csteidler

Charlie Chan arrives in Shanghai to investigate a smuggling ring. His local contact is murdered before he gets a chance to talk with him. Suspects include the mysterious leader of the smuggling gang, a G-man who arrives to join the investigation, and the police commissioner himself. There's also of course the handsome young American in love with the attractive niece of the victim.

Luckily, Keye Luke is on hand as Lee Chan, who both assists in solving the case and livens up the plot with a bit of humor. Luke ties up the hotel room phone talking to a girlfriend, ventures out disguised as a beggar, throws a few punches when he and his pop need to escape from kidnappers - things are always lively when number one son is on the screen.

Warner Oland is excellent as usual as the soft-spoken but keen-witted Mr. Chan. Russell Hicks and Halliwell Hobbes are right at home as authorities who behave a bit suspiciously. Jon Hall and Irene Hervey are predictable but do just fine as the young couple.

Overall, an entertaining mix of deduction and action that includes some laughs.

Guy Kibbee plays Herbert, self-made man. Opinionated and irascible, Herbert delights in telling the story of how he went to went to work when he was 10 years old and worked his way up to owning the factory. Aline MacMahon is Herbert's loyal (but suffering) wife. She loves him patiently but wishes he would take down the unpleasant portrait of his scowling father and put away the family heirloom cuspidor.

The trouble starts when grownup daughter Patricia Ellis brings home handsome young lawyer Phillip Reed, whom she plans to marry. A family dinner is planned to welcome Reed and his parents - all before Kibbee has even heard about the engagement. Naturally Kibbee doesn't like lawyers, as he doesn't believe in college at all. He makes a scene, insults the guests, everyone is embarrassed.... and MacMahon decides to teach him a lesson.

Kibbee's antics and rantings are fun to watch even though his character is kind of a pain. MacMahon is excellent - an hour long B movie doesn't offer much room for character development but MacMahon really succeeds in portraying a loving spouse who can put up with a lot but be pushed only so far.

A simple, straightforward story that keeps the subplots and side characters to a minimum: Very enjoyable even though there's really not much to it.

William Powell is a talented young lawyer who practices on the working class side of town, serving poor but appreciative clients. When he wins a noteworthy case, Powell is invited to join a high class firm and moves to the rich side of the city. Loyal assistant Joan Blondell does not approve of the move but accompanies him to his ritzy new digs.

While Powell is a sharp lawyer, he is not very bright about women. He quickly gets on the wrong side of rich crook David Landau, who sets him up for a scandal using attractive Claire Dodd, who pretty effortlessly gets him charged with blackmail and ruins his reputation.

Rather suddenly, Powell comes to his senses and decides to get tough. He joins up with the syndicate running the city, gets himself appointed assistant district attorney, and sets out to take down the crooks who used him. It's all kind of vague - lots of court cases but few details.

William Powell is entertaining as always, although his character's transformation midway through the picture isn't particularly believable. Joan Blondell is fine as the steadfast and true friend who scolds him when he's foolish and tells him "I told you so" when he comes to his senses. Other than that, Blondell (unfortunately) doesn't have much to do except stand by and watch.

Very watchable but feels like it should have been better.