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 (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 Gloria, 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.

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