The King!

 

(Wikipedia)

KING OF THE WILD-1931-In this serial an American Robert Grant (Walter Miller) bears a striking resemblance to the rajah of Japour (also Miller) in India. While out hunting tigers the king is mauled. His dying request is that Grant impersonate him until his brother arrives to take over. If not the throne will fall into the hands of the evil prince Dakka (Mischa Auer). The rajah writes a letter explaining the whole charade but dishonest Hunter Harris (Tom Stanschi) gets a hold of it and uses it to frame Grant for the rajah's murder. A year later Grant disguised as a Arab is tracking Harris hoping to get the letter back. Harris is in league with Mustapha (Boris Karloff) trying to steal some diamonds.

 Intrigue, murder, double crossing, an old lady, a politically incorrect African tribe, even a man ape locked in Harris's hotel room are all mixed into this pre-code Hollywood serial that would be totally forgotten today if not for an early pre-Frankenstein role by Karloff. 

Director Richard Thorpe had a long career that started in the late '20's. A year before this serial he made THE UTAH KID which also featured Stanschi and Karloff (Thrope also made the serial KING OF THE KONGO in 1929 that featured Karloff). He later made several Tarzan films and in the 1950's made IVANHOE and JAILHOUSE ROCK.

Thanks for reading!