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Chandu the Magician

January 23, 2023

This article is about the 1930s–1950s radio series. For the 1932 film, see Chandu the Magician (film).

Chandu the Magician is an American supernatural radio drama which originally aired from 1931–1936. A revival on a different network took place 12 years later, airing from 1948–1950. The series was created by Harry A. Earnshaw (1878–1953) and Raymond R. Morgan.[1] The two series portrayed the adventures of Frank Chandler, also known as Chandu, an American who had learned mystical arts, such as astral projection, which he used to fight criminals and villains, including the evil Baron Roxor.[2] Chandu was Steve Ditko's and Stan Lee's inspiration for the more famous Marvel Comics character Doctor Strange.[3]

Chandu the Magician
Audio CD collection cover
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
AnnouncerHoward Culver
Written byVera Oldham
Directed byCyril Armbrister
Original release10 March 1932 (1932-03-10) – 6 September 1950 (1950-09-06)

Radio version

The original version

Launched in 1931 on KHJ in Los Angeles, the series was soon heard through the West Coast when broadcast on the Don Lee Network. It was then heard, starting in February 1932, over WOR in the East. Nationally, it aired over the Mutual Network beginning on October 8, 1932. The series was sponsored by White King Soap in the West and by Beech Nut Gum in the East.[1]

Gayne Whitman played the lead role of American-born Frank Chandler, who had learned occult secrets from a yogi in India. Known as Chandu, he possessed several supernatural skills, including astral projection, teleportation and the ability to create illusions. Chandu's goal was to "go forth with his youth and strength to conquer the evil that threatens mankind".[citation needed] His sister, Dorothy Regent, was portrayed by Margaret MacDonald.[1]

Cyril Armbrister directed the scripts by Vera Oldham which took Chandu to far-flung locales, both real and mythical. Romantic interludes for Chandu were introduced with Egyptian Princess Nadji (Veola Vonn). Music was first furnished by Felix Mills and then Raymond Paige.[1] According to Veola Vonn, the program was broadcast from the KHJ building on Melrose Avenue;[citation needed] the KHJ building is still standing, although the KHJ studios are no longer in use.[citation needed]

In 1932, Walter Winchell noted: "One of the smaller radio chains has a feature called Chandu, which is Hindu-Chinese for an opium preparation. In fewer words – dope".[4]

In 1935, the production moved to WGN Chicago with a new cast, including Howard Hoffman in the title role and Cornelia Osgood as Dorothy. Her children, Bob and Betty, were played by Olan Soule and Audrey McGrath. When this series came to an end in 1936,[1] WGN's productions of Chandu were transcribed in the Chicago facilities of the World Broadcasting System for use on other stations. In April 1935, they were being broadcast on one other station, WJR in Detroit, Mich.[5]

Revival

Twelve years later, the series was revived on the Mutual–Don Lee Network on June 28, 1948, as a 15-minute weekday program starring Tom Collins as Chandu and Luis van Rooten as the villainous Roxor, plotting world domination.[1] With Howard Culver as the announcer and music by organist Korla Pandit, that series continued until January 28, 1949.[1] The serial continuity was dropped on February 2, 1949 in favor of 30-minute episodes, each with a self-contained storyline, continuing in that format until April 28, 1949.[1] Culver often read commercials with Pandit's organ music in the background.[citation needed]

On October 15, 1949, Chandu the Magician moved to ABC, where it was heard Saturdays at 7:30 pm until June and then on Wednesdays at 9:30 pm. The last broadcast was September 6, 1950.[1]

Film adaptation

In 1932, Chandu the Magician was adapted into a film starring Edmund Lowe as the eponymous character, with Bela Lugosi as Roxor and Irene Ware as Nadji.[2] Strangely, in the later serial The Return of Chandu (1934), Lugosi himself took over the lead role. On February 26, 1934, the "Looking Back" column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner noted:

"Radio fans who have been enjoying the Chandu the Magician broadcasts, which have been sponsored by the National Grocery and Reliance Coffee, will be happy to know that the program has been made into a talking picture. The broadcast, which is regularly heard over KFQD, can be seen at the Empress Theater for this premier production".[6]

Original series episodes

Revival episodes

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-0195076783. Retrieved 2019-11-09. Chandu the Magician, juvenile adventure Raymond R. Morgan and Harry A. Earnshaw Margaret MacDonald.
  2. ^ a b Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 19–20. ISBN 081601356X.
  3. ^ Daniels, Les (1991). Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics. New York: Harry N. Abrams. p. 114. ISBN 978-0810938212. Inspired by the Mutual Network radio show Chandu the Magician, which [Stan] Lee had enjoyed during his childhood, Dr. Strange was in fact a more impressive character than Chandu.
  4. ^ Winchell, Walter (1932-03-01). "On Broadway". Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. p. 9. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  5. ^ "Chandu Magician Series Is Revived and Recorded" (PDF). Broadcasting. April 1, 1935. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Looking Back", Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, February 26, 1934.

External links

  • Zoot Radio, free old time radio show downloads of Chandu the Magician

January 23, 2023
chandu, magician, this, article, about, 1930s, 1950s, radio, series, 1932, film, film, american, supernatural, radio, drama, which, originally, aired, from, 1931, 1936, revival, different, network, took, place, years, later, airing, from, 1948, 1950, series, c. This article is about the 1930s 1950s radio series For the 1932 film see Chandu the Magician film Chandu the Magician is an American supernatural radio drama which originally aired from 1931 1936 A revival on a different network took place 12 years later airing from 1948 1950 The series was created by Harry A Earnshaw 1878 1953 and Raymond R Morgan 1 The two series portrayed the adventures of Frank Chandler also known as Chandu an American who had learned mystical arts such as astral projection which he used to fight criminals and villains including the evil Baron Roxor 2 Chandu was Steve Ditko s and Stan Lee s inspiration for the more famous Marvel Comics character Doctor Strange 3 Chandu the MagicianAudio CD collection coverCountry of originUnited StatesLanguage s EnglishAnnouncerHoward CulverWritten byVera OldhamDirected byCyril ArmbristerOriginal release10 March 1932 1932 03 10 6 September 1950 1950 09 06 Contents 1 Radio version 1 1 The original version 1 2 Revival 2 Film adaptation 3 Original series episodes 4 Revival episodes 5 References 6 External linksRadio version EditThe original version Edit Launched in 1931 on KHJ in Los Angeles the series was soon heard through the West Coast when broadcast on the Don Lee Network It was then heard starting in February 1932 over WOR in the East Nationally it aired over the Mutual Network beginning on October 8 1932 The series was sponsored by White King Soap in the West and by Beech Nut Gum in the East 1 Gayne Whitman played the lead role of American born Frank Chandler who had learned occult secrets from a yogi in India Known as Chandu he