The Return of Chandu
Encyclopedia
The Return of Chandu is a 1934 American film serial in 12 episodes based on the radio series Chandu the Magician (radio)
. It was directed by Ray Taylor
and starred Béla Lugosi
as Frank Chandler (aka Chandu the Magician). In 1935, the serial was edited down from 208 minutes to two 65 minute features, and was released as The Return of Chandu
and Chandu on the Magic Island.
, in a rare sympathetic role, plays Frank Chandler: a powerful but kind man who has spent most of his life in the Orient, where he is renowned under the name of "Chandu the Magician" for his tremendous skill with White Magic. He is in love with the Princess Nadji of Egypt, who has lately escaped to America and is now staying with the Chandler family at their home in Beverly Hills, California. Princess Nadji believes she has left her troubles behind in Egypt, but when the Chandlers hold a party in her honor, she learns that her life is still in jeopardy, as are the lives of her friends. Chandu, presently arriving home from Egypt himself, is pursued by enemies at the airport, and only escapes by using his magic ring. At the party, some shady guests conspire to poison Princess Nadji, and Chandu arrives just in time to snatch the glass of deadly wine out of her hand.
Chandu explains to Nadji what has happened, and why she is in danger. A cult of Black Magic sorcerors, the Sect of Ubasti, have recently recovered the perfectly preserved body of their last high priestess, Ossana. Legend tells that Ossana will one day be resurrected and will rule the "lost continent" of Lemuria again; however, in order to resurrect her, the Ubasti must make a human sacrifice, and the sacrifice must be an Egyptian princess of royal blood. "Princess Nadji is the only living Egyptian princess," says Chandu, "and the Ubasti will stop at nothing." The cult are determined to capture Nadji and sacrifice her to their god.
The twelve chapters of The Return of Chandu follow Chandu and his family (his sister, his nephew, and his niece) on various adventures while they struggle, by both magical and not-so-magical means, to rescue and protect Princess Nadji from the Sect of Ubasti. Their journey brings them finally to the land of Lemuria itself, where Chandu must decide whether he can renounce his love for Nadji in order to save her life.
Chandu the Magician (radio)
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 and Raymond R...
. It was directed by Ray Taylor
Ray Taylor (director)
Ray Taylor was a prolific American film director. He directed 159 films between 1926 and 1949. His debut was the 1926 film serial Fighting with Buffalo Bill.-Selected filmography:...
and starred Béla 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 Frank Chandler (aka Chandu the Magician). In 1935, the serial was edited down from 208 minutes to two 65 minute features, and was released as The Return of Chandu
The Return of Chandu
The Return of Chandu is a 1934 American film serial in 12 episodes based on the radio series Chandu the Magician . It was directed by Ray Taylor and starred Béla Lugosi as Frank Chandler...
and Chandu on the Magic Island.
Plot summary
Béla LugosiBéla 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...
, in a rare sympathetic role, plays Frank Chandler: a powerful but kind man who has spent most of his life in the Orient, where he is renowned under the name of "Chandu the Magician" for his tremendous skill with White Magic. He is in love with the Princess Nadji of Egypt, who has lately escaped to America and is now staying with the Chandler family at their home in Beverly Hills, California. Princess Nadji believes she has left her troubles behind in Egypt, but when the Chandlers hold a party in her honor, she learns that her life is still in jeopardy, as are the lives of her friends. Chandu, presently arriving home from Egypt himself, is pursued by enemies at the airport, and only escapes by using his magic ring. At the party, some shady guests conspire to poison Princess Nadji, and Chandu arrives just in time to snatch the glass of deadly wine out of her hand.
Chandu explains to Nadji what has happened, and why she is in danger. A cult of Black Magic sorcerors, the Sect of Ubasti, have recently recovered the perfectly preserved body of their last high priestess, Ossana. Legend tells that Ossana will one day be resurrected and will rule the "lost continent" of Lemuria again; however, in order to resurrect her, the Ubasti must make a human sacrifice, and the sacrifice must be an Egyptian princess of royal blood. "Princess Nadji is the only living Egyptian princess," says Chandu, "and the Ubasti will stop at nothing." The cult are determined to capture Nadji and sacrifice her to their god.
The twelve chapters of The Return of Chandu follow Chandu and his family (his sister, his nephew, and his niece) on various adventures while they struggle, by both magical and not-so-magical means, to rescue and protect Princess Nadji from the Sect of Ubasti. Their journey brings them finally to the land of Lemuria itself, where Chandu must decide whether he can renounce his love for Nadji in order to save her life.
Cast
- Béla LugosiBéla LugosiBéla 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 Frank Chandler, aka Chandu the Magician - Maria AlbaMaria AlbaMaria Alba was a Spanish-American film actress. Originally named Maria Casajuana, Alba was born in, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain on March 19, 1910, and died of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 89 in San Diego, California on October 26, 1999. She appeared in 25 feature films, starting with Road House...
as Princess Nadji - Clara Kimball YoungClara Kimball YoungClara Kimball Young was an American film actress, who was highly regarded and publicly popular in the early silent film era.-Early life:...
as Dorothy Regent - Lucien Prival as Vindhyan [Chs. 1-4]
- Dean Benton as Bob Regent
- Phyllis Ludwig as Betty Regent
- Cyril Armbrister as Henchman Sutra [Chs.1-4]
- Murdock MacQuarrieMurdock MacQuarrieMurdock MacQuarrie was an American silent film actor.Murdock began his long screen career as an actor in early films such as The Count of Monte Cristo before becoming a director at Universal.He was the brother of actors Albert MacQuarrie and Frank MacQuarrie.-1940s:* Silver City Raiders...
as The "Voice" of Ubasti [Chs. 4-12] - Wilfred LucasWilfred LucasWilfred Lucas was a Canadian stage and film actor, film director, and screenwriter.-Career:A native of Ontario, Canada, Lucas headed to New York City to work in the theater, making his Broadway acting debut in 1904 at the Savoy Theater in the production of The Superstition of Sue...
as Capt. Wilson [Chs. 4-12] - Josef SwickardJosef SwickardJosef Swickard was a German-born veteran stage and screen character actor, who had toured with stock companies in Europe, South Africa, and South America.-Career:...
as Tyba, the White Magician [Chs. 8-12] - Jack J. ClarkJack J. ClarkJack Clark was an American director and actor of the early motion picture industry.Born John J. Clark in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he became a theatrical actor and was induced to enter motion pictures in 1907 by Sidney Olcott of the New York based Kalem Studios during the silent film era...
as Vitras, High Priest of Ubasti [Chs. 4-12]
Chapter List
- The Chosen Victim
- The House in the Hills
- On the High Seas
- The Evil Eye
- The Invisible Circle
- Chandu's False Step
- Mysterious Magic
- The Edge of the Pit
- The Terror Invisible
- The Crushing Rock
- The Uplifted Knife
- The Knife Descends
See also
- Chandu the Magician (film)Chandu 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...
(where Béla Lugosi portrays the character Roxor) - Béla Lugosi filmographyBela Lugosi filmographyBela Lugosi was in a large number of movies during the course of his career. The following list is believed complete.-1910s:*Nászdal *Az Ezredes *A Régiséggyüjtö *Leoni Leo *Casanova *Lulu...