Chandu the Magician (radio)
Encyclopedia
Chandu the Magician, one of the longest running radio adventure serials, was heard on several different networks and aired in two distinctly different series, one in the 1930s and a revival 12 years later in the 1940s and 1950s. The series was created by Harry A. Earnshaw (1878–1953) and Raymond R. Morgan.
, expanding in the mid-1930s to the Midwest on Mutual
. The series was sponsored by White King Soap in the West and by Beech Nut Gum in the East.
Gayne Whitman
played the lead role of American-born Frank Chandler, who had learned occult secrets from a yogi in India. Known as Chandu, he possessed several supernatural skills, including astral projection, teleportation and the ability to create illusions. Chandu's goal was to "go forth with his youth and strength to conquer the evil that threatens mankind."
His sister, Dorothy Regent, was portrayed by Margaret MacDonald. Cyril Armbrister directed the scripts by Vera Oldham which took Chandu to far-flung locales, both real and mythical. Romantic interludes for Chandu were introduced with Egyptian Princess Nadji (Veola Vonn). Music was first furnished by Felix Mills and then Raymond Paige. According to Veola Vonn, the program was broadcast from the KHJ building on Melrose Avenue; the KHJ building is still standing, although the KHJ studios are long gone.
In 1932, Walter Winchell
noted, "One of the smaller radio chains has a feature called Chandu, which is Hindu-Chinese for an opium preparation. In fewer words--Dope."
In 1935, the production moved to WGN Chicago with a new cast, including Howard Hoffman in the title role and Cornelia Osgood as Dorothy. Her children, Bob and Betty, were played by Olan Soule
and Audrey McGrath. This series came to an end in 1936,
as the villainous Roxor plotting world domination. With Howard Culver
as the announcer and music by organist Korla Pandit
, that series continued until January 28, 1949. The serial continuity was dropped February 2, 1949 in favor of 30-minute episodes, each with a self-contained storyline, continuing in that format until April 28, 1949. Culver often read commercials with Pandit's organ music in the background.
On October 15, 1949, Chandu the Magician moved to ABC where it was heard Saturdays at 7:30pm until June and then on Wednesdays at 9:30pm. The last broadcast was September 6, 1950.
was produced as a film, with Edmund Lowe
as Chandu and Bela Lugosi
as Roxor. In The Return of Chandu (1934) Lugosi portrayed Chandu. On February 26, 1934, the "Looking Back" column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, noted:
The original version
Launched October 10, 1932 on KHJ in Los Angeles, the series was soon heard through the West Coast when broadcast on the Don Lee NetworkDon Lee (broadcaster)
Donald Musgrave Lee was the exclusive west coast distributor of Cadillac automobiles in the early 20th century. In 1919 Lee purchased the Earl Automobile Works of Hollywood, California. Harley Earl, the son of the company's owner, was kept on as manager...
, expanding in the mid-1930s to the Midwest on Mutual
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
. The series was sponsored by White King Soap in the West and by Beech Nut Gum in the East.
Gayne Whitman
Gayne Whitman
Albert Gayne Whitman was an American radio and film actor. He appeared in 213 films between 1904 and 1957.He was born in Chicago, Illinois...
played the lead role of American-born Frank Chandler, who had learned occult secrets from a yogi in India. Known as Chandu, he possessed several supernatural skills, including astral projection, teleportation and the ability to create illusions. Chandu's goal was to "go forth with his youth and strength to conquer the evil that threatens mankind."
His sister, Dorothy Regent, was portrayed by Margaret MacDonald. Cyril Armbrister directed the scripts by Vera Oldham which took Chandu to far-flung locales, both real and mythical. Romantic interludes for Chandu were introduced with Egyptian Princess Nadji (Veola Vonn). Music was first furnished by Felix Mills and then Raymond Paige. According to Veola Vonn, the program was broadcast from the KHJ building on Melrose Avenue; the KHJ building is still standing, although the KHJ studios are long gone.
