Mandrake the Magician
Mandrake the Magician

Movie spotlight

Mandrake the Magician

1940
Movie
215 min
English

Feature version of the American serial film, produced for export only, never exhibited in the USA, and believed to be a lost film.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Director: Arthur D. PennGenres: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Serial

Plot Summary

Detective "Lucky" Drake, also known as Mandrake the Magician, uses his hypnotic and sleight-of-hand skills to thwart the criminal organization known as the Cobra. The Cobra seeks to control the world through their nefarious schemes, and Drake must use his wits and unique abilities to uncover their plans and bring them to justice. Each chapter presents a new challenge and a cliffhanger, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Critical Reception

As a 1940s movie serial, 'Mandrake the Magician' was produced for mass entertainment rather than critical acclaim. It was well-received by audiences of the time, who flocked to theaters for the weekly installments. Critical reviews from the era are scarce, but the serial is generally remembered as a typical, exciting example of its genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Entertaining serial with a classic pulp adventure feel.

  • Mandrake's magical abilities are showcased effectively within the serial format.

  • A fun, albeit formulaic, adventure for fans of the genre.

Google audience: Audience reception from the 1940s was largely positive, with viewers enjoying the weekly cliffhangers and the charismatic performance of Warren Hull as Mandrake. Modern viewers appreciate it as a nostalgic piece of cinema history.

Fun Fact

The character of Mandrake the Magician was created by Lee Falk, who also created The Phantom comic strip.

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