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Description
The Mask of Fu Manchu is a Pre-Code MGM/Cosmopolitan film released in 1932, featuring Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu and Myrna Loy as his daughter: Fah Lo See as the sadistic villains. Both in 'yellow face'. This was the first film in which audiences got hear Karloff's voice and his trademarked lisp. Many people thought it was affected as part of the Fu Manchu character.

During its initial release, The Mask of Fu Manchu was criticized by the Chinese government, and the Chinese embassy in Washington launched a formal complaint against the film for its hostile depiction of the Chinese. The speech where Fu Manchu tells his followers to 'Then conquer and breed... kill the white man... and take his women!' was singled out for strong criticism.

Some other critics also objected to the film's depictions of violence and sexuality. The film's re-release in 1972 was met with protest from the Japanese American Citizens League, who stated that "the movie was offensive and demeaning to Asian-Americans." Because of the criticism of the film's racism, the 1992 VHS release of the film removed several scenes containing the most criticized lines of dialogue, such as the "Kill the white man" speech.

Today it's an interesting piece of Hollywood history. The latest release of this movie by TCM has fully restored the film to its original version.

Description
The Mask of Fu Manchu is a Pre-Code MGM/Cosmopolitan film released in 1932, featuring Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu and Myrna Loy as his daughter: Fah Lo See as the sadistic villains. Both in 'yellow face'. This was the first film in which audiences got hear Karloff's voice and his trademarked lisp. Many people thought it was affected as part of the Fu Manchu character.

During its initial release, The Mask of Fu Manchu was criticized by the Chinese government, and the Chinese embassy in Washington launched a formal complaint against the film for its hostile depiction of the Chinese. The speech where Fu Manchu tells his followers to 'Then conquer and breed... kill the white man... and take his women!' was singled out for strong criticism.

Some other critics also objected to the film's depictions of violence and sexuality. The film's re-release in 1972 was met with protest from the Japanese American Citizens League, who stated that "the movie was offensive and demeaning to Asian-Americans." Because of the criticism of the film's racism, the 1992 VHS release of the film removed several scenes containing the most criticized lines of dialogue, such as the "Kill the white man" speech.

Today it's an interesting piece of Hollywood history. The latest release of this movie by TCM has fully restored the film to its original version.