In 1932, Walter Winchell
Walter Winchell
Walter Winchell was an American newspaper and radio gossip commentator.-Professional career:Born Walter Weinschel in New York City, he left school in the sixth grade and started performing in a vaudeville troupe known as Gus Edwards' "Newsboys Sextet."His career in journalism was begun by posting...
noted, "One of the smaller radio chains has a feature called Chandu, which is Hindu-Chinese for an opium preparation. In fewer words--Dope."
In 1935, the production moved to WGN Chicago with a new cast, including Howard Hoffman in the title role and Cornelia Osgood as Dorothy. Her children, Bob and Betty, were played by Olan Soule
Olan Soule
Olan Soule was an American character actor with hundreds of credits in films, radio, commercials, television and animation.-Early life:...
and Audrey McGrath. This series came to an end in 1936,
Revival
Twelve years later, the series was revived on Mutual June 28, 1948 as a 15-minute weekday program, starring Tom Collins as Chandu and Luis van RootenLuis van Rooten
Luis van Rooten, was an American film actor. He was christened Luis d'Antin van Rooten.Van Rooten earned his BA at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as an architect before deciding to pursue film work in Hollywood during World War II...
as the villainous Roxor plotting world domination. With Howard Culver
Howard Culver
Howard Culver was an American radio and television actor, best known as hotel clerk Howie Uzzell during the entire run of TV's Gunsmoke...
as the announcer and music by organist Korla Pandit
Korla Pandit
Korla Pandit , born John Roland Redd in St. Louis, Missouri, was a musician, composer, pianist, organist and television pioneer. He was known as the Godfather of Exotica.-Early career:...
, that series continued until January 28, 1949. The serial continuity was dropped February 2, 1949 in favor of 30-minute episodes, each with a self-contained storyline, continuing in that format until April 28, 1949. Culver often read commercials with Pandit's organ music in the background.
On October 15, 1949, Chandu the Magician moved to ABC where it was heard Saturdays at 7:30pm until June and then on Wednesdays at 9:30pm. The last broadcast was September 6, 1950.
Adaptations
In 1932 Chandu the MagicianChandu the Magician (film)
Chandu the Magician is a 1932 American mystery film starring Edmund Lowe as a Magician/Yogi secret agent, Frank Chandler and Bela Lugosi as the megalomaniac villain Roxor, that he must stop. Based on the radio play of the same name, written by Harry A. Earnshaw, Vera M. Oldham and R.R. Morgan...
was produced as a film, with Edmund Lowe
Edmund Lowe
Edmund Dantes Lowe was an American actor. His formative experience began in vaudeville and silent film. He was born in San Jose, California.-Film career:...
as Chandu and Bela Lugosi
Béla Lugosi
Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó , commonly known as Bela Lugosi, was a Hungarian actor of stage and screen. He was best known for having played Count Dracula in the Broadway play and subsequent film version, as well as having starred in several of Ed Wood's low budget films in the last years of his...
as Roxor. In The Return of Chandu (1934) Lugosi portrayed Chandu. On February 26, 1934, the "Looking Back" column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, noted:
- Radio fans who have been enjoying the Chandu the Magician broadcasts, which have been sponsored by the National Grocery and Reliance Coffee, will be happy to know that the program has been made into a talking picture. The broadcast which is regularly heard over KFQD, can be seen at the Empress Theater for this premier production.
