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FU MANCHU

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Full Name: Denis Nayland Smith
Series Name: Fu Manchu
Nationality: British
Organization: British Intelligence
Occupation Agent

Creator: Sax Rohmer
Time Span: 1912 - 2013

ABOUT THE SERIES

Denis Nayland Smith is an agent with British Intelligence.

Fu Manchu (often but certainly not always spelled Fu-Manchu) is the leader of the infamous Si-Fan international criminal organization and arch-enemy of Smith.

When we first meet the two, Smith was working as a "roving commissioner" in the British-controlled Burma. He had obviously been so for a while because his influence was considerable and his knowledge impressive. He had originally been working for the Colonial Police but eventually received this fiat to expand his area of operations. Some later analysts would claim, perhaps rightly so, that he was already working for British Intelligence when he began his "roving" while others have felt he would only later start working for them. Since his authority came from the Home Office, the differences seem small as the results were pretty much the same.

There is not a lot written about the man himself which is astonishing considering that the written accounts of his exploits would encumbrance more than a dozen full-length books and forty years of service for his Empire and against his nemesis, Fu Manchu. He is first described as a "tall, lean man, with his square-cut, clean-shaven face sunbaked to the hue of coffee." We know by inference that he is likely in his mid-30s at least to have attained his rank. We must assume that he is single for he never mentioned a wife, late or otherwise. Beyond the fact that he knew the man who chronicled the first three of the adventures, Dr. Petrie, from many years before, likely university but perhaps before that, we know nothing of his early years or how he got himself stationed in Burma. There is a whole lot of not much in Nayland Smith's life story.

The same cannot be said for his enemy, a man whose actions have resulted in his acclaim and his notoriety which far exceeds that of Smith, the man devoted to stopping his every foray into the West. Smith's initial description of Fu Manchu is "Imagine a person, tall, lean and feline, high-shouldered, with a brow like Shakespeare and a face like Satan, a close-shaven skull, and long, magnetic eyes of the true cat-green. Invest him with all the cruel cunning of an entire Eastern race, accumulated in one giant intellect, with all the resources of science past and present, with all the resources, if you will, of a wealthy government - which, however, already has denied all knowledge of his existence. Imagine that awful being, and you have a mental picture of Dr. Fu-Manchu, the yellow peril incarnate in one man."

The age of Fu Manchu is really anyone's guess. We learn over time that he has perfected an elixir which has greatly prolonged his life and kept him in obvious very good health. It is written that he has several doctorates from Western universities and is a genius in several fields with chemistry being a predominant one. As he has at least one full-grown daughter, as we learn over time, he must be a minimum of 40 years but likely, considering his influence, considerably more.

The Si-Fan organization with which he is affiliated is international in scope but largely Asian, spanning from India to northwest China but it is the region of southwest China that seems to draw him the most; Tibet to Burma. At first it would seem that Fu Manchu was but one of the leaders of Si-Fan for there are stories of animosity and out-right revolt in that group and there are even reports of Fu Manchu being considered a renegade with a price on his head from his colleagues. How true these might be is unknown but whatever discord that might have existed will eventually be quelled and Fu Manchu would become the unopposed head.

Nayland Smith (he seldom used his first name) would receive a Knighthood for his saving of London from Fu Manchu and would see his area of operations become global as he would operate across Europe, spend considerable time in the Middle East (especially Egypt), and then head West to the Americas where he would work closely with the FBI. In all this time there would be long periods where his enemy, Fu Manchu, would be quiet and unheard from and what Smith worked on then is never mentioned but each time Fu Manchu got active, Smith would be there to combat him.

Smith could never hope to match Fu Manchu in the brains department and he would several times admit quite honestly that his successes were largely a matter of luck and stubborn determination rather than strokes of genius. But succeed he would, over and over, though the ultimate prize of capturing and eliminating his opponent would always be beyond his reach.

     In another 'envisioning' of the character, several years after the adventures recorded in book form had taken place, Nayland Smith would show up again, now an elderly but still determined man, to tell a young but extremely dangerous assassin named Shang-Chi the truth about the younger man's father and leader, Fu Manchu. Smith would convince Shang-Chi to join him in the seemingly unending struggle to keep the oriental villain from achieving his nefarious goals.

Amazingly, for all his accomplishments at fighting such a powerful foe and stopping that man's global reach, if you were to mention to the man on the street the name Nayland Smith, you would surely get a blank stare. Mention his enemy, Fu Manchu, though, and it would be a whole different reaction. Even here, though both are listed in the index, it is Fu Manchu that has the title. Certainly Smith never got a mustache named after him.

BOOKS

Number of Books:18
First Appearance:1913
Last Appearance:2013

1 The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
aka The Mystery of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

Numerous English citizens who were prominent in Indian politics are being assassinated and Nayland Smith is on the hunt of the kingpin behind the killings, the diabolical Dr. Fu Manchu.
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2 The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu
aka The Devil Doctor
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1916

It has been two years since Nayland Smith and his friend, Dr. Petrie, thwarted Fu Manchu's plot. It seemed just a matter of time before the evil mastermind would return and now he has.
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3 The Hand of Fu Manchu The Hand of Fu Manchu
aka The Si-Fan Mysteries
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1917

A British attaché in Peking has raced to London to meet with Nayland Smith but before the two can get together, he is attacked and is only barely able to impart a few words to let Smith know something is up with the notorious Si-Fan criminal organization plotting something in the region of Tibet.
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4 Daughter of Fu Manchu Daughter of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1931

Strange things are awry in Egypt. The head of a dig there has suddenly died and then his assistant receives a secret message that the man is still alive. When the assistant appeals to Dr. Petrie for help, the two head down a path that will take them, and Nayland Smith, up against the daughter of Fu Manchu who learned a lot about evil from her father.
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5 The Mask of Fu Manchu The Mask of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1932