possessed several supernatural skills including astral projection teleportation and the ability to create illusions Chandu s goal was to go forth with his youth and strength to conquer the evil that threatens mankind citation needed His sister Dorothy Regent was portrayed by Margaret MacDonald 1 Cyril Armbrister directed the scripts by Vera Oldham which took Chandu to far flung locales both real and mythical Romantic interludes for Chandu were introduced with Egyptian Princess Nadji Veola Vonn Music was first furnished by Felix Mills and then Raymond Paige 1 According to Veola Vonn the program was broadcast from the KHJ building on Melrose Avenue citation needed the KHJ building is still standing although the KHJ studios are no longer in use citation needed In 1932 Walter Winchell noted One of the smaller radio chains has a feature called Chandu which is Hindu Chinese for an opium preparation In fewer words dope 4 In 1935 the production moved to WGN Chicago with a new cast including Howard Hoffman in the title role and Cornelia Osgood as Dorothy Her children Bob and Betty were played by Olan Soule and Audrey McGrath When this series came to an end in 1936 1 WGN s productions of Chandu were transcribed in the Chicago facilities of the World Broadcasting System for use on other stations In April 1935 they were being broadcast on one other station WJR in Detroit Mich 5 Revival Edit Twelve years later the series was revived on the Mutual Don Lee Network on June 28 1948 as a 15 minute weekday program starring Tom Collins as Chandu and Luis van Rooten as the villainous Roxor plotting world domination 1 With Howard Culver as the announcer and music by organist Korla Pandit that series continued until January 28 1949 1 The serial continuity was dropped on February 2 1949 in favor of 30 minute episodes each with a self contained storyline continuing in that format until April 28 1949 1 Culver often read commercials with Pandit s organ music in the background citation needed On October 15 1949 Chandu the Magician moved to ABC where it was heard Saturdays at 7 30 pm until June and then on Wednesdays at 9 30 pm The last broadcast was September 6 1950 1 Film adaptation EditIn 1932 Chandu the Magician was adapted into a film starring Edmund Lowe as the eponymous character with Bela Lugosi as Roxor and Irene Ware as Nadji 2 Strangely in the later serial The Return of Chandu 1934 Lugosi himself took over the lead role On February 26 1934 the Looking Back column in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner noted Radio fans who have been enjoying the Chandu the Magician broadcasts which have been sponsored by the National Grocery and Reliance Coffee will be happy to know that the program has been made into a talking picture The broadcast which is regularly heard over KFQD can be seen at the Empress Theater for this premier production 6 Original series episodes Edit03 17 32 9 Transferred To Egypt 03 23 32 13 The Slave Auction 04 12 32 27 Important Papers Missing 04 13 32 28 Betty amp Bob Disappear 04 20 32 33 Abdallah Joins Chandu 04 21 32 34 Held At Gunpoint 05 30 32 61 Finds Hidden Passageway 05 31 32 62 Captured By Roxor 09 12 32 136 Chandu Warns Nicky 09 13 32 137 Betty Reminisces 09 14 32 138 Gunfire Heard 09 30 32 150 Learns Estaben s Identity 10 03 32 151 Nadji Disappears 10 04 32 152 Dimitri Defeated 10 