Adventures of Smiling Jack (1943) — Episode 4: "A Watery Doom" Genre: Adventure, War, Action, Serial Director: Lewis D. Collins, Ray Taylor Starring: Tom Brown (as Smiling Jack Martin), Rose Hobart, Edgar Barrier, Sidney Toler Runtime: Approx. 20 minutes per episode Production: Universal Pictures Summary: In Episode 4: "A Watery Doom," the peril intensifies as Smiling Jack faces new traps set by enemy agents. After surviving the fall from the sabotaged structure (cliffhanger from Episode 3), Jack immediately plunges into another deadly plot. He is captured and imprisoned near a secret enemy waterfront base, where he must use his wits and courage to escape drowning as the hideout is rigged to flood. Meanwhile, Captain Wing and the loyal Chinese resistance fighters scramble to locate Jack and stop the transmission of military secrets to the Japanese. Episode 4 ends with Jack trapped inside a rapidly filling chamber, teetering on the edge of a watery grave, just as the screen fades to "Next Episode!" Key Features: High-stakes suspense: Emphasizes drowning peril and time-sensitive escapes. Serial pacing: Quick action sequences, narrow escapes, and constant momentum keep viewers engaged. Patriotic overtones: Highlights the brave fight of Americans and their allies against Axis powers in Asia. Historical Notes: The "Smiling Jack" comic strip this serial is based on was extremely popular during WWII, especially among pilots and servicemen. Universal's wartime serials often focused on exotic settings, reflecting America’s growing involvement overseas. Public Domain Status: Adventures of Smiling Jack (including Episode 4) is considered public domain, making it widely accessible for viewing, sharing, and archiving.