The archaeologist, Sir Lionel Barton, has removed all the relics he cares to from the tomb of the Veiled Prophet and then blown up the entrance. The sect followers of these entity take the explosion to be a sign the Prophet has returned and they begin to stir. Also now interested is the evil Fu Manchu.
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6 The Bride of Fu Manchu The Bride of Fu Manchu
aka Fu Manchu's Bride
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1933

As a nasty epidemic spreads all along the Riviera, the French authorities call upon Dr. Petrie to assist in learning the cause and finding an antidote. He in turn comes to realize that it is likely Dr. Fu Manchu who is behind it all and seeks out Nayland Smith for help.
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7 The Trail of Fu Manchu The Trail of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1934

It looks like the end for Dr. Fu Manchu as he is trapped in London, unable to get to his normal resources and even worse, his elixir that keeps him alive. That does not stop the evil mastermind from causing trouble and it is up to Nayland Smith to foil his plots.
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8 President Fu Manchu President Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1936

Heading to the United States for the first time, Dr. Fu Manchu has a plan to take over the country by eliminating the leading Presidential candidate, moving his man into the lead. Nayland Smith heads to Washington to work with the FBI to stop him.
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9 The Drums of Fu Manchu The Drums of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1939

In the days leading up to WWII, Dr. Fu Manchu has the idea of killing off the dictators around the world and stepping into the vacuum of power left behind. Nayland Smith wants to keep the peace by stopping the plan.
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10 The Island of Fu Manchu The Island of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1941

The year is 1941. The world is largely at war but the US has not yet entered the fray officially. Dr. Fu Manchu has a plan to stop America from getting involved by launching attacks on its navy in the Caribbean. Nayland Smith, ever vigilant to fight him, takes the battle to New York and then Panama and then Haiti.
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11 The Shadow of Fu Manchu The Shadow of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1948

While everyone worries about the Cold War and the new threat of atomic bombs, another danger comes in the form of an energy weapon created by a Dr. Craig. Seeking this powerful game-changer, Dr. Fu Manchu has come to New York. Nayland Smith would prefer he not get it.
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12 Re-Enter Fu Manchu Re-Enter Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1957

After nearly a decade with no word about his activities, Fu Manchu reappears on the global stage in a daring attempt to wrest control of China from the Communists. Nayland Smith as always wants to stop his arch-nemesis but something seems very off with Smith.
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13 Emperor Fu Manchu Emperor Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1959

With the Soviet Union and Red China no longer allies, a new force has shown up in northern China to cause trouble all around and in doing so, take control. It is the Si-Fan under the leadership of Fu Manchu and he is using zombies to be his pawns.
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14 The Wrath of Fu Manchu The Wrath of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1973

A collection of tales, several of which deal with Fu Manchu and Nayland Smith. The Fu Manchu stories are:
The Wrath of Fu Manchu
The Eyes of Fu Manchu
The Word of Fu Manchu
The Mind of Fu Manchu

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15 Ten Years Beyond Baker Street Ten Years Beyond Baker Street
Written by Cay Van Ash
Copyright: 1984

Dr. Petrie arrives in Sussex, England, in the spring of 1914 to get the aid of the retired Sherlock Holmes to go up against Dr. Fu Manchu after Petrie's friend, Nayland Smith, has been kidnapped.

16 The Fires of Fu Manchu The Fires of Fu Manchu
Written by Cay Van Ash
Copyright: 1987

The year is 1916 and the place is Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Petrie receives a late-night visitor at his practice, a beautiful young Asian woman who before he knows it sheds her sole garment and begins to seduce him. The arrival of Nayland Smith ends that ploy and also saves Petrie's life. It also puts them again on the trail of the father of the visitor, Dr. Fu Manchu.

17 The Terror of Fu Manchu The Terror of Fu Manchu
Written by William Patrick Maynard
Copyright: 2012

"The death of a seemingly respectable missionary draws Denis Nayland Smith and his devoted companion, Dr. Petrie, back into the web of the diabolical Dr. Fu Manchu. The investigation takes our heroes on a harrowing journey where they cross paths with the Si-Fan, a rival theosophist society and the famous French detective, Gaston Max."
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18 The Destiny of Fu Manchu The Destiny of Fu Manchu
Written by William Patrick Maynard
Copyright: 2013

It is the late 30s and the world is again headed to war. Michael Knox is an assistant of a famed archaeologist. At the wedding of his boss, Knox encounters a lovely Egyptian woman and that meeting will lead to his involvement with Nayland Smith and another run in with Dr. Fu Manchu.
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NOVELLAS AND SHORT STORIES

Number of Stories:36
First Appearance:1912
Last Appearance:1959

1 The Zayat Kiss The Zayat Kiss
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1912

First appearing in the Storyteller in October, 1912 and then in Collier's in Feb. 15, 1913. It later made up chapters 1-3 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
It introduces Nayland Smith and his friend, Dr. Petrie, and tells of the first encounter in London with Fu Manchu as he dispatches his targets with the mysterious Zayat Kiss.

2 The Clue of the Pigtail The Clue of the Pigtail
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1912

First appearing in the Storyteller in November, 1912 and then in Collier's in March 1st, 1913. It later made up chapters 4-6 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu.
Nayland Smith works harder to learn why the notorious Doctor has come to England in the first place.

3 Redmoat Redmoat
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1912

First appearing in the Storyteller in December, 1912 and then printed in Collier's Magazine in March 15th, 1913. It later made up chapters 7-9 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu.
Introduction to the Reverend J. D. Eltham as Nayland Smith recounts one of the chief causes of the Boxer Rebellion in China and how that lead to the rise in power of Fu Manchu.