05 32 153 Exposes Count To Nicholas 10 06 32 154 Saves Nadji From Fire 10 07 32 155 Leaving After The Fire 10 11 32 157 Warns Murderer 10 12 32 158 Yogi Warns Chandu 10 13 32 159 The Clock Strikes Five 11 08 32 177 News Of Robert s Whereabouts 11 16 32 183 Will Chandu Save Dorothy 11 17 32 184 Magic Fails 11 18 32 185 Chandu amp Betty Visit Dorothy 11 21 32 186 Cobra Decides Fate 11 22 32 187 Bob Plans A Swap 11 23 32 188 To The Temple 11 24 32 189 Robert Returns 11 25 32 190 Finds Betty amp Bob 11 28 32 191 Dr Shaw amp Black Magic 11 29 32 192 Nadji Arrives 11 30 32 193 Magic Successful 01 27 33 235 In Algiers 01 30 33 236 Buying Perfume 01 31 33 237 Sees Nicholas 02 01 33 238 Warning From Chandu 02 03 33 240 Motor Trouble 02 06 33 241 Family Reunited 02 07 33 242 Betty amp Bob Sneak Out 02 08 33 243 Tells Story 02 09 33 244 Note From Dimitri 02 10 33 245 Blank Letter 02 13 33 246 At Dimitri s Villa 02 14 33 247 Driver Flees 02 15 33 248 Nicky s Information 02 16 33 249 Crystal Smashed 02 17 33 250 Snake Charmer 02 20 33 251 Discuss Situation 02 21 33 252 Locked In Inner Room 02 22 33 253 Chandu Recognized 02 23 33 254 Note Found 04 17 33 291 Water Supply Low 04 18 33 292 Crystal Vision Fulfilled 04 19 33 293 Nadji Is Murder Suspect 04 20 33 294 Cigarette Poison Discovered 04 21 33 295 Vindion Spotted 04 24 33 296 A Man Looks Like Vindion 04 25 33 297 Native Tells A Story 04 26 33 298 Aboard The Liner 04 27 33 299 The Island Of Lura 05 01 33 301 At The Entrance Of The Cave 05 02 33 302 Drums Underground 05 03 33 303 Bob Explores The Cave 05 04 33 304 Nadji Gives Chandu A Warning 05 05 33 305 Vindion Talks To His People Several Skips 05 08 33 306 Nadji Is Convinced She Must Stay 05 09 33 307 Vindion Forced To Awaked The Children 05 10 33 308 Vindion Tries To Stop Chandu 05 11 33 309 Bob Finds Poison And A Letter 05 17 33 313 Drawings From Limura 05 23 33 317 Nadji Is Afraid Of Vitrius 05 24 33 318 In Vitrius Observatory 05 25 33 319 Vitrius Telescope Is A Radio 05 26 33 320 Plans To The Ruined Temple 05 29 33 321 Vitrius Changes Plans 05 30 33 322 Bob amp Betty Worried About Their Mother 05 31 33 323 The Temple Of Death 06 01 33 324 Vitrius Thought Chandler Was Dead 07 07 33 350 Mrs Regis Meets With Mr Motleon 08 21 33 381 Preparing For The Next Trip 10 24 34 Chandu Warns Nicholas 10 25 34 Betty Reminisces 10 26 34 Gunfire Heard 10 29 34 Estaben s Identity Is Learned 10 30 34 Nadji Disappears 10 31 34 Dimitri Defeated 11 01 34 Exposes Count To Nicholas 11 02 34 Nadji Saved From Fire 11 06 34 Miniature Statue Recovered 11 08 34 Cafe Waiter Is Otto 11 09 34 Yogi Warns Chandu 11 20 34 News Of Robert s Location 12 19 34 Will Chandu Save Dorothy 12 20 34 Magic Fails 12 21 34 Chandu amp Betty Visit Dorothy 12 25 34 Bob Plans A Swap 12 26 34 To The Temple 12 27 34 Robert Returns 12 28 34 Bob amp Betty Found 12 31 34 Dr Shaw amp Black Magic 12 22 34 Cobra Decides Fate 01 01 35 Nadji Arrives 01 02 35 Magic Successful 06 24 35 Adrift at Sea 06 25 35 Poison Death 06 26 35 Nadji Is Accused 06 27 35 Cigarettes Of Death 06 28 35 Rescue at Sea 07 01 35 The Island Of Suva 07 02 35 MrWilson s Charter Boat 07 03 35 The Footprint 07 04 35 Vindion Strikes 07 06 35 The Search For Nadji 07 07 35 Desertion 07 09 35 The Cave 07 11 35 Reunited 07 12 35 Another Encounter 07 15 35 Rescued 07 16 35 The Power Of Chandu 07 17 35 The