The Mask of Fu Manchu

The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932)

Timing: 1:8 (68 min)

5.439/10
74

5.442/10
402

6.2/10
4100

• Director Charles Vidor was fired by the studio three days after filming began and replaced by Charles Brabbin.
• As a costume, Boris Karloff (1887-1969) actually wore a traditional Chinese women’s wedding dress.
• Applying makeup to Boris Karloff took Cecil Holland (1887-1973) 2.5 hours before the start of each shooting day.
• During the filming of the scene in which Fu Manchu administers a special drug to the hero played by Charles Starrett (1903-1986), Boris Karloff would jab a needle into a boiled potato lying on the table right next to the actor's head, but in such a way as not to be visible in the camera frame. However, with each take, when the plunger was pressed, the potato would simply be torn to pieces. After a few takes, Starrett simply burst out laughing, and director Charles Brabin (1883-1957) ordered filming to be stopped for the day.
• Boris Karloff appears taller than all other actors in the film because he wears shoes with high heels, which is noticeable in long shots.