Trader Tom of the China Seas

Synopsis

The United Nations has island trader Tom Rogers and Vivian Wells, daughter of a schooner captain, spearheading the effort to keep subversive native groups from starting revolutions in Burmatra and neighboring Asian countries...

Cast

Production

Trader Tom of the China Seas was budgeted at $172,789 although the final negative cost was $169,248 (a $3,541, or 2%, under spend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1954. It was filmed between 8 September and 28 September 1953. The serial's production number was 1937.

Stunts

Special Effects

Special effects were created by the Lydecker brothers.

Theatrical

Trader Tom of the China Seas's official release date is 11 January 1954, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges. This was followed by a re-release of Secret Service in Darkest Africa, re-titled as Manhunt in the African Jungles, instead of a new serial. The next new serial, Man with the Steel Whip, followed in the summer.

Television

Trader Tom of the China Seas was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to Target: Sea of China. This version was cut down to 100-minutes in length.

Critical reception

Cline describes this serial as just a "quickie."

Chapter titles

1. Sea Saboteurs (20min)
2. Death Takes the Deck (13min 20s)
3. Five Fathoms Down (13min 20s)
4. On Target (13min 20s)
5. The Fire Ship (13min 20s)
6. Collision (13min 20s)
7. War in the Hills (13min 20s)
8. Native Execution (13min 20s)
9. Mass Attack (13min 20s)
10. Machine Murder (13min 20s) - a re-cap chapter
11. Underwater Ambush (13min 20s)
12. Twisted Vengeance (13min 20s)

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