4 The Green Mist The Green Mist
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in the Storyteller in January, 1913 and then in the March 29th 1913 issue of Colliers. It later made up chapters 10-12 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu. This tells of Sir Lionel Barton, adventurer extraordinaire, who is an expert in what is happening in Tibet and is a source of information for Nayland Smith and a threat to the plans of Fu Manchu.

5 The Call of Siva The Call of Siva
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in the Storyteller in February, 1913, and then printed in the April 12th 1913 issue of Collier's. It later made up chapters 13-15 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
In these pages we meet for the first time the evil Fu Manchu as he visits Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie in their jail cell. We also meet his pet marmoset,

6 Karamaneh Karamaneh
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in the Storyteller in March, 1913 and then in the April 26th 1913 issue of Collier's. It later made up chapters 16-17 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
As the dragnet for Fu Manchu goes on, Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie encounter a band of gypsies. Smith tries to arrest one wanted in Burma for murder but instead they capture Karamaneh, the mysterious woman who has twice saved Petrie's life.

7 Andaman - Second Andaman - Second
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in the Storyteller in March, 1913. It later made up chapters 18-20 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu. The title refers to the cryptic clue that Karamaneh passes to Dr. Petrie as he and Nayland Smith invade in disguise a club that may be a hideout of Fu Manchu.

8 The Golden Flask The Golden Flask
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in the Storyteller in May, 1913. It later made up chapters 21-23 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu. The intended victim of Fu Manchu in this story is Henry Stradwick, Lord Southery, who dies before Nayland Smith can arrive.

9 The Spores of Death The Spores of Death
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in the Storyteller in June, 1913. It later made up chapters 24-25 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu. Dr. Petrie recounts a considerable amount of what is know of Fu Manchu's origins.

10 The Knocking on the Door The Knocking on the Door
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1913

First appearing in Collier's on June 28, 1913, then on July, 1913 in The Storyteller. It later made up the final chapters 27-30 in The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu.
In the showdown with Fu Manchu, the police inspector helping Nayland Smith becomes a victim and to save his life, Smith must make a deal with the Devil Doctor.

11 The Wire Jacket The Wire Jacket
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1914

First appearing in Colliers in November, 1914. It later made up chapters 1-3 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

12 The Cry Of The Nighthawk The Cry Of The Nighthawk
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1914

First appearing in Colliers in December, 1914. It later made up chapters 4-6 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

13 The Avenue Mystery The Avenue Mystery
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in February, 1915. It later made up chapters 7-10 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

14 The White Peacock The White Peacock
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in March, 1915 and then printed in the September 1915 issue of The New Magazine (UK). It later made up chapters 11-13 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

15 The Coughing Horror The Coughing Horror
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in April, 1915. It later made up chapters 14-17 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

16 The Silver Buddha The Silver Buddha
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in May, 1915. It later made up chapters 18-20 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

17 Cragmire Tower Cragmire Tower
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in July, 1915. It later made up chapters 21-23 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

18 The Fiery Hand The Fiery Hand
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in September, 1915. It later made up chapters 24-26 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

19 The Six Gates The Six Gates
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in October, 1915. It later made up chapters 27-30 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

20 The Mummy The Mummy
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1915

First appearing in Colliers in December, 1915. It later made up chapters 31-33 in The Return of Fu Manchu.

21 The Flower of Silence The Flower of Silence
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1916

First appearing in Colliers in April, 1916. It later made up chapters 1-4 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

22 Zarmi of the Joy Shop Zarmi of the Joy Shop
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1916

First appearing in Colliers in May, 1916. It later made up chapters 5-9 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

23 The Golden Pomegranates The Golden Pomegranates
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1916

First appearing in Colliers in June, 1916. It later made up chapters 10-14 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

24 Queen Of Hearts Queen Of Hearts
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1916

First appearing in Colliers in November, 1916. It later made up chapters 15-18 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

25 The Zagazig Cryptogram The Zagazig Cryptogram
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1917

First appearing in Colliers in January, 1917. It later made up chapters 19-21 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

26 The House of Hashish The House of Hashish
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1917

First appearing in Colliers in February, 1917. It later made up chapters 22-26 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

27 Ki-Ming Ki-Ming
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1917

First appearing in Colliers in March, 1917 and then printed in the June 1917 issue of The Story-Teller. It later made up chapters 27-29 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

28 Shrine of the Seven Lamps Shrine of the Seven Lamps
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1917

First appearing in Colliers in April, 1917 and then printed in the November 1917 issue of The Story-Teller. It later made up chapters 30-33 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

29 The Black Chapel The Black Chapel
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1917

First appearing in Colliers in June, 1917. It later made up chapters 34-40 in The Hand of Fu Manchu.

30 The Blue Monkey The Blue Monkey
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1920

The narrator is on vacation in Dartmoor with a long-time friend, aliased Mr. East, when a young woman discovers the body of her father on the moors. She pleads for help finding who murdered him and East and friend go on the hunt.

31 The Mark of the Monkey The Mark of the Monkey
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1931

First appearing in Britannia & Eve in the UK and soon after in Colliers in the US, this is largely a rewrite of The Blue Monkey but with East being identified as Nayland Smith. Smith and Petrie are vacationing in Dartmoor when a young woman asks them to help find her missing dog. They go in search of the canine only to discover its body and later the body of the woman's father. That throws them into a mystery.

32 The Turkish Yataghan The Turkish Yataghan
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1932

First published in the November 1912 issue of Cassell's Magazine of Fiction, then Collier's Magazine on January 2nd 1932 and The Grand Magazine in October 1936. Also printed in 3 different issues of The Saint Magazines as follows: The Saint Detective Magazine of April 4th 1957, The Saint Detective Magazine (Australia) of November 1957 and The Saint Detective Magazine (UK) of January 1958.
It later appeared in the collection Tales of East and West

This story tells of Nayland Smith as he and Shan Greville (from Daughter of Fu Manchu which this story takes place just after) are offered a Turkish yataghan (dagger) by a drunk sailor. They soon hear that a prominent merchant was murdered by such a weapon and the chase is on.

