Plot: L. E. Thal (Edward Ashley), a discredited doctor, obtains a mysterious gas that has criminal possibilities. Gruesome (Boris Karloff) and his pal Melody (Tony Barrett) visit Thal's laboratory, where Gruesome takes a whiff of the gas and is presumed dead. In the morgue Gruesome revives, escapes from police officer Pat Patton (Lyle Latell), and he and Meldoy use the gas to stage a daring bank robbery. Tess Trueheart (Anne Gwynne), witnesses the robbery and telephones her sweetheart, police detective Dick Tracy (Ralph Byrd), but the bandits have fled when Tracy arrives. Tracy learns from Doctor I.M. Learned (June Clayworth), that the inventor of the gas, Dr. A. Tomic (Milton Parsons), is missing. Gruesome and Melody, fleeing from Tracy and Patton in a car chase, have a wreck and Gruesome escapes and the injured Melody is taken to a hospital. Knowing that Gruesome will come for his pal, Tracy takes his place in the hospital bed.
Alternative Plot: On-the-lam prisoner Gruesome (Boris Karloff) uses toxic gas to pull off a bank heist. Eyewitness to the crime is Tess Truehart (Anne Gwynne), who calls on police Detective Dick Tracy (Ralph Byrd) to investigate. With few leads from the bank's incapacitated customers, and press coverage threatening to create chaos, the crime fighter is in a tough spot. When Tracy learns about the mysterious disappearance of a doctor, however, it may provide the crucial break he needs to solve the crime.
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