Drums of Fu Manchu (1940) is a 15-chapter Republic movie serial based on the character created by Sax Rohmer. Though using the title of the ninth novel in the series, it actually is based on numerous elements from throughout the series to that point, cherry-picked by the writers. It starred Henry Brandon, William Royle and Robert Kellard. It was directed by the legendary serial team of William Witney and John English and is often considered one of the best movie serials ever made.

Plot
Fu Manchu attempts to conquer the world by acquiring the sceptre of Genghis Khan, which will unite the people of Asia under his rule. Allan Parker allies himself with the traditional British literary nemeses of Fu Manchu, Sir Denis Nayland Smith and his associate, Dr. Flinders Petrie after his father is kidnapped and killed by Fu Manchu’s dacoits.

Cast
Henry Brandon as Fu Manchu
William Royle as Sir Denis Nayland Smith
Robert Kellard as Allan Parker
Gloria Franklin as Fah Lo Suee
Olaf Hytten as Dr. Flinders Petrie
Tom Chatterton as Professor Edward Randolph
Luana Walters as Mary Randolph
John Merton as Loki
Dwight Frye as Professor Anderson
Lal Chand Mehra as Sirdar Prahni