Premier Collections:
The Shadow of Fu Manchu, Volume 1
Liner notes written by Elizabeth McLeod; show descriptions written by Ivan G. Shreve Jr.

Click to listen to an audio sample

Dark nights, ominous fog -- and a sense of mounting fear. Knowing that somewhere -- he is lurking, plotting, planning, scheming what new ungodly terrors.

His shadow falls across your path -- the Shadow of Fu Manchu!

Enter the world of Sax Rohmer's sinister Asian mastermind in this exciting collection of syndicated broadcasts from 1939, presented in digitally restored audio. Adapted from Rohmer's books "The Daughter of Fu Manchu" and "The Mask of Fu Manchu," these episodes only recently resurfaced thru the efforts of radio historian Martin Grams and OTR dealer Ted Davenport.

"The Shadow of Fu Manchu" was produced in two series, as a joint venture of the Hollywood program production firm of Fields Brothers Inc. and the New York-based syndicated program distributor Radio Attractions, Inc. The episodes were recorded in Hollywood at the studios of Radio Recorders in the winter of 1938-39, and the series was officially released in a lavish New York press party in December 1938. The episodes aired in various locations at various times and on various dates during 1939 and 1940, and were available for sponsorship by local businesses in each city where the programs aired. Radio Attractions made available a complete promotional package to assist in marketing the series -- and offered sponsors special premiums to be offered in conjunction with their commercial announcements, including a Chinese linking ring puzzle packaged in a special "Fu Manchu" envelope. The recordings presented here are taken from original vinyl syndication discs and do not include the local commercials or premium offers.

 The cast for this series is headed by two veteran Hollywood character actors -- performers ironically better known for their comedy roles. Gale Gordon -- one of radio's great comic foils -- appears as Dr. James Petrie, and Hanley Stafford -- best known as Baby Snooks's Daddy -- carries the role of Nayland Smith. Other performers heard in the series include Edmond O'Brien, Paula Winslowe and Gerald Mohr. The identity of the actor who portrays Dr. Fu Manchu himself was long a point of debate -- but research by radio historian Elizabeth McLeod in 2002 uncovered documentation positively identifying this actor as Lou Marcelle -- a staff announcer at station KFWB, Hollywood -- whose voice projects just the right sinister edge for the role.

Follow Dr. Petrie and Nayland Smith as they investigate the apparent death and resurrection of famed Egyptologist Sir Lionel Barton, and once again find themselves probing into the activities of Fu Manchu and his daughter. Fiendish tortures, harrowing escapes, forbidden relics -- all the ingredients for spine-chilling adventure await!

Here is the complete content of "The Shadow of Fu Manchu, Volume 1"

