feaito Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 This highly enjoyable Pre-Code is scheduled on 5/27/05, at 4:00PM (Eastern Time). I taped the "colorized" version from TCM-Latin (most black and white films are aired in their colorized versions on TCM-Latin). This film is short (68 minutes) and superbly entertaining. It tells the story of a Chinese evil scientist/warlord (Boris Karloff) who wants to seize the golden mask and sword which belonged to Genghis Khan, to dominate the world and impose the supremacy of Eastern Cultures over the "Western World". Karloff is rightly cast as the menacing Fu Manchu, more frightful than ever; this role along with the ones he played in "Frankenstein", "The Mummy" and "The Old Dark House", are my favorites of him. Mention apart deserves a pre-"The Thin Man" Myrna Loy, as his "ugly and insignificant daughter", an oversexed, nymphomaniac and sadist oriental girl, who's got as aides in her schemes, many tall, muscular black men, dressed in loin-cloths. Check the scene where he has the hero (Charles Starrett) whipped and the others where she has him at her mercy. Lewis Stone plays the head of the British Secret Service, who wants to prevent Fu Manchu from finding Genghis Khan's tomb and thus, his sword and mask. Karen Morley plays the daughter of the British scientist who knows the Tomb's exact localization in China and who's kidnapped by Fu Manchu; hunky Charles Starrett plays her fianc?, who is also very much sought after by Myrna Loy. A must-see for Pre-Code, Adventure and Horror fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flickerknickers Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Oh, miGod, feito! This one has long been one of my most treasured faves and my version--taped ten years ago from PBS--is nearly extinct. Now, I'll record it again--and you say it might be colorzied? This should really jazz up this hot, pulsing little numbah! My favorite scene is when the gorgeous, nearly **** Charles Starret is strapped to a sacrificial table. Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu tortures him and the glorious Charles writhes and pants in delirious agony. Myrna Loy is a scream as Manchu's "Ugly Daughter." I love those great Cedric Gibbons sets, those nearly invisible loinclothes worn by those powerful looking guards. And did you notice that silver-haired, elegant Lewis Stone plays the hero? Thanks for the heads-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenwal34 Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 paty, Our tastes in movies are very similar,but I must make an exception about this film . First to the issue of colorization.This film has fine black and white photography.No color please! Next is Karloffs role as Fu. IMHO Christopher Lee and Henry Brandon comes closer to the Fu of the novels. Karloff is one of my alltime favorites but not here.Same for Starrett.A fine Durango Kid, but again, not in this movie. By the way,Im still enjoying those Argento thrillers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 Thanks Paty, The Colorized version was aired in TCM-Latin, because as I stated, most black an white movies (which were colorized in the 1980s and were aired in TNT in those years, before TCM existed) are shown in their colorized versions in TCM-Latin (i.e.: "Topper", "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex", "The Sea Hawk", "The Bride Came C.O.D."; etc.). I believe TCM does not show (anymore) colorized versions of classic black and white films. In my case, I just turn off the color and watch them in black and white...and when I'm "in the mood" I watch them in those "pastel colors". The scene which you talk about is when Starrett is being injected a "serum" that will have him under the spell of Loy & Karloff, and do whatever they will. He's strapped on a sort of "Operations Table" and around him are these "muscular" slaves wearing loin-cloths, standing above pedestals and thus resembling "living statues". Afterwards it's Karen Morley (dressed as a white virgin) who's taken to a sacrificial "tableau" in front of an Oriental God. Great Film! Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moviejoe79 Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Fernando - Thank you for the heads up on this Pre-Code! I've never seen it, but I've heard about it, and it's been on my mental list of "must see" movies. I'll be sure to get it on tape! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted March 24, 2005 Author Share Posted March 24, 2005 Welcome Joe. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 This film is a true guilty pleasure. (However, I am shocked that any station is still showing colorized films, with the exception of Shirley Temples, which I think Fox must feel will appeal more to kids in color than b/w. That was a thankfully short-lived trend in the early 80s but the outcry was such that the practice mercifully stopped. Of course, as the poster below noted, one can just turn off the color) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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