Original series episodes
- 03/17/32 # 9 Transferred To Egypt
- 03/23/32 # 13 The Slave Auction
- 04/12/32 # 27 Important Papers Missing
- 04/13/32 # 28 Betty & Bob Disappear
- 04/20/32 # 33 Abdallah Joins Chandu
- 04/21/32 # 34 Held At Gunpoint
- 05/30/32 # 61 Finds Hidden Passageway
- 05/31/32 # 62 Captured By Roxor
- 09/12/32 #136 Chandu Warns Nicky
- 09/13/32 #137 Betty Reminisces
- 09/14/32 #138 Gunfire Heard
- 09/30/32 #150 Learns Estaben's Identity
- 10/03/32 #151 Nadji Disappears
- 10/04/32 #152 Dimitri Defeated
- 10/05/32 #153 Exposes Count To Nicholas
- 10/06/32 #154 Saves Nadji From Fire
- 10/07/32 #155 Leaving After The Fire
- 10/11/32 #157 Warns Murderer
- 10/12/32 #158 Yogi Warns Chandu
- 10/13/32 #159 The Clock Strikes Five
- 11/08/32 #177 News Of Robert's Whereabouts
- 11/16/32 #183 Will Chandu Save Dorothy
- 11/17/32 #184 Magic Fails
- 11/18/32 #185 Chandu & Betty Visit Dorothy
- 11/21/32 #186 Cobra Decides Fate
- 11/22/32 #187 Bob Plans A Swap
- 11/23/32 #188 To The Temple
- 11/24/32 #189 Robert Returns
- 11/25/32 #190 Finds Betty & Bob
- 11/28/32 #191 Dr. Shaw & Black Magic
- 11/29/32 #192 Nadji Arrives
- 11/30/32 #193 Magic Successful
- 01/27/33 #235 In Algiers
- 01/30/33 #236 Buying Perfume
- 01/31/33 #237 Sees Nicholas
- 02/01/33 #238 Warning From Chandu
- 02/03/33 #240 Motor Trouble
- 02/06/33 #241 Family Reunited
- 02/07/33 #242 Betty & Bob Sneak Out
- 02/08/33 #243 Tells Story
- 02/09/33 #244 Note From Dimitri
- 02/10/33 #245 Blank Letter
- 02/13/33 #246 At Dimitri's Villa
- 02/14/33 #247 Driver Flees
- 02/15/33 #248 Nicky's Information
- 02/16/33 #249 Crystal Smashed
- 02/17/33 #250 Snake Charmer
- 02/20/33 #251 Discuss Situation
- 02/21/33 #252 Locked In Inner Room
- 02/22/33 #253 Chandu Recognized
- 02/23/33 #254 Note Found
- 04/17/33 #291 Water Supply Low
- 04/18/33 #292 Crystal Vision Fulfilled
- 04/19/33 #293 Nadji Is Murder Suspect
- 04/20/33 #294 Cigarette Poison Discovered
- 04/21/33 #295 Vindion Spotted
- 04/24/33 #296 A Man Looks Like Vindion
- 04/25/33 #297 Native Tells A Story
- 04/26/33 #298 Aboard The Liner
- 04/27/33 #299 The Island Of Lura
- 05/01/33 #301 At The Entrance Of The Cave
- 05/02/33 #302 Drums Underground
- 05/03/33 #303 Bob Explores The Cave
- 05/04/33 #304 Nadji Gives Chandu A Warning
- 05/05/33 #305 Vindion Talks To His People (Several Skips)
- 05/08/33 #306 Nadji Is Convinced She Must Stay
- 05/09/33 #307 Vindion Forced To Awaked The Children
- 05/10/33 #308 Vindion Tries To Stop Chandu
- 05/11/33 #309 Bob Finds Poison And A Letter
- 05/17/33 #313 Drawings From Limura
- 05/23/33 #317 Nadji Is Afraid Of Vitrius
- 05/24/33 #318 In Vitrius' Observatory
- 05/25/33 #319 Vitrius' Telescope Is A Radio
- 05/26/33 #320 Plans To The Ruined Temple
- 05/29/33 #321 Vitrius Changes Plans
- 05/30/33 #322 Bob & Betty Worried About Their Mother
- 05/31/33 #323 The Temple Of Death
- 06/01/33 #324 Vitrius Thought Chandler Was Dead
- 07/07/33 #350 Mrs. Regis Meets With Mr. Motleon
- 08/21/33 #381 Preparing For The Next Trip
- 10/24/34 ## Chandu Warns Nicholas
- 10/25/34 ## Betty Reminisces
- 10/26/34 ## Gunfire Heard
- 10/29/34 ## Estaben's Identity Is Learned
- 10/30/34 ## Nadji Disappears
- 10/31/34 ## Dimitri Defeated
- 11/01/34 ## Exposes Count To Nicholas
- 11/02/34 ## Nadji Saved From Fire
- 11/06/34 ## Miniature Statue Recovered
- 11/08/34 ## Cafe Waiter Is Otto
- 11/09/34 ## Yogi Warns Chandu
- 11/20/34 ## News Of Robert's Location
- 12/19/32 ## Will Chandu Save Dorothy
- 12/20/34 ## Magic Fails
- 12/21/34 ## Chandu & Betty Visit Dorothy
- 12/25/34 ## Bob Plans A Swap
- 12/26/34 ## To The Temple
- 12/27/34 ## Robert Returns
- 12/28/34 ## Bob & Betty Found
- 12/31/34 ## Dr Shaw & Black Magic
- 12/22/34 ## Cobra Decides Fate
- 01/01/35 ## Nadji Arrives
- 01/02/35 ## Magic Successful
- 06/24/35 ## Adrift at Sea
- 06/25/35 ## Poison Death
- 06/26/35 ## Nadji Is Accused
- 06/27/35 ## Cigarettes Of Death
- 06/28/35 ## Rescue at Sea
- 07/01/35 ## The Island Of Suva
- 07/02/35 ## MrWilson's Charter Boat
- 07/03/35 ## The Footprint
- 07/04/35 ## Vindion Strikes
- 07/06/35 ## The Search For Nadji
- 07/07/35 ## Desertion
- 07/09/35 ## The Cave
- 07/11/35 ## Reunited
- 07/12/35 ## Another Encounter
- 07/15/35 ## Rescued
- 07/16/35 ## The Power Of Chandu
- 07/17/35 ## The Awakening
- 07/18/35 ## Wilson's Mission
- 07/23/35 ## The Palace Of The Secret Star
- 07/30/35 ## A Mental Picture
- 07/31/35 ## Rescued Again
- 08/01/35 ## The Devious Plot
- 08/02/35 ## Beware Of Vitrius
- 08/05/35 ## Marshall Is Captured
- 08/06/35 ## A Message In Code
- 08/07/35 ## Clash Of The Wizards
- 08/08/35 ## Chandu Victorious
- 09/13/35 ## Ruby Mine In Burma
Revival episodes
- 06/28/48 # 1 Chandler Returns
- 06/29/48 # 2 Secret Papers Missing
- 06/30/48 # 3 Is Regent Alive?
