This film is part of Free
Dr Sin Fang: The Adventure of the Torture Cage
An evil criminal doctor entraps and tortures a greedy trader in this only surviving episode of silent adventure serial Dr Sin Fang.
Action and Adventure 1928 30 mins Silent
Overview
In this only surviving episode of action-adventure serial Dr Sin Fang, Lt John Byrne and Bill Riggers are on the hunt for the criminal doctor, who is hell-bent on locating a lost ‘sacred seal’. A trader hoping to make a quick buck on the seal is lured to Fang’s lair, where he and Riggers are held prisoner in Fang’s torture cage. Only Byrne’s fiancée, Betty Harbray, can save the day.
Dr. Sin Fang borrowed many of the performers (and plot conceits) from the hugely successful Fu-Manchu serials. Producer Fred Paul had played Nayland Smith in The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu and went on to direct The Further Mysteries of Dr. Fu Manchu. Star Harry Agar Lyons brings much of Fu-Manchu to his portrayal of the lesser-known, but equally evil, Sin Fang. This serial was made on a much lower budget than Fu-Manchu and only ran to six parts - this was the fifth.
Subjects
Related
Tales of Old Chinatown
The Woman from China The Woman from China
Crime 1931 76 mins Silent
A young woman is persuaded to help a Chinese businessman to kidnap a naval officer in this fun and outrageous British thriller.
Attack on a Mission Station Attack on a Mission Station
War 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Blackburn
Dramatised account of Chinese rebels' violent confrontation with Christian missionaries, made in the wake of the Boxer Rebellion.
A Bid for Fortune A Bid for Fortune
Drama 1917 84 mins Silent
Master criminal Dr Nikola seeks a Chinese curio that promises eternal life and world domination
Cosmopolitan London Cosmopolitan London
Interest film 1924 10 mins Location: Soho
An extraordinary tour of Soho's French cafés, Clerkenwell's Little Italy and the lesser-trodden streets of Limehouse in the 1920s.
Lieutenant Rose and the Chinese Pirates Lieutenant Rose and the Chinese Pirates
Drama 1910 12 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Lieutenant Rose is kidnapped by Chinese pirates in this action-packed early adventure series.
Lieutenant Lilly and the Sploge of Opium Lieutenant Lilly and the Sploge of Opium
Comedy 1913 11 mins Silent Location: Walton-on-Thames
The intrepid Lt Lilly is called upon to quell a Chinese Boxer rebellion in a spoof adventure serial.
Limehouse
British Paramount News No. 588 British Paramount News No. 588
Non-Fiction 1936 2 mins Silent Location: Victoria Park
Defiance is in the air in this evocative newsreel footage of anti-fascist solidarity rallies, after the Battle of Cable Street
East Sixteen East Sixteen
Documentary 1959 10 mins Location: Limehouse
Stylishly realised portrait of Chinese priest Peter Kao, who offers a Christian welcome to sailors from his homeland.
Grand Union Canal Grand Union Canal
Documentary 1938 11 mins Silent Location: Limehouse
Short film looking at life up and down the Grand Union Canal, including several scenes shot in London canals and docks.
Floating Floating
Comedy 1991 41 mins Location: Limehouse
Deliciously dark psychodrama about a Docklands bus driver who turns his family home into a second Noah's ark.
London River London River
Travelogue 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Tower Br
Follow the Thames from Westminster to Limehouse, Covent Garden to Tower Bridge.
Cosmopolitan London Cosmopolitan London
Interest film 1924 10 mins Location: Soho
An extraordinary tour of Soho's French cafés, Clerkenwell's Little Italy and the lesser-trodden streets of Limehouse in the 1920s.
New
Meow or Never Meow or Never
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2020 10 mins
In a madcap musical, a 'cat'-stronaut travels the galaxy looking for the meaning of life and encounters a space pup eager to help.
#WeAreHere #WeAreHere
Short documentary 2021 4 mins
A South Asian gaze on representation, inequality and discrimination in UK film and TV, set against the backdrop of the casting room.
I Choose I Choose
Drama 2020 11 mins
A young mother takes the biggest risk of her life when she makes a choice.
Vest Vest
Drama 2020 12 mins
A fostered little boy runs away from home to potentially dire consequences.
Vaidya Vaidya
Drama 2021 23 mins
Kabir meets the mysterious Vaidya on the beach while on holiday in Goa, in this short film which premiered at the London Indian Film Festival 2021.
I Told Sunset About You - Episode 1 I Told Sunset About You - Episode 1
Drama 2020 69 mins
After a huge argument and years of silence, two teenage boys living in Phuket meet up again by chance and gradually rebuild their relationship in this highly-acclaimed Thai TV series.