33 The Wrath of Fu Manchu The Wrath of Fu Manchu
aka Green Devil Mask
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1952

Originally published in 5 parts in The Toronto Star weekly supplement from late January through February 1952. This novella makes the lead in the collection of the same name.
It tells of the plot by Fu Manchu to use a weapon called the Runsen Beam to destroy all the gold in Fort Knox to ruin the US economy.

34 The Eyes of Fu Manchu The Eyes of Fu Manchu
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1957

Originally published in 2 parts in the This Week magazine in October of 1957. Also printed in the January 1965 issue of The Saint Mystery Magazine, the February 1965 issue of The Saint Mystery Magazine (UK), and the January 1966 issue of Edgar Wallace Mystery Magazine (UK)
An American scientist working on ways to slow down aging is giving a lecture in the Sorbonne and Nayland Smith is certain that will attract Fu Manchu.
This story was included in the collection The Wrath of Fu Manchu.

35 The Word of Fu Manchu The Word of Fu Manchu
aka The Night Fu Manchu Learned Fear
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1958

Originally published in the This Week magazine in March of 1958, and also printed in the February 1966 issue of Edgar Wallace Mystery Magazine.
In London, Nayland Smith heads to the flat of an undercover detective who has infiltrated the Si-Fan. The man is dead when Smith arrives but he does nab a beautiful Si-Fan operative who came to find a metal disc worn around the dead man's neck.
This story was included in the collection The Wrath of Fu Manchu.

36 The Mind of Fu Manchu The Mind of Fu Manchu
aka Fu Manchu and the Frightened Redhead
Written by Sax Rohmer
Copyright: 1959

Originally published in the This Week magazine in February of 1959.
A scientist working of anti-gravity propulsion is in London when his girlfriend is snatched by Fu Manchu. Nayland Smith steps in to help get her back.
This story was included in the collection The Wrath of Fu Manchu.

MOVIES

Number of Movies:14
First Appearance:1923
Last Appearance:1980

1 The Mystery of Dr. Fu Manchu The Mystery of Dr. Fu Manchu
Director: A.E. Coleby
Writers: Frank Wilson, A.E. Coleby
Actors: Joan Clarkson as Karamaneh, Humberston Wright as Dr. Petrie, Fred Paul as Nayland Smith, H. Agar Lyons as Fu Manchu
Released: 1923

From IMDB: "A killer kitty with poison-tipped claws, giant noxious mushrooms and aphonia-inducing flowers are just some of the challenges faced by Sir Denis Nayland Smith and Dr Petrie in their battles against arch-villain Fu Manchu." This silent movie was initially a 15-part serial with each episode lasting 20-22 minutes.

2 The Further Mysteries of Dr. Fu Manchu The Further Mysteries of Dr. Fu Manchu
Director: Fred Paul
Writers: Fred Paul, Sax Rohmer
Actors: H. Agar Lyons as Fu Manchu, Fred Paul as Nayland Smith, Dorinea as Karamaneh, Humberston Wright as Dr. Petrie
Released: 1924

The Evil Doctor returns to pursue his frightening plans in an 8-part silent movie serial, each episode lasting around 20 minutes. According to Letterboxd.com: "Detective Nayland Smith, commissioned by the British Government to investigate a series of murders comes up against the “Coughing Horror”, Dr Fu-Manchu’s servant."

3 The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
Director: Rowland V. Lee
Writer: Lloyd Corrigan
Actors: O.P. Heggie as Nayland Smith, Neil Hamilton as Dr. Petrie, Warner Oland as Fu Manchu
Released: 1929

Fu Manchu's wife and child were killed by British soldiers during the Boxer Rebellion and he is out for revenge.

4 The Return of Fu Manchu The Return of Fu Manchu
Director: Rowland V. Lee
Writer: Lloyd Corrigan
Actors: O.P. Heggie as Nayland Smith, Neil Hamilton as Dr. Petrie, Warner Oland as Fu Manchu
Released: 1930

Still intent on getting his revenge, Dr. Fu Manchu returns.

5 Daughter of the Dragon Daughter of the Dragon
Director: Lloyd Corrigan
Writers: Lloyd Corrigan, Monte M. Katterjohn, Sidney Buchman
Actors: Anna May Wong as Pricess Ling Moy, Bramwell Fletcher as Dr. Petrie, Warner Oland as Fu Manchu
Released: 1931

Princess Ling Moy is romantically involved with Ah Kee, a secret agent out to stop Fu Manchu. She had been sent to England by her father, Fu Manchu, to handle a sensitive matter and happened to choose to live next to Dr. Petrie.
[Note: according to Wikipedia: "The film was made to capitalize on Sax Rohmer's then current book, The Daughter of Fu Manchu, which Paramount (the studio) did not own the rights to adapt."]

6 The Mask of Fu Manchu The Mask of Fu Manchu
Director: Charles Brabin
Writers: Irene Kuhn, Edgar Allan Woolf
Actors: Lewis Stone as Nayland Smith, Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu
Released: 1932

The race is on to find the tomb of Genghis Khan before Fu Manchu gets there and wins the treasure.

7 The Drums of Fu Manchu The Drums of Fu Manchu
Directors: John English, William Witney
Writer: Franklin Adreon
Actors: William Royle as Nayland Smith, Henry Brandon as Fu Manchu
Released: 1940

Another attempt by Fu Manchu to locate the tomb of Genghis Khan to gain the power to conquer the world. This was originally released as a multi-part serial lasting over 4 hours.

