X Marks the Spot (1942) Public Domain Film --- Director: George Sherman Studio: Republic Pictures Starring: Damian O'Flynn, Helen Parrish, Dick Purcell, Neil Hamilton Release Date: December 24, 1942 Runtime: 55 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Crime | Drama | War --- Summary: This wartime crime drama follows Eddie Delaney, a U.S. Army Intelligence officer and part-time police detective, who’s on a mission to bust a tire-theft ring that's profiting off wartime shortages. When Eddie's police officer father is murdered during the investigation, the case becomes personal. Eddie’s pursuit of justice leads him into the seedy underbelly of black-market racketeering in WWII-era America. --- Background: Released during World War II, X Marks the Spot is both a crime thriller and a piece of wartime propaganda, emphasizing loyalty, sacrifice, and the dangers of profiteering. It uses patriotic themes and gritty action sequences to reinforce the wartime morale of the 1940s American public. --- Trivia: A remake of a 1931 film of the same name. Republic Pictures was known for its efficient low-budget productions and serialized storytelling. The film served as a vehicle for promoting awareness of wartime corruption on the home front. Frequently included in public domain film archives and B-movie compilations. --- Hashtags: #XMarksTheSpot #WWIIFilm #PublicDomainCinema #CrimeDrama #1940sMovies #RepublicPictures #NoirStyle #VintageDetective #TireRacket #PatrioticCinema