Basically this is the female version of Fu-Manchu. This came in 1967 when the 5 Fu-Manchu movies with Christopher Lee were in the middle of their cycle of films from 1965-1969. I'm sure that had something to do with this being made.
share"Basically this is the female version of Fu-Manchu."
pretty accurate. both the Fu Manchu and the Sumuru stories were written by Sax Rohmer. the Sumuru stories are as follows
Nude in Mink/The Sin of Sumuru 1950
Sumuru/Slaves of Sumuru 1951
The Fire Goddess/Virgin in Flames 1952
Return of Sumuru/Sand and Satin 1954
Sinister Madonna 1956
the first title is the U.S. title. the second the U.K. title
Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)
Kino Lorber is releasing a lot of the AIP catalog on Blu-Ray this year. This, in many places in the US was the second feature to ''House Of 1000 Dolls'', also produced by Harry Alan Towers. They are releasing 'House'' this July. (New HD master) Hopefully, this one's on the way, too.
shareI think there is a connection. Shirley Eaton, who plays Su-Muru in this, turns up as Black Widow in 'The Blood Of Fu Manchu.' Then the director of 'Blood' cast her as her as the Su-Muru character in 'The Girls From Rio.' It makes a change to see the usually blonde Shirley Easton with black hair as Su-Muru.
share