Firstly, about the lighting, that's something that has to do with the U.S. print of the movie. If you see the Blue Underground DVD which is mastered from the original European prints, the film;'s lighting is completely competent and is really a surprise coming from seeing the U.S. prints.
Now, as to the setting being in the 1920s? Absolutely not. In the third film "The Vengeance of Fu Manchu", during his meeting with Interpol, Nayland Smith talks about it being the early 30s, maybe 1933 ("The Face of..." and "The Brides of..." having taken place in the 1920s), and this being the fifth movie would have to take place after that. So possibly the late 30s? Mentioning the fezes means nothing really... it's just a mistake pure and simple and the filmmakers used fezes merely to identify the actors as Turkish and not really caring about the historical accuracy.
OR... and I have a theory about this movie, so stick with me. Maybe the film takes place in the late 60s. That Goodyear sign was the first thing that grabbed my attention, as well as several other factors. Look at Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu. Physically, in the other movies, Lee had jet black hair. However, in this one, the edges of his hair has grey streaks in it. Also, Fu is portrayed as almost weak, confused and in a somewhat going-through-the-motions manner. When Professor Heracles recovers and Fu demands to know the formula to make his gadget work, Heracles whines, "No... no.... !" Fu sort of shrugs his shoulders and mutters "Very well..." The Fu Manchu of "The Face of Fu Manchu" would never have just given up like that. However, perhaps an older Fu Manchu in the 1960s would have? It also goes a long way to explain why Tsai Chin is so haggard-looking in this one, having been still beautiful in "The Blood of Fu Manchu" made just months before.
But I am probably just thinking way too much about it. However, it is impossible that this film takes place in the 20s because of "The Vengeance of..." setting it in the 30s. That's why Douglas Wilmer had greying hair in that one.
reply
share