Awakening 07 18 35 Wilson s Mission 07 23 35 The Palace Of The Secret Star 07 30 35 A Mental Picture 07 31 35 Rescued Again 08 01 35 The Devious Plot 08 02 35 Beware Of Vitrius 08 05 35 Marshall Is Captured 08 06 35 A Message In Code 08 07 35 Clash Of The Wizards 08 08 35 Chandu Victorious 09 13 35 Ruby Mine In BurmaRevival episodes Edit06 28 48 1 Chandler Returns 06 29 48 2 Secret Papers Missing 06 30 48 3 Is Regent Alive 07 01 48 4 In Alexandria 07 02 48 5 Dorothy Disappears 07 05 48 6 Search For Dorothy 07 06 48 7 Slave Auction Rescue 07 07 48 8 To Cairo 07 08 48 9 Blue Flame 07 09 48 10 Secret Place 07 12 48 11 Note From Nadji 07 13 48 12 Betty Meets Abdullah 07 14 48 13 Chandu Meets Nadji 07 15 48 14 Betty Is Kidnapped 07 19 48 15 Betty Is Found 07 20 48 16 Roxor Meets Nadji 07 21 48 17 Secret Entrance 07 22 48 18 Spell On Dorothy 07 23 48 19 Crystal Ball 07 26 48 20 Breaking The Spell 07 27 48 21 Betty amp Bob Disappear 07 28 48 22 Secret Door 07 29 48 23 Roxor Threatens Death 07 30 48 24 Bob Rescued 08 02 48 25 Abdullah Disappears 08 03 48 26 Emerald Casket 08 04 48 27 Disappearing Ink 08 05 48 28 Looking For Casket 08 06 48 29 Sick Camel 08 09 48 30 Trouble With Guides 08 10 48 31 Low Water Supply 08 11 48 32 Abdullah s Affections 08 12 48 33 Gordon Douglas 08 13 48 34 Douglas Dinner 08 16 48 35 Douglas Is An Imposter 08 17 48 36 Finding A Letter 08 18 48 37 Nile Cruise 08 19 48 38 Chandu s Disguise 08 20 48 39 Manuscript Found 08 23 48 40 Douglas Tells Roxor 08 24 48 41 Letter Arrives 08 25 48 42 Roxor s Plans 08 26 48 43 Fraud s Identity 08 27 48 44 Abdullah Stabbed 08 30 48 45 Inquest Planned 08 31 48 46 Douglas Disappears 09 01 48 47 Lost In The Catacombs 09 02 48 48 Chandu s Rescue 09 03 48 49 Roxor Is Alive 09 06 48 50 Chandu Escapes 09 07 48 51 Reaching The Ruins 09 08 48 52 Judy Allen 09 09 48 53 Torture Chamber 09 10 48 54 Story Teller 09 13 48 55 Cairo Restaurant 09 14 48 56 Robert s Ring 09 15 48 57 Arenia The Spider 09 16 48 58 Curse On Betty 09 17 48 59 Ben Ali s House 09 20 48 60 Opening The Letter 09 21 48 61 Sonya Shoots Nadji 09 22 48 62 Betty amp Bob Run 09 23 48 63 Arenia Is Shot 09 24 48 64 Message For Nadji 09 27 48 65 Mirror Of Life 09 28 48 66 Roxor Is Killed 09 29 48 67 Exploring The Garden 09 30 48 68 Family Is Reunited 10 01 48 69 Explosion 10 04 48 70 Contacts Dorothy 10 05 48 71 Gardener Recognized 10 06 48 72 Bribery Attempt 10 07 48 73 Secret Meeting 10 08 48 74 Landmark Spotted 10 11 48 75 Map Found 10 12 48 76 Fortune Told 10 13 48 77 Dancing Partner Recognized 10 14 48 78 Meets Dimitri 10 15 48 79 Spell Cast On Bob 10 18 48 80 Gypsy Coming After Betty amp Bob 10 19 48 81 Dimitri Asked To Leave 10 20 48 82 Castle Plans Found 10 21 48 83 Warning From Nadji 10 22 48 84 Advice For Nicholas 10 25 48 85 Tells About Plans 10 26 48 86 Spell Cast 10 27 48 87 Nadji Told Of Curse 10 28 48 88 Looking For Dorothy 10 29 48 89 Finding Dorothy s Hat 11 01 48 90 Nicholas Has Disappeared 11 02 48 91 Trying To Escape 11 03 48 92 Thinks Nicholas Is In The Castle 11 04 48 93 Nicholas Found 11 05 48 94 Dwarf Spotted 11 08 48 95 Chandler Admits Real Mission 11 09 48 96 To Go To Schmitar Mountain 11 10 48 97 Call From Paris 11 11 48 98 Threat From Dimitri 11 12 48 99 Stranger Spotted 11 15 48 100 Fortune Told 11 16 48 101 Chandler Trapped 11 17 48 102 Enters Cave 11 18 48 103 Learns