Oddly, in this sequel to Chandu the Magician, Bela Lugosi is “promoted” from the villain of the first movie serial to the hero, Chandu! Here, his true love, the Egyptian Princess Nadji, is in danger of being kidnapped by a cult from the ancient continent of Lemuria. And become a human sacrifice, to revive an ancient, evil, high priestess — and raise the sunken continent! The home of black magic …
The Return Of Chandu (1934) starring Bela Lugosi, Maria Alba
Product Description
This classic cliffhanger, in 12 mesmerizing chapters, stars Bela Lugosi in a rare turn as the hero. He plays Chandu, a mystic magician with supernatural powers, who battles the black magic Cult of Ubasto on the magic island of Lemuria, in order to free the lovely Princess Nadji. Inventive sets and excellent music make for entertaining fun!
Chapter List
The Chosen Victim
Setting the stage – Egyptian Princess Nadji is in California, with the Chandlers, in fear for her life. There’s a large party, and mysterious strangers sneak in. They have the butler as an internal spy, and plan to kidnap Nadji! Chandu’s delayed at the airport, but turns invisible and escapes from his would-be kidnappers, and rescue her at the party. But a mystery villain shoots a poison dart …
“What can save Chandu from the poisoned dart? Where is the secret shrine of the High Priest, Vindhyan? What horrors does the future hold for Nadji-at the hands of the Sorcerers of Ubasti?”
The House in the Hills
The cultists are actually much more clever, and manage to successfully kidnap Nadji, sneaking her out of the mansion inside an Egyptian sarcophagus that Chandu’s donating to a museum. Chandu and Frank are in hot pursuit, but their car crashes through a guard rail …
“Is Chandu’s car wrecked on the lonely mountain road? Without his help, what will be Nadji’s fate in the secret shine of Ubasti? What can save her from the hideous sacrifice to the goddess?”
On the High Seas
Chandu and Bob stop the car shortly before going over the cliff. With the help of his guru (driving the car telekinetically long distance!) they find their way to the house on the hills. Chandu rescues Nadji, but he can’t awaken her. He takes all the protagonists on a boat trip to get away from the cultists’ influence. But he still can’t wake her. And the cultists have infiltrated the crew …
“Can Chandu’s powers save Nadji from Vindhyan’s knife — or will the Priest of Ubasti escape with her to the horrors of the mysterious island of Lemuria?”
The Evil Eye
Chandu rescues Nadji from Vindhyan — and frees her from her trance in the process. Their sabotaged ship needs repairs, and while on shore the cultists try to kidnap her again, with a forged note, allegedly from Chandu. This lead to a pursuit, and a well done fight. And the heroes are victorious! Nadji believes that all of her troubles are now over. But those cultists are determined …
“Chandu believes Nadji to be safe — but the magician, Vitras, has departed for Suvs. Will Chandu relax his vigilance — and will Vitras bring Nadji to the sacrifice in the Temple of Lemuria?”
The Invisible Circle
Nadji has had a vision of Lemuria, and the cultists’ temple there. She mentally shares the images with Chandu, who leaves to go there and confront them. But one of the cultists impersonates Chandu in a vision, and gets Nadji to come to him. Chandu’s warned, and turns his ship around — but he’s a moment too late!
“Nadji has disappeared through the Circle of Fire. Has she been taken to the sacrifice on the mysterious island of Lemuria — or will Chandu’s powers save her from the Black Magicians?”
Chandu’s False Step
“Chandu’s yacht is sinking. Nadji is a prisoner of the Black Magicians. Have the forces of evil triumphed? Or will Chandu yet reach the strange island of Lemuria?”
Mysterious Magic
The good news is that Chandu, his family, and the ship’s captain all survive the sinking of the ship. But …
“Chandu is trapped in the underground caverns of Lemuria. What terrors await him in these dark passages while the hour of Nadji’s sacrifice approaches? And what will be the fate of the others at the hands of the half-human savages?”
The Edge of the Pit
“Forward: On the mysterious island of Lemuria, the Princess Nadji awaits the sacrifice which is to merge her soul with the body of the dead Priestess of Ubasti. Frank Chandler – known as Chandu, the Magician – is striving to rescue her. With the captain of his yacht, he is approaching the ancient temple in which Nadji is held prisoner by the Sorcerer-priests…”
“Is Chandu dead in the den of the tiger? What can save Nadji from the Sacrifice of Ubasti – or rescue the others from the fire-stakes of the savages?”
The Terror Invisible
“Forward: On the mysterious island of Lemuria, the Princess Nadji is awaiting the hour of her sacrifice by the Sorcerer-priests of Ubasti. Frank Chandler — known as Chandu the Magician — is striving to rescue her. Lost in an underground maze, he has come upon Tyba, a White Priest, long a prisoner of the Black Sorcerers.”
With the aid of the White Priest, Chandu makes it over the tiger pit — barely. Then, he turns him temporarily invisible, to rescue his nephew from the torture chamber. Only to be caught himself …
“Chandu is a prisoner of the Ubasti – but he has an ally, now, in Tyba, the White Magician. What part is he to play in these tangled events?”