Serial #3, Episode #79 (First Episode of the Story)
Dr. James Petrie receives the news from Sean Grebble of the demise of his good friend Sir Lionel Barton, the eminent Egyptologist. Arriving at the site of Barton’s expedition, Petrie, Grebble and Superintendent Weymouth are flummoxed to learn that Sir Lionel’s corpse has vanished!
Monday, August 7, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #80
From the description given to him by Barton’s niece Rima and his associate Forrester, Petrie and Weymouth are able to deduce that a certain "Madame Ingomar" who’s been sighted at the Tomb of the Black Ape is none other than "The Lady of the Si-Fan".
Tuesday, August 8, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #81
Superintendent Weymouth and Grebble decide to explore the Tomb of the Black Ape after learning that Madam Ingomar has been sighted there. As they open the sarcophagus where "The Sign of the White Peacock" was discovered, they find the body of Sir Lionel Barton!
Wednesday, August 9, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #82
Petrie is able to revive Sir Lionel with his antidote, and Rima tells Grebble that she spotted the mysterious Madame Ingomar shortly after discovering Barton’s body. A mysterious Arab servant who’s attached to a British diplomat turns out to be none other than Sir Nayland Smith!
Thursday, August 10, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #85
Smith, Petrie, Grebble and Weymouth successfully overpower the monks in order to gain access to the "House of Ismael" where the "Council of Seven" is scheduled to meet. Unfortunately, they are soon recognized by Madame Ingomar, and Smith is fated to meet "The Protracted Death"!
Monday, August 14, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #86
Dr. Petrie has finally been able to bring Sir Lionel out of his coma, although Barton has absolutely no memory of the events that have taken place. Meanwhile, Sean Grebble is being held prisoner aboard ship by Madame Ingomar, who professes her love for him.
Tuesday, August 15, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #93
Madame Ingomar reveals to Sean Grebble the body of the traitorous Lee King Soo, stored in a baggage trunk. She has a second trunk in store for Sean and a third for Sir Nayland Smith, who is being held prisoner in the house.
Wednesday, August 23, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #94
Smith admits to Grebble that he’s made a fatal mistake by having Petrie and Weymouth watch the wrong house, and also informs the young man that Lee King Soo is chief assistant to Dr. Fu Manchu. Madame Ingomar enters and threatens her prisoners...but the conversation is interrupted with the surprise arrival of Fu Manchu!
Thursday, August 24, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #99
Sir Lionel Barton is shot at by a mysterious stranger, a member of a group of fanatics attempting to frighten him into leaving Isfahan. Grebble briefs a newly-arrived Smith on the circumstances surrounding Van Berg’s murder.
Wednesday, August 30, 1939– 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #100
Smith, having narrowly escaped death by poisoned arrow, lectures Sir Lionel on his foolhardy act of bringing the sacred Mokana relics to Isfahan. It would appear that Barton’s deed has revived a fanatical devotion to the prophet "El Mokan"...and a subsequent attempt to steal the relics would suggest that Smith is correct.
Thursday, August 31, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #103
Smith finally convinces Sir Lionel that Persia is no longer safe because of the presence of Fu Manchu, and so they charter a plane to Cairo. But Fu Manchu is already on the plane and has it hijacked to Bagdad…and into his captivity!
Monday, September 4, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #104
Smith, Sir Lionel, Rima and Grebble are rescued from Fu Manchu’s clutches by the authorities, and so the trek to Cairo continues. Petrie picks them up at the airport and, on the way to their destination, hits a native with his car…a native which turns out to be a corpse that’s been dead for five hours!
Tuesday, September 5, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #105
Rima is upset when Sir Nayland Smith suggests she return to London and out of harm’s way. Sean Grebble disappears shortly after his party is to meet with Winslow, and he’s spotted in the company of an Asian woman, Fa Lo Swee.
Wednesday, September 6, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #106
Once again in the clutches of Fu Manchu, Grebble is told by the insidious villain that Sir Lionel’s desecration of the tomb of El Mokana and swiping of the relics has played right into his hands. He injects Grebble with a drug that will make him his mindless slave!
Thursday, September 7, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #107
Under the spell of Fu Manchu, Grebble kidnaps Rima and brings her to Fu’s hideout. With Rima his prisoner, he no longer has any use for Grebble…and plans to trade his captive for the sacred El Mokana relics in Sir Lionel’s possession.
Friday, September 8, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #108
Negotiations get underway to bargain with Fu Manchu for Rima’s life by handing over to him the sacred relics of El Mokana, despite Sir Lionel’s rather vocal objections. An Egyptian lawyer arranges for a meeting near the Great Pyramid of Giza at midnight.
Saturday, September 9, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #109
Smith, Petrie, Grebble and Sir Lionel discuss the impending meeting at the Pyramid and plot to trap Fu Manchu’s agents with a blockade of police. But once Smith and Petrie enter the Kings’ Chamber, they find themselves at Fu’s mercy when a stone barrier drops over the opening!
Monday, September 11, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #110
Trapped in the Kings’ Chamber, Smith and Petrie are greeted by Fu Manchu, who returns Rima to the two men and allows them to escape. Both parties have agreed to a ten-minute truce, but once outside our heroes encounter a hostile group of angry natives.
Tuesday, September 12, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #111
Fu Manchu astounds our heroes by escaping from the Great Pyramid despite that the police cordoning off the area outside. Sir Nayland Smith soon learns that Sir Lionel has tricked Fu by handing over fake relics…and as a result, a riot breaks out among the natives.
Wednesday, September 13, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #112
Upon the discovery of the fake relics, Sir Nayland Smith advises Sir Lionel to leave Egypt at once when Smith learns that Fu Manchu is on Barton’s trail. Meanwhile, Rima supplies Petrie and Grebble with some of the missing information of what transpired the night Grebble kidnapped her.
Thursday, September 14, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #115
On the ship, Rima and Grebble hear the motor of what would appear to be an approaching seaplane as Kennington, an agent of Fu Manchu, jumps overboard and escapes on the plane. Sir Lionel Barton learns that the packages containing the relics have been stolen…but will he have the last laugh on Fu?
Monday, September 18, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #116
Sean Grebble and Paul Rickson hear the voice of Fa Lo Swee from the basement window of the house next door, and when they go over to investigate they are jumped by Arabs. The attackers vanish as quickly as they came, but a note has been left behind for Grebble…from Fa Lo Swee.
Tuesday, September 19, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions

Serial #3, Episode #117 (Last Episode of the Story)
Grebble learns from several eminent experts that the relics obtained by Sir Lionel Barton are fakes. Sir Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie are informed of the situation and attribute the switch to none other than Fu Manchu…who’s enough of a sport to visit Grebble with a wedding present!
Wednesday, September 20, 1939 – 15:00 – Syndicated by Radio Attractions
 

The History of "The Shadow of Fu Manchu"
by Martin Grams, Jr.

In 1939, a long-running "Fu Manchu" program was produced, probably the most popular of the five different radio productions spanning 1927 to 1944. This was a series of 156 fifteen-minute episodes, under the overall title "The Shadow of Fu Manchu." The series was recorded, transcribed, and released through Fields Brothers in Hollywood. After the recordings were completed, all 156 episodes were pressed and the transcription discs were distributed to radio stations across the country. This allowed the stations to play the episodes in any time slot they wanted. Some presented the series on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while others broadcast on all five weekdays.

Lou Marcelle played Dr. Fu Manchu, with Hanley Stafford as Nayland Smith, Gale Gordon as Dr. James Petrie, Paula Winslowe as Karameneh, and Edmund O'Brien as Inspector Rymer. It has not been confirmed whether O'Brien or Gerald Mohr was the announcer. (It was common for radio announcers to double in an acting role, which would give credence to the claim that it was O'Brien, but until someone turns up a recorded interview with either actor providing that information, or can find the original scripts, cast credits included, neither name should be taken as the gospel.) Frank Nelson and Norman Fields played supporting roles.

40 episodes from "The Shadow of Fu Manchu" series have been floating about in circulation among collectors for the last few decades - 39 of them definitely the first serial in complete form. The single out-of-sequence episode that has been in circulation is not (as many people have assumed), episode number forty; In fact, from observation, narrowing down possibilities, and applying a little common sense, I suspect that the out-of-sequence episode many people label as episode #40 is either episode 136, 137, 138, 139, 140 or 141.

The adaptations were quite faithful to the original books, though in the middle of the series the episodes occur in somewhat jumbled order. From what is known so far:

Episodes #1 to #21 are adapted from "The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu" (1913).
Episodes #22 to #27 are adapted from "The Hand of Fu Manchu" (1917).
Episodes #28 to #39 are adapted from "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu" (1916).
Episodes #40 to #78 are adapted from "Trail of Fu Manchu" (1934) and "President of Fu Manchu" (1936).
Episodes #79 to #94 are adapted from "Daughter of Fu Manchu" (1931).
Episodes #99 to #117 are adapted from "Mask of Fu Manchu" (1932).
Episodes #118 to #135 are adapted from "Drums of Fu Manchu" (1939).
Episodes #142 to #156 fare adapted from "Bride of Fu Manchu" (1933).

Many sources wrongly list the 1939-40 Fu Manchu series as being a 77 or 78 episode broadcast run. The reality is that 156 episodes were actually recorded and aired. Four separate serials were recorded - each 39 consecutive episodes in length and each adapted from more than one Sax Rohmer story.

* * * * *
Martin Grams, Jr. is the author of numerous books about old-time radio including "Inner Sanctum Mysteries: Behind the Creaking Door," "Suspense: Twenty Years of Thrills and Chills," "The Sound of Detection: Ellery Queen's Adventures on Radio," and the highly-acclaimed "The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion." All of these books are available for purchase at www.Amazon.com.

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