- 07/01/48 # 4 In Alexandria
- 07/02/48 # 5 Dorothy Disappears
- 07/05/48 # 6 Search For Dorothy
- 07/06/48 # 7 Slave Auction Rescue
- 07/07/48 # 8 To Cairo
- 07/08/48 # 9 Blue Flame
- 07/09/48 # 10 Secret Place
- 07/12/48 # 11 Note From Nadji
- 07/13/48 # 12 Betty Meets Abdullah
- 07/14/48 # 13 Chandu Meets Nadji
- 07/15/48 # 14 Betty Is Kidnapped
- 07/19/48 # 15 Betty Is Found
- 07/20/48 # 16 Roxor Meets Nadji
- 07/21/48 # 17 Secret Entrance
- 07/22/48 # 18 Spell On Dorothy
- 07/23/48 # 19 Crystal Ball
- 07/26/48 # 20 Breaking The Spell
- 07/27/48 # 21 Betty & Bob Disappear
- 07/28/48 # 22 Secret Door
- 07/29/48 # 23 Roxor Threatens Death
- 07/30/48 # 24 Bob Rescued
- 08/02/48 # 25 Abdullah Disappears
- 08/03/48 # 26 Emerald Casket
- 08/04/48 # 27 Disappearing Ink
- 08/05/48 # 28 Looking For Casket
- 08/06/48 # 29 Sick Camel
- 08/09/48 # 30 Trouble With Guides
- 08/10/48 # 31 Low Water Supply
- 08/11/48 # 32 Abdullah's Affections
- 08/12/48 # 33 Gordon Douglas
- 08/13/48 # 34 Douglas' Dinner
- 08/16/48 # 35 Douglas Is An Imposter
- 08/17/48 # 36 Finding A Letter
- 08/18/48 # 37 Nile Cruise
- 08/19/48 # 38 Chandu's Disguise
- 08/20/48 # 39 Manuscript Found
- 08/23/48 # 40 Douglas Tells Roxor
- 08/24/48 # 41 Letter Arrives
- 08/25/48 # 42 Roxor's Plans
- 08/26/48 # 43 Fraud's Identity
- 08/27/48 # 44 Abdullah Stabbed
- 08/30/48 # 45 Inquest Planned
- 08/31/48 # 46 Douglas Disappears
- 09/01/48 # 47 Lost In The Catacombs
- 09/02/48 # 48 Chandu's Rescue
- 09/03/48 # 49 Roxor Is Alive
- 09/06/48 # 50 Chandu Escapes
- 09/07/48 # 51 Reaching The Ruins
- 09/08/48 # 52 Judy Allen
- 09/09/48 # 53 Torture Chamber
- 09/10/48 # 54 Story Teller
- 09/13/48 # 55 Cairo Restaurant
- 09/14/48 # 56 Robert's Ring
- 09/15/48 # 57 Arenia The Spider
- 09/16/48 # 58 Curse On Betty
- 09/17/48 # 59 Ben Ali's House
- 09/20/48 # 60 Opening The Letter
- 09/21/48 # 61 Sonya Shoots Nadji
- 09/22/48 # 62 Betty & Bob Run
- 09/23/48 # 63 Arenia Is Shot
- 09/24/48 # 64 Message For Nadji
- 09/27/48 # 65 Mirror Of Life
- 09/28/48 # 66 Roxor Is Killed
- 09/29/48 # 67 Exploring The Garden
- 09/30/48 # 68 Family Is Reunited
- 10/01/48 # 69 Explosion
- 10/04/48 # 70 Contacts Dorothy
- 10/05/48 # 71 Gardener Recognized
- 10/06/48 # 72 Bribery Attempt
- 10/07/48 # 73 Secret Meeting
- 10/08/48 # 74 Landmark Spotted
- 10/11/48 # 75 Map Found
- 10/12/48 # 76 Fortune Told
- 10/13/48 # 77 Dancing Partner Recognized
- 10/14/48 # 78 Meets Dimitri
- 10/15/48 # 79 Spell Cast On Bob
- 10/18/48 # 80 Gypsy Coming After Betty & Bob
- 10/19/48 # 81 Dimitri Asked To Leave
- 10/20/48 # 82 Castle Plans Found
- 10/21/48 # 83 Warning From Nadji
- 10/22/48 # 84 Advice For Nicholas
- 10/25/48 # 85 Tells About Plans
- 10/26/48 # 86 Spell Cast
- 10/27/48 # 87 Nadji Told Of Curse
- 10/28/48 # 88 Looking For Dorothy
- 10/29/48 # 89 Finding Dorothy's Hat
