When delusional madman Roxor kidnaps a scientist in hopes of using his death ray to achieve world dominance, he is opposed by Chandu, a powerful hypnotist and yogi.When delusional madman Roxor kidnaps a scientist in hopes of using his death ray to achieve world dominance, he is opposed by Chandu, a powerful hypnotist and yogi.When delusional madman Roxor kidnaps a scientist in hopes of using his death ray to achieve world dominance, he is opposed by Chandu, a powerful hypnotist and yogi.
- Betty Lou Regent
- (as June Vlasek)
- Bobby Regent
- (as Nestor Aber)
- Yogi Teacher
- (uncredited)
- One of Roxor's Henchmen
- (uncredited)
- Bidder at Slave Market
- (uncredited)
- One of Roxor's Henchmen
- (uncredited)
- Ali
- (uncredited)
- Bidder at Slave Market
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis movie was based on "Chandu the Magician," a radio show that was airing at the time. Chandu was the basis for many of the later magician characters, including DC's Sandor the Mystic and Marvel Comics's Dr. Strange.
- GoofsDuring the scene where Chandu sneaks into the slave auction by luring the guard away with an astral projection. The guard chases the illusion, corner it, only to see it disappear before him. Shot over his shoulder we see him raise his hands in amazement and drop his rifle. There is a cut and the new angle shows the guard from the front with a look of stupefaction on his face - but still holding the gun.
- Quotes
Yogi Teacher: Thou has done well, my son. To few, indeed, of thy race have the secrets of the yogi been revealed.
Chandu - aka Frank Chandler: To you, my teacher, I express my thanks. What more can I learn?
Yogi Teacher: Nothing now. The world needs thee. Go forth in the youth and strength and conquer the evil that threatens Mankind.
- Crazy creditsA magician's hand waves the opening credits on and off the screen.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Masters of Magic: The World of ''Chandu'' (2008)
- SoundtracksHow Dry I Am
(uncredited)
Music by Arthur Fields
Lyrics by Fred Hall
In the score when Miggles is about to take a drink
Chandu (Edmund Lowe) is a magician who seems to just be "graduating" as the film begins with a ceremony full of mumbo jumbo that I cannot make sense of even when I rewind and replay it several times. Chandu finds out that his brother-in-law, who was working on a death ray invention, has been kidnapped by Roxor (Bela Lugosi), and so he rushes to his sister's side to protect her and her daughter and try to save his brother-in-law before Roxor can learn the secret of the death ray. And what does Roxor want? Power? RIches? Fame? no he wants to destroy society so mankind will revert to beasts and he can be the smartest guy in the world. Weird. I guess this is what happens when a sociopath is forced to wear a dunce cap as a kid.
If this sounds like something out of silent film, that is how it plays out too. The romance scenes, the action scenes, everything plays out with silent film technique in direction and acting. I generally really like Edmund Lowe and his roles, so I have to lay this at the feet of the director. I could take this in stride in 1929 and 1930 during the transition to sound, but that time is long over.
Probably the most tiresome character, though, is Albert, Chandu's loyal companion. He is cowardly, a drunk, and always having to be rescued by Chandu even though saving Albert from himself is NOT his primary mission. Prohibition was still in force, so maybe all of these unfunny drunks I encounter in these Prohibition era films are supposed to be knocks at an unpopular law. But today, it's just not funny.
Mildly recommended for fans of Edmund Lowe and Bela Lugosi.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origen
- Language
- Also known as
- Čandu, gospodar sveta
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $349,456 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 11 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1