''Chandu the Magician'' is an American supernatural

radio drama Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine ...

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. 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. Chandu was Steve Ditko's and Stan Lee's inspiration for the more famous

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...

character Doctor Strange.

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 The Don Lee Network, sometimes called the Don Lee Broadcasting System was an American regional network of radio stations in the old-time radio era. Origin Don Lee made a fortune as the exclusive West Coast distributor of Cadillac automobiles. He ...

. It was then heard, starting in February 1932, over WOR in the East. Nationally, it aired over the

Mutual Network The Mutual Broadcasting System (commonly referred to simply as Mutual; sometimes referred to as MBS, Mutual Radio or the Mutual Radio Network) was an American commercial radio network in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. rad ...

beginning on October 8, 1932. The series was sponsored by White King Soap in the West and by Beech Nut Gum in the East. Gayne Whitman played the lead role of American-born Frank Chandler, who had learned occult secrets from a yogi in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. Known as Chandu, he possessed several supernatural skills, including astral projection,

teleportation Teleportation is the hypothetical transfer of matter or energy from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them. It is a common subject in science fiction literature and in other popular culture. Teleportation is oft ...

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". His sister, Dorothy Regent, was portrayed by Margaret MacDonald. 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. According to Veola Vonn, the program was broadcast from the KHJ building on Melrose Avenue; the KHJ building is still standing, although the KHJ studios are no longer in use. In 1932,

Walter Winchell Walter Winchell (April 7, 1897 – February 20, 1972) was a syndicated American newspaper gossip columnist and radio news commentator. Originally a vaudeville performer, Winchell began his newspaper career as a Broadway reporter, critic and co ...

noted: "One of the smaller radio chains has a feature called ''Chandu'', which is Hindu-Chinese for an opium preparation. In fewer wordsdope". 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 Olan Evart Soule (February 28, 1909 – February 1, 1994) was an American actor, who had professional credits in nearly 7,000 radio shows and commercials, appearances in 200 television series and television films, and in over 60 films. Soul ...

and Audrey McGrath. When this series came to an end in 1936, WGN's productions of ''Chandu'' were transcribed in the Chicago facilities of the

World Broadcasting System World Broadcasting System, Inc., was an American recording service for the radio industry founded in 1929 by Percy L. Deutsch (1885–1968), with key investors and creative artists (Walter) Gustave Haenschen and Milton Diamond (both of whom had wor ...

for use on other stations. In April 1935, they were being broadcast on one other station, WJR in Detroit, Mich.

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 Luis d'Antin van Rooten (November 29, 1906 – June 17, 1973) was a Mexican-born American actor. He was sometimes credited as Louis Van Rooten. Van Rooten was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and emigrated to the United States with his parents when ...

as the villainous Roxor, plotting world domination. With

Howard Culver Howard Culver (June 4, 1918 – August 4, 1984) was an American radio and television actor, best known as hotel clerk Howie Uzzell during the entire run of TV's ''Gunsmoke''. On radio he starred in the title role of the Western adventure series '' ...

as the announcer and music by organist Korla Pandit, that series continued until January 28, 1949. 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. Culver often read commercials with Pandit's organ music in the background. 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.

Film adaptation

In 1932, '' Chandu the Magician'' was adapted into a film starring

Edmund Lowe Edmund Dantes Lowe (March 3, 1890 – April 21, 1971) was an American actor. His formative experience began in vaudeville and silent film. Biography Lowe was born in San Jose, California. His father was a local judge. His childhood home was a ...

as the eponymous character, with

Bela Lugosi Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), known professionally as Bela Lugosi (; ), was a Hungarian and American actor best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 horror classic ''Dracula'', Ygor in ''S ...

as Roxor and

Irene Ware Irene Ware (born Irene Catherine Ahlberg; November 6, 1910 – March 11, 1993) was an American actress. She was a beauty queen and showgirl before appearing in 29 films between 1932 and 1940, and is mostly remembered for her roles as Princess Na ...

as Nadji. 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:

Original series episodes

* 03/17/32 #9 Transferred To Egypt * 03/23/32 #13 The Slave Auction * 04/12/32 #27 Important Papers Missing * 04/13/32 #28 Betty & 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 & 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 & Bob * 11/28/32 #191 Dr. Shaw & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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 & Betty Found * 12/31/34 ## Dr Shaw & 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 Burma

Revival episodes

* 06/28/48 # 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 & 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 & 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 & 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-Jackers

References

{{reflist

External links

Zoot Radio, free old time radio show downloads of ''Chandu the Magician''
American radio dramas Astral projection in popular culture Fantasy radio programs Mutual Broadcasting System programs 1930s American radio programs 1931 radio programme debuts 1950 radio programme endings ABC radio programs 1940s American radio programs 1950s American radio programs