Chandu, the Magician

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Chandu, the Magician

1932

1h 14m

Sci-Fi

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2 Reviews

42%

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100+ Ratings

Having mastered teleportation and other mystical powers after studying with Indian yogis for three years, Frank Chandler (Edmund Lowe) returns home. Frank hopes he won't have to use his talents, but his hand is forced when his sister Dorothy's (Virginia Hammond) inventor husband, Robert (Henry B. Walthall), is kidnapped by the evil Roxor (Bela Lugosi). The villainous mastermind wants to use Robert's new creation, a death ray, to cause widespread destruction, and only Frank can stop him.

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

This programmer benefits from solid production values -- it was shot by the legendary James Wong Howe and co-directed (with Marcel Varnel) by renowned art director William Cameron Menzies -- but the story and acting are strictly amateur hour.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 17, 2016

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

This silly fantasy sci-fi adventure film is based on a popular radio serial.

Rated: C+

Jul 22, 2011

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Audience Member

Fantastic fun and prime, sexy Lugosi in a lavish well produce non-horror film. Much better than you might expect. Raiders of the Lost Ark for the 1930's.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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bill t

Plenty ridiculous movie featuring Edmund Lowe as Chandu, a magician of undetermined eastern ethnicity fighting Roxor, a bad guy again of undetermined eastern ethnicity (but sounding a lot Hungarian) who wants to get his hands on a "death ray". Lots of cool special effects for 1932.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Chandu The Magician is a lively tale full of special effects that were the state of the art for its day. It also features Bela Lugosi at his evil best, delivering an over-the-top villain that drives the story, and the need for the many wonders performed by Edmund Lowe's Chandu. Almost every photographic technique of the industry was employed in this film, and is, in that respect, one of the few films of the time comparable to King Kong (released the following year). It is also a Pre-Code film, with a special treat showing a cute blond being pawed and disrobed on a slave block for a horde of Middle Eastern merchants. I strongly recommend this film. - Ralph

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

A certain precursor to the Indiana Jones films!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

ok pre-code actioner

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Watchable fantasy thriller with Bela Lugosi as an evil scientist developing a death ray and Edmund Lowe as the titular Chandu trying to stop him.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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William Cameron Menzies

Director

Marcel Varnel

Director

Edmund Lowe

Chandu

Bela Lugosi

Roxor

Irene Ware

Princess Nadji

Herbert Mundin

Albert Miggles

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Synopsis

Having mastered teleportation and other mystical powers after studying with Indian yogis for three years, Frank Chandler (Edmund Lowe) returns home. Frank hopes he won't have to use his talents, but his hand is forced when his sister Dorothy's (Virginia Hammond) inventor husband, Robert (Henry B. Walthall), is kidnapped by the evil Roxor (Bela Lugosi). The villainous mastermind wants to use Robert's new creation, a death ray, to cause widespread destruction, and only Frank can stop him.

Director: William Cameron Menzies, Marcel Varnel
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Sep 9, 2008
Runtime: 1h 14m