8 Drums of Fu Manchu Drums of Fu Manchu
Directors: John English, William Witney
Writer: Franklin Adreon
Actors: William Royle as Nayland Smith, Henry Brandon as Fu Manchu
Released: 1943

Another attempt by Fu Manchu to locate the tomb of Genghis Khan to gain the power to conquer the world. This was an edited version of the serial from three years before, this version lasting just over an hour

9 The Face of Fu Manchu The Face of Fu Manchu
Director: Don Sharp
Writer: Harry Alan Towers
Actors: Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu, Nigel Green as Nayland Smith, Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Petrie
Released: 1965

Nayland Smith is now certain that a series of murders in London point to the fact that Dr. Fu Manchu is still alive, despite being executed for his crimes.

10 The Brides of Fu Manchu The Brides of Fu Manchu
Director: Don Sharp
Writer: Harry Alan Towers
Actors: Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu, Douglas Wilmer as Nayland Smith, Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Petrie
Released: 1966

Capturing the daughters of prominent scientists and taking them back to his island headquarters, Fu Manchu is not asking a ransom for them but demanding these men help him build a death ray.

11 The Vengeance of Fu Manchu The Vengeance of Fu Manchu
Director: Jeremy Summers
Writer: Harry Alan Towers
Actors: Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu, Douglas Wilmer as Nayland Smith, Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Petrie
Released: 1967

Angered over his constant losses to Nayland Smith, Fu Manchu is now out to first discredit and then destroy the man.

12 The Blood of Fu Manchu The Blood of Fu Manchu
aka Kiss of Death, Kiss & Kill
Director: Jesús Franco
Writer: Jesús Franco
Actors: Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu, Richard Greene as Nayland Smith, Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Petrie
Released: 1968

Ten women have been inoculated with a poison they will then spread to ten powerful men on the planet.

13 The Castle of Fu Manchu The Castle of Fu Manchu
Director: Jesús Franco
Writer: Jesús Franco
Actors: Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu, Richard Greene as Nayland Smith, Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Petrie
Released: 1969

Fu Manchu plans on freezing the world's ocean with a horrific new device he has created. It uses opium to operate which means the evil doctor must first take control of the illegal trade.

14 The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu
Director: Piers Haggard
Writers: Rudy Dochtermann, Jim Moloney
Actors: Peter Sellers as Fu Manchu/Nayland Smith, Helen Mirren as Alice Rage, Sid Caesar as Joe Capone
Released: 1980

An assistant to Fu Manchu accidentally destroys his supply eternal life elixir and now the bad doctor must steal many items to recreate it.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:14
First Appearance:1952
Last Appearance:1956
Network:-

REGULAR CAST
Glen GordonFu Manchu [ 1 ]
Lester MatthewsNayland Smith [ 1 ]
Clark HowatDr. Petrie [ 1 ]
Laurette LuezKaramaneh [ 1 ]

According to the information on Wikipedia, the first television incarnation of Fu Manchu was in 1952 when a pilot for a series was developed for NBC. The network did not pick up the series nor did it actually air it, making it a much sought after piece to any Fu Manchu collection.

Four years later, Republic Pictures paid an impressive $4 million to Sax Rohmer to create 78 episodes of adventures between Nayland Smith and Fu Manchu. 13 were actually made and aired before a court battle was waged. These tales were released in syndication.


1 The Adventures of Fu Manchu - The Zayat Kiss
Episode 0-1, first aired 1952
Director: William Cameron Menzies
Writers: John Gerstad, Rose Elizabeth Knox-Rohmer
Guest Stars: John Carradine as Fu Manchu, Cedric Hardwick as Nayland Smith, John Newland as Dr. Petrie

Unaired pilot - adaptation of the initial adventure - Fu Manchu is making his presence known by killing people with the deadly Zayat Kiss.

2 The Prisoner of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-1, first aired 09/03/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: Barry Shipman

Fu Manchu poisons a Chinese doctor and replaced him with a look-alike to disrupt a major world conference on peace.

3 The Golden God of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-2, first aired 09/10/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: Richard Landau

To get his hands on a treasure of gold, Fu Manchu kills a man. He then sends one of his assassins to kill the only witness, the deceased's wife.

4 The Secret of Fu Manchu
Episode 1-3, first aired 09/17/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: Richard Landau

[plot unknown]

5 The Vengeance of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-4, first aired 09/24/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: Ronald Davidson

[plot unknown]

6 Dr. Fu Manchu, Incorporated
Episode 1-5, first aired 10/01/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: Ronald Davidson

An American gangster living in Mozambique is to be extradited to the US if Dr. Petrie certifies him able to travel. Fu Manchu is helping the crook fake his death.

7 The Plague of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-6, first aired 10/08/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: Richard Landau

If the US will not hand over title to a Pacific island, Fu Manchu will unleash a plague in the country.

8 The Slave of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-7, first aired 10/15/1956
Director: Franklin Adreon
Writer: John K. Butler

[plot unknown]

9 Dr. Fu Manchu's Raid
Episode 1-8, first aired 10/22/1956
Director: William Witney
Writer: Houston Branch

[plot unknown]

10 The Death Ships of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-9, first aired 10/29/1956
Director: William Witney
Writer: Ronald Davidson

A number of deadly germ cultures were stolen by Fu Manchu from a laboratory in San Francisco and are to be smuggled into China via Hong Kong.

11 The Counterfeiters of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-10, first aired 11/05/1956
Director: William Witney
Writer: Sloan Nibley

[plot unknown]

12 The Master Plan of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-11, first aired 11/12/1956
Director: William Witney
Writer: Arthur Orloff

Adolf Hitler is still alive and working with Fu Manchu to take over the world. Fu Manchu kidnaps a plastic surgeon to operate on Hitler.

