Radio Patrol (serial)

Radio Patrol was a 1937 Universal Pictures movie serial based on the popular comic strip of the same name, created by Charles Schmidt (Charlie Schmidt) and Ed Ellis. The serial starred Grant Withers as Patrolman Sam Doyle and Kay Hughes as Molly O'Day.

The plot revolved around Doyle and O'Day, police officers navigating various criminal cases and conspiracies. The duo used their police radio to stay in contact with headquarters and track down criminals. Common serial tropes were utilized, including cliffhangers at the end of each chapter to entice audiences to return for the next installment. The serial consisted of 12 chapters, each running approximately 20 minutes.

The serial is notable for being one of the earlier examples of bringing a comic strip to the screen in serial format. It was directed by Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith. While not a critical darling, Radio Patrol was a popular offering in its time, appealing to audiences familiar with the comic strip and those who enjoyed action-packed crime stories. Like many serials of the era, it was produced on a low budget, resulting in somewhat crude special effects and action sequences by modern standards. The serial is considered a significant piece of early comic-strip adaptation in cinema.