Perils of the Secret Service

Perils of the Secret Service is a 1917 silent adventure told as a nine chapter serial in which a determined undercover operative confronts a shadowy conspiracy that spans borders and motives. Yorke Norroy, a high born secret service agent, navigates a web of danger as he uncovers coded clues, forged identities, and a ring of international villains. Across episodes with titles like The Last Cigarette and The International Spy, the action moves from lit city streets to murky interiors, staging suspense through cliffhangers, chase sequences, and narrow escapes. The tone blends espionage with pulp flair, keeping motives murky while duty pulls the hero forward. The serial format invites suspense as clues reappear and characters redraw lines of allegiance across continents.

Released in 1917 as a nine part silent movie serial, it was directed by Hal Mohr, George Bronson Howard, and Jack Wells. The project appears to be an original serial rather than adapted from a known work.

As a sample of early cinema's thrill driven serials, the tale leans into international intrigue and cinematic cliffhangers. Kingsley Benedict plays the reluctant sleuth Yorke Norroy opposite Jay Belasco as Carson Huntley, with mystique surrounding royalty and secret devices. Supporting players show how the network stretches beyond a single villain.

Box office data for this era is not documented. Serial grosses were often reported by theater chains as aggregate attendance rather than a single nationwide figure, making precise figures hard to verify.