Movie Magic

Please excuse my dearth of posts in the last two months. I was in a Hindu monastery in India learning hypnotism from master yogis. Nothing can stop me now. You are compelled to read about “Chandu the Magician,” a 1932 masterpiece of B movies.

What a great time in movie history! In 1932, sound had just been used in film for three years; nevertheless, most of our familiar genres were coming fully to life. Universal had launched their ‘way successful monster movies, including “Dracula,” making Bela Lugosi a star. The next year, he stole the scenery in “Chandu.” It didn’t hurt that it had the great set designer Cameron Menzies as co-director, as well as the great cinematographer James Wong Howe (who would go on to shoot “Citizen Kane). The other actors (including the lead) weren’t so brilliant, but adequate. “Chandu” completely anticipated “Indiana Jones.”

To quote a Netflix reviewer: “Eastern mysticism. mind control, exotic mountain temples, mad scientist labs, death rays and insidious deathtraps. A fearless hero, a beautiful Egyptian princess and of course a dastardly super villain bent on world destruction. It all comes together in this fantasy adventure based on a popular radio serial. The production values are superb, with wonderful sets and miniatures innovatively photographed by the legendary James Wong Howe. The action is breathless, the perils extreme, yet it's mind over matter (and some inventive special effects) that saves the day. Edmond Lowe may not have been the most charismatic choice for the mystical hero Chandu, but it's more than made up for by Bela Lugosi's wonderfully over the top performance as the sadistically evil Roxor. Lugosi is at his absolute best. This is his movie! The lovely Irene Ware is princess Nadji. June Lang and Henry Walthall have supporting roles. The perfectly transferred print and its soundtrack are in pristine condition. This may be the classiest potboiler ever. If it isn't, I would love to know what is. Incidentally, this is NOT a matinee serial or serial condensation, It is a feature film complete unto itself. FOOTNOTE: "Chandu the Magician" may have been the most popular radio serial of all time. At its peak, an astonishing 60 percent of the national radio audience, kids and adults, tuned in daily.”

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