The West Case (1923)

I loved "Fu Manchu" as kid, and though I'm not quite old enough to recall this first time round, it's still a good outing for the criminal mastermind (Harry Agar Lyons) as he despatches his minions to swap the "chloral tabloids" of scientist "Dr. West" (Wingold Lawrence) with hashish so he will be too zonked to notice when the steal some top secret plans for an aero-torpedo from his safe. He remembers little when he summons the help of "Insp Nayland Smith" (Fred Paul) except that he was in the Oriental Club the day before where he met a charming young lady! Now the police must try and piece together just where these plans now are, afore their cunning nemesis manages to smuggle them out of the country, another weapon in his increasing arsenal against a weak and feeble western civilisation. There's plenty going on here - especially at the end of this episode in crime fighting which sees them aboard a not particularly luxury liner and swimming - with their hats on! It's part of a series, so there must be more...?