Edmund Lowe as Chandu the Magician may have had hypnotic eyes, but they were no match for Bela Lugosi's own in the film he made just prior to this one, "White Zombie". Lugosi uses that signature eye stare to mesmerize his victims and induce nightmares. I think in a head to head contest, Lugosi wins hands down, so even though he portrays a supporting character here, it's far and away his picture whenever he's on screen as the madman Roxor.
Then again, Chandu the Magician is no slouch in the theatrics department. For 1932, there were some pretty impressive effects concocted for the story. I thought the one where he turned the rifles into snakes, or created a vision of same, was done pretty effectively. Chandu had that great mystic vibe going for him too until nephew Bobby called him Uncle Frank. Some of the story's power seemed to deflate right there for me, seeing as how Chandu was a mere mortal.
For it's time, the picture was pretty daring in it's depiction of women, you'll have to check out the slave auction scene with June Lang as Betty Lou Regent, a kidnap victim of one of Roxor's henchmen. By the same token, the romance between Frank/Chandu and Princess Nadji (Irene Ware) was pure schmaltz, one in which Chandu's mysterious eyes turned googly if not downright comical.
You can't really evaluate the picture against present day efforts because you'll wind up disappointed. Most of the acting is merely adequate, but with it's special effects and Lugosi's insane portrayal of a world conquering madman, it's high in entertainment value. You should give it a try.
Then again, Chandu the Magician is no slouch in the theatrics department. For 1932, there were some pretty impressive effects concocted for the story. I thought the one where he turned the rifles into snakes, or created a vision of same, was done pretty effectively. Chandu had that great mystic vibe going for him too until nephew Bobby called him Uncle Frank. Some of the story's power seemed to deflate right there for me, seeing as how Chandu was a mere mortal.
For it's time, the picture was pretty daring in it's depiction of women, you'll have to check out the slave auction scene with June Lang as Betty Lou Regent, a kidnap victim of one of Roxor's henchmen. By the same token, the romance between Frank/Chandu and Princess Nadji (Irene Ware) was pure schmaltz, one in which Chandu's mysterious eyes turned googly if not downright comical.
You can't really evaluate the picture against present day efforts because you'll wind up disappointed. Most of the acting is merely adequate, but with it's special effects and Lugosi's insane portrayal of a world conquering madman, it's high in entertainment value. You should give it a try.