13 The Satellites of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-12, first aired 11/19/1956
Director: William Witney
Writer: Maurice Tombragel

[plot unknown]

14 The Assassins of Dr. Fu Manchu
Episode 1-13, first aired 11/26/1956
Director: William Witney
Writer: Richard Landau

[plot unknown]

RADIO / AUDIO


Number of Episodes:235
First Appearance:1927
Last Appearance:1944
Network:Various

REGULAR CAST

The information contained in this section was pulled from the terrific page devoted to Fu Manchu - The Radio Shows. According to that site: "There were four distinct incarnations of Fu Manchu on U.S. radio, three of them during the 1930s and a briefer last gasp during World War II."

Note: the site above contains a whole lot more info on the radio broadcasts than I have here and should be checked out by any fan of the Fu Manchu series.


1 The Collier Hour

An anthology broadcast designed to promote Collier's magazine, this hour-long series presented dramas from its impressive catalog of short stories, novellas, and serials.
Three Sax Rohmer serials of 12 parts were presented, one of which regarded Fu Manchu:
- Daughter of Fu Manchu, 03/09/1930 - 05/25/1930

2 Fu Manchu
Guest Stars: John C. Daly as Fu Manchu, Charles Warburton as Nayland Smith

CBS aided a series of 31 half-hour programs from 09/26/1932 to 04/24/1933 on Monday nights. I do not know what they there based on.

3 Dr. Fu Manchu
Guest Stars: Frank Cochrane as Fu Manchu, D. A. Clarke-Smith as Nayland Smith

Radio Luxembourg, described as a "pirate radio station" outside of England, broadcast a series of 52 15-minute episodes aired each Sunday at 7 pm from 12/06/1936 to 11/28/1937. Many of the broadcasts were re-aired. The first half were written by Sax Rohmer and the second half by his wife Elizabeth or his biographer, Cay Van Ash.

The episodes were:
1. The Painted Kiss (6 December 1936)
2. The Clue of the Pigtail (13 December 1936)
3. The Mystery of the Red Moat (20 December 1936)
4. The Green Mist (27 December 1936)
5. The Call of Siva (3 January 1937)
6. The Hulk of the Flats (10 January 1937)
7. The Brain Thief (17 January 1937)
8. Aaron's Rod (24 January 1937)
9. The Living Dead (31 January 1937)
10. The Fungi Cellers (7 February 1937)
11. The Lord of Fires (14 February 1937)
12. The Wire Jacket (21 February 1937)
13. The Cry of the Nighthawk (28 February 1937)
14. The White Peacock (7 March 1947)
15. The Coughing Horror (14 March 1947)
16. The Capture of K'raman'h (21 March 1947)
17. The Silver Buddha (28 March 1947)
18. The Terror Tower (4 April 1937)
19. The Fiery Hand (11 April 1937)
20. The Return of Aziz (18 April 1937)
21. The Six Gates (25 April 1937)
22. The Mummy (2 May 1937)
23. The Brass Box (9 May 1937)
24. The Flower of Silence (16 May 1937)
25. The Golden Pomegranates (23 May 1937)
26. The Adventure of the Queen of Hearts (30 May 1937)
27. The Xagazig Mystery (6 June 1937 )
28. The House of Hashish (13 June 1937 )
29. The Lilies of Death (20 June 1937 )
30. Lady of the Si-Fan (27 June 1937 )
31. The House of the Wild Cat (4 July 1937)
32. The Lion Crypt (11 July 1937)
33. The Flying Death (18 July 1937)
34. The Shadow Army (25 July 1937)
35. Satan's Chapel (1 August 1937)
36. The Purple Shadow (8 August 1937)
37. The Flying Plague (15 August 1937)
38. The House of the Devil Doctor (22 August 1937)
39. The Hairless Horror (29 August 1937)
40. The Scented Drug (5 September 1937)
41. The Devil Doctor's Daughter (12 September 1937)
42. The Flower of Eternal Life (19 September 1937)
43. The Return of the Monk (26 September 1937)
44. The Big Raid (3 October 1937)
45. The Arrest of the Devil Doctor (10 October 1937)
46. The Secret of the Living Dead (17 October 1937)
47. The Sleeping Venus (24 October 1937)
48. The Vault of the Living Dead (31 October 1937)
49. The House of the Bloodhound (7 November 1937)
50. "Man Made Gold" (14 November 1937)
51. The Human Incinerator (21 November 1937)
52. The Hell Below the Thames (28 November 1937)

4 The Shadow of Fu Manchu
Guest Stars: Ted Osborne as Fu Manchu, Hanley Stafford as Nayland Smith

Starting on May 8th, 1939, a series of 156 15-minute programs were aired, at first 3 times a week and then daily.

1-21 - started 05/08/1939, based on The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
22-27 - started 06/26/1939, based on The Hand of Fu Manchu
28-39 - started 07/10/1939, based on The Return of Fu Manchu
40-78 - unknown start time, based on The Trail of Fu Manchu & President Fu Manchu
79-94 - started 08/07/1939, based on Daughter of Fu Manchu
95-97 - unknown
99-117 - 08/30/1939, based on The Mask of Fu Manchu
118-135       - 09/21/1939, based on The Drums of Fu Manchu
136-141       - unknown
142-156 - 10/19/1939, based on Bride of Fu Manchu

