The Iron Claw (1941 serial)

The Iron Claw is a 15-chapter action-adventure film serial released by Columbia Pictures in 1941. The serial stars Charles Quigley, Iris Meredith, and Richard Fiske, and features a masked villain known as The Iron Claw.

The plot revolves around the efforts of reporter Tom Glenmore (Quigley) and newspaper owner Hazel Rand (Meredith) to expose and stop the criminal activities of The Iron Claw, who uses advanced technology and a secret identity to terrorize the city and steal valuable inventions. The serial features chases, fights, daring escapes, and cliffhanger endings typical of the genre.

Directed by James W. Horne, The Iron Claw is notable for its use of imaginative gadgets and a compelling mystery surrounding the villain's identity. It is considered a representative example of the movie serials popular during the 1940s. The Iron Claw's motivations are tied to revenge and the exploitation of scientific advancements for nefarious purposes. Throughout the serial, Tom and Hazel are constantly outwitted and imperiled by The Iron Claw, leading to numerous close calls and tense confrontations.