DICK TRACY'S G-MEN

B&W, 15 chapter serial

Released: Sept. - Dec. 1939

Cast: Ralph Byrd, Phylis Isley (as Gwen Andrews), Irving Pichel, Ted Pearson, Kenneth Harlan, Julian Madison.

Director: William Witney, John English

Complete Credits at IMDB

 
A popular film device in the thirties was the serial, in which weekly installments ended with the hero in a jeopardizing situation which would insure that audiences would return again the following week to see what the outcome would be. Phylis's second assignment at Republic was this Dick Tracy serial in which she was the only female cast member, playing Tracy's secretary. Her 204 words consisted mainly of relaying telephone messages to her boss.

Although Republic had future roles for Phylis, including one opposite Roy Rogers, she was discouraged with her assignments and asked to be relieved from her contract so that she and Robert could return to New York and pursue work in the theater. The studio refused her request but changed their mind when Phylis asked her father to intervene. Phil Isley, whose theater chain frequently showed Republic films, had considerable clout with the studio, and they agreed to terminate Phylis's contract.

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