- 11/01/48 # 90 Nicholas Has Disappeared
- 11/02/48 # 91 Trying To Escape
- 11/03/48 # 92 Thinks Nicholas Is In The Castle
- 11/04/48 # 93 Nicholas Found
- 11/05/48 # 94 Dwarf Spotted
- 11/08/48 # 95 Chandler Admits Real Mission
- 11/09/48 # 96 To Go To Schmitar Mountain
- 11/10/48 # 97 Call From Paris
- 11/11/48 # 98 Threat From Dimitri
- 11/12/48 # 99 Stranger Spotted
- 11/15/48 #100 Fortune Told
- 11/16/48 #101 Chandler Trapped
- 11/17/48 #102 Enters Cave
- 11/18/48 #103 Learns Estaben's Identity
- 11/19/48 #104 Influences Dimitri
- 11/22/48 #105 Metso's Killed
- 11/23/48 #106 Spell Broken
- 11/24/48 #107 Threat From Dwarf
- 11/25/48 #108 Nadji Arrives
- 11/26/48 #109 Fire
- 11/29/48 #110 Chandler Escapes Fire
- 11/30/48 #111 Forged Letter
- 12/01/48 #112 Nadji Leaves
- 12/02/48 #113 Lupu Arrives
- 12/03/48 #114 Chandler Discovered
- 12/06/48 #115 Reveals Himself As Chandu (Dropout)
- 12/07/48 #116 Kingdom Regained
- 12/08/48 #117 Phone Call From Robert
- 12/09/48 #118 Lab Emptied
- 12/10/48 #119 Gomez Spotted
- 12/13/48 #120 Robert Seen In Crystal
- 12/14/48 #121 Learns Roxor's Location
- 12/15/48 #122 Wants To Enter Village Of The Lost
- 12/16/48 #123 Jeff Worried
- 12/17/48 #124 Warned About Jeff
- 12/20/48 #125 Jeff's New Mission
- 12/21/48 #126 House In The Desert
- 12/22/48 #127 Saved From Spider
- 12/23/48 #128 Jeff Found
- 12/24/48 #129 Tries To Contact Robert
- 12/27/48 #130 Imposter Found Out
- 12/28/48 #131 Robert Found
- 12/29/48 #132 Story Told
- 12/30/48 #133 Looking For Betty
- 12/31/48 #134 Dorothy In Temple
- 01/03/49 #135 Talks To Chief
- 01/04/49 #136 Fate To Be Decided Soo
- 01/05/49 #137 Fails Cobra Test
- 01/06/49 #138 Refuses Escape Plan
- 01/07/49 #139 Robert Returns
- 01/10/49 #140 Truth About Dr. Shaw
- 01/11/49 #141 Help From Yogi
- 01/12/49 #142 Murderer Revealed
- 01/13/49 #143 Dorothy Safe
- 01/14/49 #144 Planning Tiger Hunt
- 01/17/49 #145 Tiger Killed
- 01/18/49 #146 Saves Lao Sing (Faulty)
- 01/19/49 #147 In Calcutta
- 01/20/49 #148 Dinner Invitation
- 01/21/49 #149 Dr. Shaw In Calcutta
- 01/24/49 #150 Under Dr. Shaw's Influence
- 01/25/49 #151 Impersonates Chandler
- 01/26/49 #152 Bob Missing
- 01/27/49 #153 Strange Markings
- 01/28/49 #154 Frank Returns To India
- 02/03/49 # 1 The Black Steps
- 02/10/49 # 2 The Village Of Thieves
- 02/17/49 # 3 Man With The Photographic Memory
- 02/24/49 # 4 The Brotherhood Of The Blood Oath
- 03/03/49 # 5 The Spell Of Dimitri
- 03/10/49 # 6 Framed For Drug Smuggling
- 03/17/49 # 7 The Temple At Karnak
- 03/24/49 # 8 Temple Under The Sea
- 03/31/49 # 9 The House Of Fear
- 04/14/49 #11 The Voice Of Darkness
- 04/21/49 #12 The Ominous Sahara
- 04/28/49 #13 The Fog On The Forgotten Valley
- 07/26/50 Rocket Sabotage
- 08/02/50 Clever Jeff Adams
- 08/09/50 Henry the Dress Designer
- 08/16/50 Black Market Hi-Jackers