FilmWeViews.com » Charlie Chan

The Scarlet Clue

movieMoll — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:55:49 +0000

One of the later entries in the Charlie Chan series, “The Scarlet Clue” isn’t as good as some of the earlier films, but still makes for good late-night viewing, especially for Sidney Toler fans. These later Chan films churned out by Monogram Pictures are as much comedy as mystery, although “The Scarlett Clue” scores on both counts, with some interesting methods of murder and snappy comic dialogue. This movie finds Charlie (Sidney Toler), Number Three son Tommy (Benson Fong) and driver Birmingham Brown (Mantan Moreland) on the trail of murderous traitors trying to steal government radar plans. The prime suspects are radio show actors who work in the same building that houses the top secret research lab! (65 min.)

Unrated - 1945

Director:
Phil Rosen

Starring:
Sidney Toler
Mantan Moreland
Benson Fong
Ben Carter
Virginia Brissac
Robert E. Homans
Janet Shaw
Helen Deverwll

Writers:
Earl Derr Biggers (characters)
George Callahan (story)

The Chinese Cat

movieMoll — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:47:09 +0000

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)

Charlie Chan at the Opera

GroovyMovieGuy — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:47:26 +0000

A classic from the famous “Chinese” detective, “Charlie Chan at the Opera” is one of the best of the series. Boris Karloff’s character is an excellent foil to Chan played by Warner Oland.
If you watch it late at night, you’ll want to stay awake to the end. That won’t take too long. The bad guy is bagged in just over an hour. (68 min.)
The DVD watched has an interesting bonus feature, “Charlie Chan’s Lucky Director: H. Bruce Humberstone.” The feature takes a short look into the director’s life and Hollywood politics.

1937 - Unrated

Starring:
Warner Oland
Boris Karloff
Keye Luke
William Demarest
Guy Usher
Margaret Irving
Gregory Gaye
Nedda Harrigan
Charlotte Henry

Director:
H. Bruce Humberstone

Writers:
Charles Belden
Scott Darling
Bess Meredyth (story

Charlie Chan at the Opera

movieMoll — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:56:27 +0000

The Charlie Chan series is the A-list of B movies and “Charlie Chan at the Opera” is arguably the best of the series. Gravelle (Boris Karloff) escapes from an insane asylum to seek revenge on those who tried to kill him seven years earlier. Newspaper reports of his escape sensitively refer to the mental patient as a madman and a lunatic! The action happens at an Opera House during a performance of “Carnival,” an opera composed specifically for this movie by Oscar Levant. Warner Oland as Chan is in top form and the film is a must-see for Karloff fans. (68 min.)

1937 - Unrated

Starring:
Warner Oland
Boris Karloff
Keye Luke
William Demarest
Guy Usher
Margaret Irving
Gregory Gaye
Nedda Harrigan
Charlotte Henry

Director:
H. Bruce Humberstone

Writers:
Charles Belden
Scott Darling
Bess Meredyth (story)