Episodes available on the web along with their possible first air date and the title associated by the station broadcasting it are:
05/08/1939 - Ep.001 - Insidious Dr Fu Manchu       
05/10/1939 - Ep.002 - The Red Hand Of Death       
05/12/1939 - Ep.003 - The Death List       
05/15/1939 - Ep.004 - In The Clutches Of Fu Manchu       
05/17/1939 - Ep.005 - An Ally Of Love       
05/19/1939 - Ep.006 - The Creature In The Night       
05/22/1939 - Ep.007 - Terror At Greymoat       
05/24/1939 - Ep.008 - Green Mist Of Death       
05/26/1939 - Ep.009 - Released From The Tomb       
05/29/1939 - Ep.010 - Prisoners Of Fu Manchu       
05/31/1939 - Ep.011 - The Call Of Siva       
06/02/1939 - Ep.012 - Karamanehs Story       
06/05/1939 - Ep.013 - The Deadly Bargain       
06/07/1939 - Ep.014 - Plans Of Destruction       
06/09/1939 - Ep.015 - Ship Of Spies       
06/12/1939 - Ep.016 - Karamenehs Plea       
06/14/1939 - Ep.017 - The Undead       
06/16/1939 - Ep.018 - Back To Life       
06/19/1939 - Ep.019 - The Poison Pit       
06/21/1939 - Ep.020 - The Last Laugh       
06/23/1939 - Ep.021 - Into The Flames       
06/26/1939 - Ep.022 - Mystery Of The Sifan       
06/28/1939 - Ep.023 - Flower Of Silence       
06/30/1939 - Ep.024 - The Man With Limp       
07/03/1939 - Ep.025 - The Treasure Of The Sifan       
07/05/1939 - Ep.026 - The Return Of Nyland Smith       
07/07/1939 - Ep.027 - The Golden Pomegranite       
07/10/1939 - Ep.028 - Kidnapped       
07/12/1939 - Ep.029 - Double For Murder       
07/14/1939 - Ep.030 - A Slave Once More       
07/17/1939 - Ep.031 - Conversation In The Dark       
07/19/1939 - Ep.032 - Snakes Head       
07/21/1939 - Ep.033 - Riddle Of The White Peacock       
07/24/1939 - Ep.034 - The Sacred Order Of The White Peacock       
07/26/1939 - Ep.035 - The Coughing Horror       
07/28/1939 - Ep.036 - In The Grip Of Death       
07/31/1939 - Ep.037 - In The Lair Of Fu Manchu       
08/02/1939 - Ep.038 - The Ghost Of The Gables       
08/04/1939 - Ep.039 - The Sword Of Samurai       
08/07/1939 - Ep.040 - The Purple Spot       
08/08/1939 - Ep.080 - Sign Of The White Peacock Discovered       
08/09/1939 - Ep.081 - Opening The Sarcophagus       
08/10/1939 - Ep.082 - Black Magic       
08/14/1939 - Ep.085 - The Council Of Seven       
08/15/1939 - Ep.086 - Grebble Under Madame Ingamars       
08/23/1939 - Ep.093 - Grebble And Smith Prisoners       
08/24/1939 - Ep.094 - Fu Manchu Appears       
08/30/1939 - Ep.099 - Arrow For Nyand Smith       
08/31/1939 - Ep.100 - Theft Of Relics Attemped       
09/03/1939 - Ep.102 - Joy Shop       
09/04/1939 - Ep.103 - Nayland Smith Tortured       
09/05/1939 - Ep.104 - Five Hour Old Corpse       
09/06/1939 - Ep.105 - Sean Greeble Disappears       
09/07/1939 - Ep.106 - Rima Kidnapped       
09/08/1939 - Ep.107 - Fu Manchu Releases Sean       
09/09/1939 - Ep.108 - Midnight Meeting At The Great Pyramid       
09/11/1939 - Ep.109 - Trapped In The Kings Chamber       
09/12/1939 - Ep.110 - Death To The Infidels       
09/13/1939 - Ep.111 - Nayland Denounces Relics As Fakes       
09/14/1939 - Ep.112 - Message From Damascus       
09/18/1939 - Ep.115 - Mysterious Sea Plane       
09/19/1939 - Ep.116 - Imitation Relics       
09/20/1939 - Ep.117 - Wedding Present       
09/23/1939 - Ep.120 - Secret Television Transmitter       
09/25/1939 - Ep.121 - The Green Death       
09/30/1939 - Ep.126 - Kerrigan Sees A Zombie       
10/02/1939 - Ep.127 - Beating Drums       
10/05/1939 - Ep.130 - The Silver Heels Explode       
10/06/1939 - Ep.131 - Murder On Camera       
10/10/1939 - Ep.134 - Assassination Of Pierre Delibes       
10/11/1939 - Ep.135 - A Strange Animal Attacks       
10/19/1939 - Ep.142 - A Visit From Florette       
10/20/1939 - Ep.143 - Nyland Smith And Paul Sterling Zombies       
10/21/1939 - Ep.144 - Nyland Smith A Member Of Sci Fan       
10/23/1939 - Ep.145 - The Orchid Of Life       
10/24/1939 - Ep.146 - Formula For 654       
10/25/1939 - Ep.147 - Fu Whips Fa Lo Swee       
10/26/1939 - Ep.148 - Fu Recaptures Nyland Smith       
10/27/1939 - Ep.149 - Death Dealing Flies       
10/28/1939 - Ep.150 - A Message From Fus Submarine       
10/30/1939 - Ep.151 - Secret Hideout Explodes       
11/02/1939 - Ep.154 - Is Fu In The Hospital       
11/03/1939 - Ep.155 - Fu Surrenders       
11/04/1939 - Ep.156 - Fu Escapes Final Episode       

5 NBC Molle Mystery Theatre

A half-hour narration of The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu was performed by Roc Rogers.

COMIC BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, AND MANGA

Number of Stories:3
First Appearance:1939
Last Appearance:1973

1 The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
Published by Detective Comics Inc.
Contributors: Sax Rohmer (writer), Leo O'Mealia (artist)
Copyright: 07/1938 - 04/1939

Printed in Issues #17 through #28 (12 issues) of Detective Comics. This was a graphic serialization of the first Fu-Manchu book.

