Bela Lugosi takes second billing to Ralph Byrd in "S.O.S. Coastguard." As Mastermind Boroff, Lugosi performs most of his scenes from his villain's underground lair. In many ways, Boroff is the prototype villain of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels; especially Doctor No and Hugo Drax. Boroff's bald henchman is the ansestor of Odd Job, Red Grant and Jaws.
This serial has some great stunts and good cliffhanger conclusions in the grand tradition of Rebublic serials.