CHANDU ON THE MAGIC ISLAND (1935) Bela Lugosi, Maria Alba & Clara Young | Fantasy, Adventure | B&W

Chandu On Magic Island is a 1935 American fantasy film based on the radio series Chandu the Magician. It was produced by Sol Lesser and directed by Ray Taylor, and starred Béla Lugosi as Frank Chandler (aka Chandu the Magician).

In 1935, the remaining 8 episodes of The Return Of Chandu (1934) of the serial were also edited into a second feature film, of 65 minute length, released. This serial marked one of the few times that Lugosi played a protagonist rather than an antagonist: in fact, Lugosi had played Roxor, the main villain, in the 1932 film Chandu the Magician.

SYNOPSIS
On the mystic island of Lemuria, the cult of Ubasti seek the Egyptian Princess Nadji to sacrifice so that their goddess Ossana, whose soul resides in Nadji's body, may be resurrected by Black Magic. Nadji is located in the Far East port of Suva, but shielded by the White Magical powers of Frank Chandler, an American raised by Eastern mystics who is also known as Chandu. When Chandu takes a voyage alone, however, the evil Voice of Ubasti is able to magically spirit her to Lemuria, where Black Magic reigns supreme. Chandu sets out in pursuit with his sister Dorothy, niece Betty and nephew Bob; but, shipwrecked on the magic island, Chandu finds his family also held prisoner for sacrifice while he is plunged into an endless maze of caverns beneath the evil temple, where both his mortal and magical strength seem rendered useless.

Frank Chandler (Béla Lugosi in a rare heroic role): a powerful but kind man who has spent most of his life in the Orient, where he is renowned under the name of "Chandu the Magician" for his tremendous skill with White Magic. He is in love with the Princess Nadji of Egypt, who has lately escaped to America and is now staying with the Chandler family at their home in Beverly Hills, California. Princess Nadji believes she has left her troubles behind in Egypt, but when the Chandlers hold a party in her honor, she learns that her life is still in jeopardy, as are the lives of her friends. Chandu, presently arriving home from Egypt himself, is pursued by enemies at the airport, and escapes only by using his magic ring. At the party, some shady guests conspire to poison Princess Nadji, and Chandu arrives just in time to snatch the glass of deadly wine out of her hand.

Chandu explains to Nadji what has happened, and why she is in danger. A cult of Black Magic sorcerers, the Sect of Ubasti, have recently recovered the perfectly preserved body of their last high priestess, Ossana. Legend tells that Ossana will one day be resurrected and will rule the "lost continent" of Lemuria again; however, in order to resurrect her, the Ubasti must make a human sacrifice, and the sacrifice must be an Egyptian princess of royal blood. Chandu says: "Princess Nadji is the only living Egyptian princess and the Ubasti will stop at nothing". The cult are determined to capture Nadji and sacrifice her to their god.

CAST & CREW
Béla Lugosi as Frank Chandler, aka Chandu the Magician
Maria Alba as Princess Nadji
Clara Kimball Young as Dorothy Regent
Dean Benton as Bob Regent
Phyllis Ludwig as Betty Regent
Murdock MacQuarrie as The "Voice" of Ubasti
Wilfred Lucas as Capt. Wilson
Jack J. Clark as Vitras, High Priest of Ubasti
Josef Swickard as Tyba, the White Magician

Directed by Ray Taylor
Written by Barry Barringer (adaptation)
Produced by Sol Lesser
Cinematography John Hickson
Edited by Carl Himm, Louis Sackin
Production company Sol Lesser Productions
Distributed by Principal Distributing Corp.
Release date August 1935
Running time 70 minutes
Country United States
Language English