Estaben s Identity 11 19 48 104 Influences Dimitri 11 22 48 105 Metso s Killed 11 23 48 106 Spell Broken 11 24 48 107 Threat From Dwarf 11 25 48 108 Nadji Arrives 11 26 48 109 Fire 11 29 48 110 Chandler Escapes Fire 11 30 48 111 Forged Letter 12 01 48 112 Nadji Leaves 12 02 48 113 Lupu Arrives 12 03 48 114 Chandler Discovered 12 06 48 115 Reveals Himself As Chandu Dropout 12 07 48 116 Kingdom Regained 12 08 48 117 Phone Call From Robert 12 09 48 118 Lab Emptied 12 10 48 119 Gomez Spotted 12 13 48 120 Robert Seen In Crystal 12 14 48 121 Learns Roxor s Location 12 15 48 122 Wants To Enter Village Of The Lost 12 16 48 123 Jeff Worried 12 17 48 124 Warned About Jeff 12 20 48 125 Jeff s New Mission 12 21 48 126 House In The Desert 12 22 48 127 Saved From Spider 12 23 48 128 Jeff Found 12 24 48 129 Tries To Contact Robert 12 27 48 130 Imposter Found Out 12 28 48 131 Robert Found 12 29 48 132 Story Told 12 30 48 133 Looking For Betty 12 31 48 134 Dorothy In Temple 01 03 49 135 Talks To Chief 01 04 49 136 Fate To Be Decided Soon 01 05 49 137 Fails Cobra Test 01 06 49 138 Refuses Escape Plan 01 07 49 139 Robert Returns 01 10 49 140 Truth About Dr Shaw 01 11 49 141 Help From Yogi 01 12 49 142 Murderer Revealed 01 13 49 143 Dorothy Safe 01 14 49 144 Planning Tiger Hunt 01 17 49 145 Tiger Killed 01 18 49 146 Saves Lao Sing Faulty 01 19 49 147 In Calcutta 01 20 49 148 Dinner Invitation 01 21 49 149 Dr Shaw In Calcutta 01 24 49 150 Under Dr Shaw s Influence 01 25 49 151 Impersonates Chandler 01 26 49 152 Bob Missing 01 27 49 153 Strange Markings 01 28 49 154 Frank Returns To India 02 03 49 1 The Black Steps 02 10 49 2 The Village Of Thieves 02 17 49 3 Man With The Photographic Memory 02 24 49 4 The Brotherhood Of The Blood Oath 03 03 49 5 The Spell Of Dimitri 03 10 49 6 Framed For Drug Smuggling 03 17 49 7 The Temple At Karnak 03 24 49 8 Temple Under The Sea 03 31 49 9 The House Of Fear 04 14 49 11 The Voice Of Darkness 04 21 49 12 The Ominous Sahara 04 28 49 13 The Fog On The Forgotten Valley 07 26 50 Rocket Sabotage 08 02 50 Clever Jeff Adams 08 09 50 Henry the Dress Designer 08 16 50 Black Market Hi JackersReferences Edit a b c d e f g h i Dunning John 1998 On the Air The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio Revised ed New York Oxford University Press pp 148 149 ISBN 978 0195076783 Retrieved 2019 11 09 Chandu the Magician juvenile adventure Raymond R Morgan and Harry A Earnshaw Margaret MacDonald a b Rovin Jeff 1987 The Encyclopedia of Supervillains New York Facts on File pp 19 20 ISBN 081601356X Daniels Les 1991 Marvel Five Fabulous Decades of the World s Greatest Comics New York Harry N Abrams p 114 ISBN 978 0810938212 Inspired by the Mutual Network radio show Chandu the Magician which Stan Lee had enjoyed during his childhood Dr Strange was in fact a more impressive character than Chandu Winchell Walter 1932 03 01 On Broadway Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express p 9 Retrieved 2019 11 22 Chandu Magician Series Is Revived and Recorded PDF Broadcasting April 1 1935 Retrieved 19 October 2014 Looking Back Fairbanks Daily News Miner February 26 1934 External links EditZoot Radio free old time radio show downloads of Chandu the Magician Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chandu the Magician amp oldid 1115247180, 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