The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
| The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster | |
| Directed by | Rowland V. Lee |
| Written by |
Lloyd Corrigan Florence Ryerson George Marion, Jr. (uncredited) |
| Based on |
The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer |
| Starring |
Warner Oland Neil Hamilton Jean Arthur O. P. Heggie |
| Music by | Oscar Potoker |
| Cinematography | Harry Fischbeck |
| Edited by | George Nichols Jr. |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu is a 1929 American pre-Code drama film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Warner Oland as Dr. Fu Manchu. It was the first Fu Manchu film of the talkie era. Since this was during the transition period to sound, a silent version was also released in the United States.[1]
Plot
A young white girl, Lia Eltham, is left in Fu Manchu's care. A British regiment, chasing Boxer rebels, fires on Fu Manchu's home, killing his wife and child. When Lia Eltham grows up, he uses her as an instrument for revenge, killing all descendants of those who killed his wife. Opposing Fu Manchu are Police Inspector Nayland Smith and Dr. Jack Petrie.
Cast
- Warner Oland as Dr. Fu Manchu
- Neil Hamilton as Dr. Jack Petrie
- Jean Arthur as Lia Eltham
- O. P. Heggie as Inspector Nayland Smith
- William Austin as Sylvester Wadsworth
- Claude King as Sir John Petrie
- Charles A. Stevenson as General Petrie
- Evelyn Selbie as Fai Lu
- Noble Johnson as Li Po
- Laska Winter as Fu Mela
- Wong Chung as Chinese Official (uncredited)
- Lawford Davidson as Clarkson (uncredited)
- Chappell Dossett as Reverend Mr. Eltham (uncredited)
- Charles Giblyn as Weymouth (uncredited)
- Donald MacKenzie as Trent (uncredited)
- Tully Marshall as Chinese Ambassador (uncredited)
- Evelyn Mills as Little Girl (uncredited)
- William J. O'Brien as Servant (uncredited)
- Charles Stevens as Singh (uncredited)
- USC Trojan Marching Band as Marching Band (uncredited)
Production
Writing
The film was very loosely based on the novel The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer.[1]
Characterization
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu incorporates several Yellow Peril stereotypes typical of that era in its portrayal of Fu Manchu, including his skillful use of poison, blow darts, and use of hypnosis to control a white woman throughout the film.[2]
Several of the actors portray the same roles in the 1930 sequel The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu.
References
- 1 2 Progressive Silent Film List: The Mysterious Doctor Fu Manchu at silentera.com
- ↑ Behnken, Brian D.; Smithers, Gregory D. (2015). Racism in American Popular Media: From Aunt Jemima to the Frito Bandito. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO LLC. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-1-4408-2977-2.
 |
Wikiquote has quotations related to: The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu |
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu. |
- The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu on IMDb
- Synopsis at AllMovie
- The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu at the TCM Movie Database
- Jean Arthur and Fu Manchu (stills)