Old-Time Radio Reimagined

The Shadow of Fu Manchu

40 episodes · 1939 · Syndicated · Adventure

Illustration: a transcription disc label made for Radio Days, not an original disc

Play The Shadow of Fu Manchu on Radio Days

The Shadow of Fu Manchu was a syndicated 1939 serial, three chapters a week, that dramatized Sax Rohmer's first nine novels. Sir Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie hunt the criminal mastermind Rohmer introduced in a 1912 story. Hanley Stafford played Smith and Gale Gordon played Petrie. The character has long been criticized as a racist stereotype, and the Chinese Embassy in Washington protested his 1932 film; listeners will hear those attitudes here.

Sources: Fu Manchu, Wikipedia

Episodes

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1939

Chapter 1: The Insidious Dr. Fu May 8, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Dr. Fu Manchu vows to defeat Sir Nayland Smith, beginning with the murder of Sir Crighton Davey. Dr. Petrie is drawn into the case. Adapted from Sax Rohmer's novel.
Chapter 2: Zayat Kiss May 10, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Dr. Petrie receives a warning from a beautiful woman after the Zayat Kiss.
Chapter 3: Zayat Kiss May 12, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Dr. Petrie comes face to face with Dr. Fu Manchu.
Chapter 4 May 15, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
A visit to an opium den ends with Dr. Fu seemingly putting an end to Dr. Petrie.
Chapter 5 May 17, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
A visit to Parson Dan brings a scream blamed on the Seven.
Chapter 6 May 19, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
A visitor arrives at Rev. Eltham's fortress, Redmoat, for a sinister purpose. Gale Gordon plays Dr. Petrie.
Chapter 7 May 22, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
It turns out Fu Manchu has been inside the fortress all along, and Sir Lionel is reported murdered.
Chapter 8: Green Mist May 24, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Sir Lionel proves to be alive, and a note arrives from Dr. Fu.
Chapter 9: Green Mist May 26, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
A green mist and an African spear figure in the mystery.
Chapter 10: Call of Siva May 29, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Sir Nayland and Petrie are held prisoner in the house of Fu Manchu.
Chapter 11: Call of Siva May 31, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Sir Nayland faces the curse of Siva.
Chapter 12: Karamaneh June 2, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Fu Manchu escapes and a dacoit strikes.
Chapter 13: Karamaneh June 5, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
The action moves to a houseboat on the Thames.
Chapter 14: Andaman Second June 7, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Plans for a new aerial torpedo are stolen.
Chapter 15: Andaman Second June 9, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Sir Nayland and Petrie score a small victory over Dr. Fu Manchu.
Chapter 16: Golden Flask June 12, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Lord Southerly dies without any clue from Fu Manchu, and Dr. Petrie goes calling.
Chapter 17: Golden Flask June 14, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Fu Manchu appears to bring the dead back to life.
Chapter 18: Spores of Death June 16, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
The story takes place inside the house of Fu Manchu.
Chapter 19: Spores of Death June 19, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
The heroes find a ghastly fungus-filled cellar.
Chapter 20 June 21, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
A battle breaks out on the river.
Chapter 21 June 23, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Inspector Weymouth goes mad, and the Lord of the Fire appears.
Chapter 22 June 26, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
The heroes are warned to watch out for the Si-Fan.
Chapter 23 June 28, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Chapter 24: Si Fan Move June 30, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Nayland Smith has vanished, and the Si-Fan is suspected.
Chapter 25 July 5, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
An opium den is raided and Nayland Smith is rescued.
Chapter 26 July 7, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
A trap is laid around Dr. Fu's sealed chest.
Chapter 27 July 10, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
The story of the Three Golden Pomegranates continues.
Chapter 28 July 12, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Nayland Smith returns with a clue and the trail warms up.
Chapter 29: Under the Elms July 14, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
The Si-Fan strikes with the Blue Light.
Chapter 30: Enter Lt Slade July 17, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
Chapter 31: Climber July 19, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Chapter 32: White Peacock July 21, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
Fu Manchu leaves behind a clue.
Chapter 33 July 24, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
A strange white peacock and a thing that coughs figure in the mystery.
Chapter 34 July 26, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
The thing that coughs strikes again, bringing disgrace to Dr. Fu.
Chapter 35: Questing Hands July 28, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
The thing that coughs strikes again, this time with four-foot-long arms.
Chapter 36: Silver Buddha July 31, 1939 · Syndicated · 14 min
The thing that coughs in the night strikes again.
Chapter 37: Bells August 2, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
The heroes escape from Fu's house by sliding across on a wire.
Chapter 38: Six Gates August 4, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
The Fiery Hand is the center of this chapter.
Chapter 39: Purple Shadow August 7, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min
A new adventure opens with discoveries in the Tomb of the Black Ape near Cairo. Dr. Lionel Barton dies and his body disappears, and Fu Manchu's daughter may have turned traitor.
Chapter 40: Joy Shop September 3, 1939 · Syndicated · 15 min