The Crushing Rock
“FOREWORD: On the mysterious island of Lemuria, the Princess Nadji is awaiting the hour of her sacrifice by the Sorcerer priests of Ubasti. Aided by the White Priest, Tyba, Frank Chandler – known as Chandu, the Magician-is striving to rescue her; but members of Chandler’s family have fallen into the hands of the Ubasti.”
Sadly, much of this installment is a “clip show” after Chandu’s captured. Eventually, the villains try to torture him, while Bob and the White Priest rush to his aid …
“The stone falls! If Chandu dies, will Tyba and Bob save Nadji from the sacrifice — Or will the Black Magicians triumph?”
The Uplifted Knife
“FOREWORD: On the mysterious island or Lemuria, the Princess Nadi is a prisoner of the priests o Ubasti; awaiting the sacrific which is to bring to life th long dead priestess, Ossana. Striving to rescue her, Frank Chandler —known as Chandu, the Magician-—has been captured, also, and is being put to torture by the Black Sorcerers:”
A very powerful installment, as Nadji is forced to renounce her love for Chandu, and become a willing sacrifice — to save the lives of Chandu and his family.
“Chandu is in the hands of the savages! His hopes – and Nadji’s – hang upon Tyba; but the White Priest is surrounded by the mysterious powers of the Black Magicians! What is to be the outcome?
The Knife Descends
“FOREWORD: On the mysterious island of Lemuria, the Princess Nadji is to be sacrificed by the Sorcerer-priests of Ubasti, that their long-dead priestess, Ossana, may live again.
With the help of Tyba, a follower of the White Yogi, Frank Chandler – known as Chandu, the Magician— has striven to rescue her; but Nadji has been forced to renounce Chandu and to dedicate, her soul to the dead priestess.”
Given that this is the final installment of the movie serial, the question isn’t IF Chandu will rescue Nadji, but HOW. It’s very entertaining, and I love the ending where Chandu uses his magic so that he & Nadji can escape reporters! Enjoy!
Trivia
- This serial was also released as two features: The Return of Chandu (1934) (using Chs. 1-4) and Chandu on the Magic Island (1935), using Chs. 5-12).
- This feature was not only composed by editing together the first four chapters of the same-titled serial, but in fact the episodes were specifically written so that, spliced together, the result had the pacing and dialog of a b-feature film. Producer Sol Lesser developed this approach so that this film could be marketed either as a free-standing feature, as a feature-length first episode, with no loss of continuity or resolution in either case. Or the source serial could be booked in the traditional 12-episode format.
- Uses the great gate set from King Kong (1933) for its temple.
Cast of characters
- Bela Lugosi (Chandu the Magician) … Frank Chandler – Chandu
- Maria Alba (Mr. Robinson Crusoe) … Princess Nadji
- Clara Kimball Young (The Rogues Tavern) … Dorothy Regent
- Lucien Prival … Vindhyan – High Priest
- Dean Benton … Bob Regent (as Deane Benton). Chandu’s nephew, and right-hand man.
- Phyllis Ludwig … Betty Regent. Chandu’s niece.
- Cyril Armbrister … Sutra
- Murdock MacQuarrie (Cat People) … The Voice of Ubasti
- Wilfred Lucas … Capt. Wilson
- Josef Swickard (You Can’t Take It With You) … Tyba
- J.J. Clark … Vitras (as Jack J. Clark)
Additional cast
- Frazer Acosta … Nito (uncredited)
- April Armbrister … The Dancer (uncredited)
- Baby Peggy … Judy Allen (uncredited)
- William Begg … Party Guest (uncredited)
- Edward Biby … Party Guest (uncredited)
- Dick Botiller … Morta (uncredited)
- Don Brodie (Pinocchio) … Reporter (uncredited)
- Iron Eyes Cody (Sitting Bull) … Cat Man (uncredited)
- Jack Deery … Butler (uncredited)
- Tex Driscoll … Follower (uncredited)
- Louise Emmons … Sisaba (uncredited)
- Henry Hall (Voodoo Man) … Museum Curator (uncredited)
- Al Haskell … Waiter (uncredited)
- Gloria Holden (Dracula’s Daughter) … Party Guest (uncredited)
- John Ince … Mr. James (uncredited)
- Isabel La Mal … Mrs. James (uncredited)
- Frank Lanning … Fake Suvanese Constable (uncredited)
- Elias Lazaroff … Bara (uncredited)
- David O. McCall … Barfly (uncredited)
- Merrill McCormick … Ubasti Guard (uncredited)
- Harold Miller (D.O.A.) … Party Guest (uncredited)
- Edward Peil Sr. (Black Dragons) … Airport Official (uncredited)
- Beatrice Roberts (The Invisible Man’s Revenge) … Party Guest (uncredited)
- Ronald R. Rondell … Party Guest (uncredited)
- Elias Schaeffer … Old Man (uncredited)
- Harry Walker … Tagora (uncredited)
- Bryant Washburn (Adventures of Captain Marvel) … Prince Andra (uncredited)
