The Phantom of the Air is a 12-episode 1933 Pre-Code Universal film serial directed by Ray Taylor. The film stars Tom Tyler, who was cast most often in Westerns. Other actors include Gloria Shea, LeRoy Mason, Craig Reynolds and William Desmond. Plot Scientist Thomas Edmunds (William Desmond) and his daughter Mary (Gloria Shea) attend the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio to find a pilot. They select pilot Bob Raymond (Tom Tyler) from the U.S. Border Patrol, to demonstrate an anti-gravity device called the "Contragrav". At the air meet, Mortimer Crome (LeRoy Mason), a friend of Mary, is his main rival and has his henchman "Skip" (Walter Brennan) sabotage Raymond's aircraft prior to the air race. Raymond crashes but survives. Edmunds' invention is sought after by a gang of smugglers led by Crome who owns the International Import & Export Company, who wants the invention. The inventor has a secret airfield in a desert region. Raymond comes to the inventor's aid, using another of Edwards' inventions, the superplane, the "Phantom." Able to control the aircraft remotely from an underground headquarters, Bob foils Crome's plans. Gloria has become Bob's love interest. A last attempt to get at the inventor's work leads to an explosion at his workshop that kills the criminals. Edmunds escapes and is reunited with Gloria and Bob. Chapter titles The Great Air Meet The Secret of the Desert The Avenging Phantom The Battle in the Clouds Terror of the Heights A Wild Ride The Jaws of Death Aflame in the Sky The Attack The Runaway Plane In the Enemy's Hands Safe Landing Source: Cast Tom Tyler as Captain Bob Raymond Gloria Shea as Mary Edmunds LeRoy Mason as Mort Crome, head of a gang of smugglers Craig Reynolds as Blade, Raymonds' sidekick William Desmond as Mr Thomas Edmunds Sidney Bracey as Munsa Walter Brennan as "Skip" Jennie Cramer as Marie Cecil Kellogg as Joe Edmund Cobb as Bart, one of Crome's henchmen Bud Osborne as Spike, one of Crome's henchmen Nelson McDowell as Scotty Tom London as Jim Ethan Laidlaw as Durkin, one of Crome's henchmen Al Ferguson as Al, one of Crome's henchmen Production The numerous aircraft in The Phantom of the Air include: Travel Air 2000 c/n 456, NC4958 Travel Air B-4000 c/n 1177, NC631H Travel Air 16K c/n 16K-2001, NR446W Standard J-1 Curtiss JN-4 Stearman C3B Emsco B7-C c/n 1, NC969-Y Travel Air R Mystery