Terry and the Pirates (1940) is the 10th film serial released by Columbia. It is based on the comic stripTerry and the Pirates created by Milton Caniff. In his biography, Meanwhile..., Caniff stated that he hated the serial for changing so much of his comic strip, and that "I saw the first chapter and walked out screaming".
Plot
Young explorer Terry Lee and his grown-up sidekick, Pat Ryan, arrive in the Asian jungles in search of Terry's father, Dr. Herbert Lee. The elder Lee is an archaeologist, and the leader of a scientific expedition seeking evidence of a lost civilization. Soon, Terry discovers that his father has been kidnapped by an armed pirate gang known as the Leopard Men. The gang is led by the evil Master Fang, a local warlord who controls half of the natives and holds the white settlers in fear. Fang is seeking the riches hidden beneath the Sacred Temple of Mara. Terry meets the Dragon Lady, who is determined that her kingdom shall not be invaded. Attacked by Fang, his henchman Stanton, and the Leopard Men, Terry and Pat try valiantly to locate the missing Dr. Lee, uncover the secrets of the lost civilization, and recover the hidden treasure of Mara. After joining forces with Connie, Normandie, and the Dragon Lady, the heroes have myriad varied adventures in the inhospitable environment.
