tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post3525954470405741567..comments2024-03-23T03:57:15.055-07:00Comments on Caftan Woman: The Pre-Code blogathon: The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932)Caftan Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-74193507562409302102015-04-17T08:59:40.538-07:002015-04-17T08:59:40.538-07:00You speak the truth! "Nuts" is the word...You speak the truth! "Nuts" is the word.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-60189901625669997922015-04-16T19:52:35.885-07:002015-04-16T19:52:35.885-07:00The Mask of Fu Manchu hits that sweet spot between...The Mask of Fu Manchu hits that sweet spot between absolutely horrifying racial caricature and campy insanity. I'm glad you get a kick out of it-- there are few movies that were ever made that are this nuts. :) Dannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257279322223112273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-66728199158177745982015-04-08T06:42:52.403-07:002015-04-08T06:42:52.403-07:00It's a go-to movie for fashion and torment ide...It's a go-to movie for fashion and torment ideas!Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-84320499643109932842015-04-08T06:41:06.496-07:002015-04-08T06:41:06.496-07:00I haven't seen a Fu Manchu movie since I was p...I haven't seen a Fu Manchu movie since I was probably in high school, but BAM! I think your review was more entertaining than the entire series put together. The next time this one comes my way, I'll have to pay more attention.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-24305024649716445062015-04-07T12:19:01.871-07:002015-04-07T12:19:01.871-07:00Thank you so much. We have a good time sharing th...Thank you so much. We have a good time sharing these films with each other.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-70310673262758739502015-04-07T11:25:50.208-07:002015-04-07T11:25:50.208-07:00Pre-Code Myrna = coolest Myrna!
I have to say this...Pre-Code Myrna = coolest Myrna!<br />I have to say this movie just went higher and higher in my watchlist, thanks to you!<br />Thanks for the always kind comments!<br />LeLêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-14311099454700790672015-04-07T06:13:13.094-07:002015-04-07T06:13:13.094-07:00It always seems so strange when movies are edited ...It always seems so strange when movies are edited for language. You see the lips saying one thing and hear another. And some of the decisions by different networks are puzzling. <br /><br />Visually though, the mustache is cool. Rather like Holmes deerstalker - an addition that works.<br /><br />Thanks for your knowledgeable input.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-39138528000424109412015-04-07T04:09:34.398-07:002015-04-07T04:09:34.398-07:00At one point Ted Turner erased the racial epithet...At one point Ted Turner erased the racial epithets from this. Don't remember Rohmer ever really trying to kill Fu in the novels, who persisted til '57 (!). Rohmer's character is so principled in his evil, that in one book he keeps his word, costing him a victory. And no "FU Manchu mustache" in the novels. He's clean shaven.Bill Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041905291496937729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-73864077684675441612015-04-06T12:10:30.954-07:002015-04-06T12:10:30.954-07:00I know I would have left the theatre craving some ...I know I would have left the theatre craving some of those gorgeous silken gowns. That stark stairway leading who knows where (Lewis Stone running to rescue Charles Starrett) is breathtaking. I think the movie, for so many reasons, is an essential pre-code.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-65237382988768522202015-04-06T02:55:53.830-07:002015-04-06T02:55:53.830-07:00Agree with the flaws you highlight, but I'm to...Agree with the flaws you highlight, but I'm totally willing to overlook them as I think this movie is so incredibly well costumed (and do I spy Cedric Gibbons' art direction?!). Adrian really went to town on this one, surely audiences of the day wouldn't have been able to believe their eyes... I wonder if it revived an interest in 'the Orient'?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-28620091376892755132015-04-05T06:47:31.109-07:002015-04-05T06:47:31.109-07:00It is truly a jaw dropping experience and one of t...It is truly a jaw dropping experience and one of those surprising titles to come from MGM. Here's what Leonard Maltin's book had to say: "Elaborate chiller of Chinese madman Karloff menacing expedition searching for tomb of Genghis Khan. Adaptation of Sax Rohmer novel is ornate and hokey, but fun; Loy is terrific as Fu's deliciously evil daughter."Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-36750207884834223902015-04-04T22:47:52.750-07:002015-04-04T22:47:52.750-07:00Excellent review! I cannot believe (and I'm as...Excellent review! I cannot believe (and I'm ashamed to admit) that I have yet to see this film. The costumes, not to mention performances by Boris Karloff and Myrna Loy, should make it a must-see. I agree with you that the racist components make watching any film MUCH tougher but it sounds from your review that its over-the-top ridiculousness plus the pace of the film certainly helps. Bottom line- I gotta see this film! Irish Jayhawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10836268400353447150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-71840032719628230412015-04-04T10:06:16.105-07:002015-04-04T10:06:16.105-07:00My own category! There will be no living with me!...My own category! There will be no living with me!<br /><br />It is everything a film like this should be - never give the audience a chance to think.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-78368420002037807052015-04-04T08:57:54.899-07:002015-04-04T08:57:54.899-07:00You are so right - BAM! One thing you never do in ...You are so right - BAM! One thing you never do in a a film like this is check your watch. Great review of a very "CW" film! (you now have you own category).FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-54409795886671221322015-04-04T06:03:47.985-07:002015-04-04T06:03:47.985-07:00Those are laugh lines, Rich. As I mentioned, the ...Those are laugh lines, Rich. As I mentioned, the fellow was very happy in his work.<br /><br />They certainly didn't stint on the costumes (Adrien) and sets, but "The Mask of Fu Manchu" is not what we expect to come from MGM. Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-27319536066865750972015-04-03T09:48:20.705-07:002015-04-03T09:48:20.705-07:00Well, I'll say this much: they certainly didn&...Well, I'll say this much: they certainly didn't go cheap on the costumes.<br /><br />Are those scars on Fu's face, or just a lotta wrinkles?Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376065182154885503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-29114823731160331262015-04-03T06:04:25.514-07:002015-04-03T06:04:25.514-07:00I don't think this is a movie a lot of people ...I don't think this is a movie a lot of people would actively seek out, but if you happen to come across it half-way through while channel surfing, at least now you'll have some sort of idea just what in the name of all that's holy is going on.<br /><br />This is a fascinating blogathon and I'm enjoying it greatly.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-47366457091289896442015-04-03T06:02:33.836-07:002015-04-03T06:02:33.836-07:00LOL! Caftan Woman's schoolhouse, eh?
The mov...LOL! Caftan Woman's schoolhouse, eh?<br /><br />The movie is all kinds of off the charts crazy and must be seen at least once. Strong point in its favour - it won't take up much of your time.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-48419646491522982392015-04-02T19:40:09.787-07:002015-04-02T19:40:09.787-07:00I can't say that I'll ever watch this movi...I can't say that I'll ever watch this movie, but I sure did enjoy your write up, CW! Your description of the film was a delight to read -- two thumbs up for this great contribution to the blogathon. Thanks so much for participating!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-89933039765122908752015-04-02T17:02:18.406-07:002015-04-02T17:02:18.406-07:00Well, well, well – here's yet another movie yo...Well, well, well – here's yet another movie you've introduced me to. Even though this one sounds like it has flaws, it also sounds fascinating.<br /><br />I always learn something when I come to your blog. :)Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-90897563833428233322015-04-02T07:18:17.354-07:002015-04-02T07:18:17.354-07:00It's one movie where I felt spoilers couldn...It's one movie where I felt spoilers couldn't spoil it. The good guys always win. It is a fun one alright.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-48129721959061933032015-04-02T06:16:43.814-07:002015-04-02T06:16:43.814-07:00Thank you for the great overview. I've owned t...Thank you for the great overview. I've owned this on VHS for years & agree it's a good 'unCheapfeethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06372054447220547069noreply@blogger.com