Considered lesser work than earlier 20th Century Fox films in the series, this second Charlie Chan outing under low-budget Monogram Pictures is still enjoyable for Sidney Toler fans. The adage-spouting detective exercises his usual charm and brilliant deductive ability, this time with Number Three Son, Tommy (Benson Fong), in tow. Father, son and their reluctant driver Birmingham Brown (Mantan Moreland) stumble over corpses as they follow the trail of diamond smugglers and Chan solves a locked-room murder that baffled police for months. Chan rounds up the bad guys after a chase through a carnival fun house. Just over an hour long and lots more fun than a stale TV sitcom. (65 min.)
Unrated - 1944
Director:
Phil Rosen
Starring:
Sidney Toler
Benson Fong
Mantan Moreland
Joan Woodbury
Weldon Heyburn
Ian Keith
Betty Blythe
John Davidson
Writers:
Earl Derr Biggers (characters)
George Callahan (story)
Recent comments