2 The Mask of Dr. Fu Manchu The Mask of Dr. Fu Manchu
Published by Avon Periodicals Inc
Contributors: Sax Rohmer (writer), Wally Wood (artist)
Copyright: 07/1951

A One-Shot comic by the publisher that was a graphic format of the fifth Fu-Manchu book.
Reprints are the following:
1. Superior Publishers Limited in Canada (August 1951) with same cover.
2. I. W. Publishing / Super Comics (USA- 1958) in Dr. Fu Manchu Comic.
Note: There were 3 other reprints that span the years from 1982 to 2016

3 The Island of Fu Manchu The Island of Fu Manchu
Published by Amalgamated Press
Contributors: Sax Rohmer (writer)
Copyright: 07/1953

Printed in Super-Detective Library #9 with 64 pages. This was a graphic format of the tenth Fu-Manchu book.

4 The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu
Published by Marvel Comics
Contributors: Steve Englehart (writer and colorist), Jim Starlin (artist), Al Milgrom (inker), Tom Orzechowski (letterer)
Copyright: 1973

The constant struggle between Nayland Smith and Fu Manchu resumes when the 19-year-old son of the latter, Shang-Chi, has his constant training in a secluded Honan retreat ended. Fu Manchu wants his son to enter the outside world to take care of 'the most evil man in the world', Dr. Petrie. Shang-Chi is a true Master of Kung Fu and one of the most deadly in the world when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. He, unfortunately, has no idea about the true nature of his father.


For someone of Shang-Chi's abilities, getting to Petrie will be easy and so will be dispatching him. Leaving, he will meet Nayland Smith who will start to set him straight on his father's true nature. Shang-Chi returns to China where he confronts his American mother to seek the truth and learns how evil his father is. Fighting his way in to see his father, Shang-Chi has words with the man who had him kill the innocent Petrie; the conversation ends with the younger man vowing to fight the elder and the elder banishing him.


Thus will begin a long on-again-off-again relationship between Nayland Smith and the son of Fu Manchu, Shang-Chi. The number of separate issues of the graphic series of Master of Kung Fu and its many incarnations in which Nayland Smith appears is too numerous to mention here. Marvel.Fandom.com has a terrific listing of 90+ (as of this writing) different appearances.

GAMES

Number of Games:1
First Appearance:1967
Last Appearance:1967

1 Fu Manchu's Hidden Hoard Fu Manchu's Hidden Hoard
Game Type: Boardgame
Published by: Ideal
Copyright: 1967

A mystery game based on the books by Sax Rohmer. The object of the game is to find the hidden treasure first.
The treasure is in a random location and this is determined by the players as they play. It also appears that each of players,
that can be 8 in total are playing as if Sir Denis Nayland Smith with 2 each playing pieces of blue, green, orange and white.
The game also includes the game board, 1 die, clue cards, information pad and instructions. The winner is the player that
finds the treasure before the other players. The game seems to be something like the game of clue in a way.

COLLECTIBLES

Number of Collectibles:1
First Appearance:1923
Last Appearance:1923

1 The Mystery of Dr. Fu Manchu Set The Mystery of Dr. Fu Manchu Set
Item Type: Movie Cards
Created by: The Stoll Film Co., Inc.
Copyright: 1923

A series of 25 cards printed with characters and scenes from the movie and sent to theaters across the UK to display.

REFERENCE BOOKS

Number of Books:1
First Appearance:2016
Last Appearance:2016

1 China and the Chinese in Popular Film China and the Chinese in Popular Film
Written by Jeffrey Richards
Copyright: 2016

"There's a folk memory of China in which numberless yellow hordes pour out of the 'mysterious East' to overwhelm the vulnerable West, accompanied by a stereotype of the Chinese as cruel, cunning and depraved. Hollywood films played their part in perpetuating these myths and stereotypes that constituted 'The Yellow Peril'. Jeffrey Richards examines in detail how and why they did it. He shows how the negative image was embodied in recurrent cinematic depictions of opium dens, tong wars, sadistic dragon ladies and corrupt warlords and how, in the 1930s and 1940s, a countervailing positive image involved the heroic peasants of The Good Earth and Dragon Seed fighting against Japanese invasion in wartime tributes to the West's ally, Nationalist China. The cinema's split level response is also traced through the images of the ultimate Oriental villain, the sinister Dr. Fu Manchu and the timeless Chinese hero, the intelligent and benevolent detective Charlie Chan.Filling a longstanding gap in Cinema and Cultural History, the book is founded in fresh research into Hollywood's shifting representations of China and its people."
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MY COMMENTS

I really love the Fu Manchu books as a young teenager. This was around the time the Christopher Lee movies were coming out and while I never saw them then as they did not come to South Dakota as far as I knew, I did see pictures of them in magazines and was interested so grabbed the first couple of books. In the 70s I started them up again and read the lot of them. I still enjoyed them but it always struck me that Nayland Smith was definitely no real detective as he was always (IMHO) reacting to things and not really figuring them out on his own. As a result, it felt like he was accidentally successful too much. And the infamous Fu Manchu, genius and mastermind, sure picked a lot of inept people to do his bidding because he was always coming up short.

One thing that did not occur to me but which I read a whole lot about now when talking about this series is the concept of the "Yellow Peril". I mean, I have read a good amount recently about the bigotry and fear-mongering about the danger from China that supposedly permeates all the books. I never saw it. Of course, there is a ton of material in the pages about how dangerous and threatening Fu Manchu and his horde is but that was one group, not a whole race. Obviously I missed something and I think I'm better off for the oversight.

GRADE

My Grade: B

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