Mysterious Doctor Satan (1940)

Bob Wayne: Then some of the rumors about this mysterious Dr. Satan are true!
Gov. Bronson [Ch. 1]: All of them are probably true! Dr. Satan's spies have penetrated even the police department. The situation is so serious that I'm going to call four companies of the National Guard!

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Prof. Thomas Scott: Dr. Satan! What do you want with me?
Doctor Satan: I want a complete set of plans for your remote-control cell. If you care to be reasonable in the matter, you'll be handsomely rewarded.
Prof. Thomas Scott: I refuse to give them to you at any price!
Doctor Satan: You're testing that invention tonight on Turner's yacht. Your daughter is aboard that yacht. My men have wired explosives into the fuel tanks. The fuse is connected with the speed indicator. When the boat attains a speed of 25 knots, those charges will be fired.
Prof. Thomas Scott: I don't believe it! I still refuse to give you the plans!
Doctor Satan: I anticipated you might be stubborn. Perhaps a little time might change your mind... particularly when you realize that each minute will bring your daughter a minute closer to death!

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When this serial was being written, it was intended to be a series that utilized Superman as the main hero. The owners of Superman decided they didn't want to let the studio use the character. Instead of scraping the project altogether, the writers replaced Superman with a character of their own creation, called The Copperhead.
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