A little more than one hundred Years Ago Houdini made his first movie, the 15-part serial The Master Mystery. It was a hit and Harry's film career was launched. That same year saw the publication of Sax Rohmer's first novel, The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu.
We've written at length about the connection between Harry and Sax, who became great friends. Houdini's film career fizzled eventually, but Rohmer's - or rather Fu Manchu's - took off like one of the evil doctor's trained killer falcons.
It was 70 years ago that Rohmer got credit for the best film serial of all time, which was also then the most expensive movie ever made: Drums of Fu Manchu. It really is entertaining, even today. Here are the first two episodes, for your air-conditioned summer enjoyment:
