Trader Tom of the China Seas
Trader Tom of the China Seas is a 1954 Republic film serial directed by Franklin Adreon and starring Harry Lauter, Aline Towne, Lyle Talbot, Robert Shayne, Fred Graham, and Richard Reeves. In 1966 the serial was edited into "Century 66" 100-minute television film with the new title Target: Sea of China. Plot. The United Nations has island trader Tom Rogers and Vivian Wells, daughter of a schooner captain, spearheading the effort to keep subversive native groups from starting revolutions in Burmatra and neighboring Asian countries. Production. "Trader Tom of the China Seas" was  budgeted at $172,789 although the final negative cost was $169,248 (a $3,541, or 2%, under spend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1954. It was filmed between 8 September and 28 September 1953. The serial's production number was 1937. Special Effects. Special effects were created by the Lydecker brothers. Release. Theatrical. "Trader Tom of the China Seas"'s official release date is 11 January 1954, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges. This was followed by a re-release of "Secret Service in Darkest Africa", re-titled  as "Manhunt in the African Jungles", instead of a new serial. The next new serial, "Man with the Steel Whip", followed in the summer. Television. "Trader Tom of the China Seas" was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a "Century 66" film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to "Target: Sea of China". This version was cut down to 100-minutes in length. Critical reception. Cline describes this serial as just a "quickie."