Charlie Chan at the Race Track

Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) and son Lee Chan (Keye Luke) become involved "At the Race Track," from 1936.

When a friend of Charlie's is murdered by his race horse on board ship, Charlie is asked to investigate when the ocean liner stops in Honolulu. Looking at the horse's stall, Charlie doubts the horse had anything to do with it -- this was a human's doing.

His investigation continues, and Charlie and Lee board ship and travel to Santa Anita raceway to continue their investigation. He soon discovers fraud and a nefarious gambling ring, and he has to ferret out a murderer.

This is a very lively and fun Charlie Chan, with Lee posing as an attendant on the ship to find the typewriter on which threatening notes were typed; and later, at a crucial point, he drives a Chinese laundry truck. Charlie, meanwhile, is shot in the leg and laid up for part of the film.

Some excellent racing footage and beautiful horses are also shown.

It's not perfect. A horse falls, and I absolutely hate seeing that. They would trip them with chicken wire, and it was quite cruel. The second and more egregious thing, particularly by today's standards but I think it might have been embarrassing even then, was the role of the black stable boy, done as a Stepinfetchit type character. Cringe-worthy.

Frankly, I liked it much better when Mantan Moreland came on as Birmingham. First of all, he was hilarious, and secondly, he was treated as an equal. Yes, he had some scenes where he was supposedly afraid of his shadow, but it was better than what is in this film.

Oland is a warmer Chan than Sidney Toler, though both brought a great deal to the role. There is something a little less intimidating about Oland.

"Charlie Chan at the Race Track" is very enjoyable, somewhat reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes story "Silver Blaze" -- so that's probably why the story is so good.

This film begins with Chan in Honolulu giving a forensics lecture to policemen. However, Lee Chan (Charlie's "Number One Son") interrupts to announce that "the big race is about to begin and I've got a hot tip"--at which point all the cops turn on the radio and begin cheering. Oddly, the race is being held in Australia and I find it hard to believe the people in Hawaii would care THAT much! Later, when the horse is on its way to the West Coast of the US, the ship with the horse is met by Charlie Chan since the man who raised the horse has been killed and he was a friend of Chan. Although it appears that he was kicked to death by his prize horse, Charlie quickly deduces that it was murder! It seems that a gambling syndicate is heavily involved in murder and mayhem in an attempt to make a huge haul at an upcoming race and it's up to Charlie to unravel it all and make sure the guilty pay.

Compared to other Chan films, this one has a much better plot, though the plot has been used, in part, before. While complex, the plot is quite thrilling and does a lot to help the film. Additionally, the best of the Chan sidekicks, Number One Son ('Lee') is on hand to provide some comic relief and occasional assistance.

Excellent acting, pacing and plot--this one is a triple crown winner of a B-movie.

Thank you to RETRO TV for re-running the CHARLIE CHAN films with Warner Oland, the very best of the lot, and after many years in retirement. They deserve to be seen, especially for mystery buffs, young and old.

The perfect storm. It has it all; an exceptional plot, entertaining characters and Charlie's wise old sayings, best known as "Chan-O-Grams," to carefully weave the story together. Credit the famous team at Fox, Robert Ellis (a former silent film actor and director), and his wife, Helen Logan, for writing the bulk of these priceless whodunits.

The story starts on a ship, leaving Honolulu, on its way to California, with prize race horses set to compete in the famous Santa Juanita challenge. One of the horse's owners is killed (believed to have been kicked to death in the stall), setting off the mystery. A crafty ring of gamblers is behind the homicide, also pulling a clever switch with the horses. It's fun to see Charlie size up each of the suspects, and not to give too much away, but watch him closely as he seizes every move, every slight mannerism, which is fascinating.

Viewing this film a second time, actually fills in some holes. The dialogue, especially Charlie's wry exchanges with suspects, is priceless.

Keye Luke returns, always fun as Number One Son, actually helpful at times to Charlie, as you will see. Rounding out the cast are some fine actors; Alan Dinehart as Chester, Thomas "Tommy" Beck (as Bruce), Helen Wood (Alice), Gavin Muir and Jonathan Hale, playing Fenton. Hale would appear in three of the Chan films. Young Frankie Darro plays "Tip" Collins, a role he would become famous for (but really didn't play that many times), the jockey caught up in the deadly scheme.

Exceptionally directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, referred to as the father of the series, who also played a large part in keeping Warner Oland into character. Notes indicate he actually encouraged Oland to drink, who was in fact an alcoholic, to relax him --which apparently worked! It was often said Oland's very best performances were due to Humberstone, known as "Lucky." On the other side of the story, Oland subsequently fell asleep a lot, so to keep him alert, Bruce surrounded him with noisey extras!

Beautifully filmed at Santa Anita Race Track in Aecadia, CA. A historical note by itself.

Dedicated to all us ultimate mystery fans. Super dvd box set by Fox, also featuring "Charlie Chan at the Circus," "... at the Opera," and "... at the Olympics." Released 2006, rich with background material, remastered comparisons and interviews. Again, thanks to RETRO TV and their Friday afternoon mystery series.

This is one of my favorites of the Chan series! Keye Luke as Lee Chan gave his funniest performance, in my opinion. His blabbering in Chinese when being led out of Charlie's stateroom; his antics while the fireworks are going off; notice how hard he hits one of the bad guys over the head with the bottle prop - really whacks him! Although I didn't care for the way the "Streamline" character was treated by some of the other cast members, this entry is entertaining! One of Charlie's great quotes - "Frequent spanking when young make rear view very familiar!"

Like a breath of fresh air, director H. Bruce Humberstone breathes new life into the Warner Oland Chan series. A good murder mystery, and one that the viewer might actually solve if s/he is very observant, we are treated to Chan and No. 1 son Lee crossing swords with a gambling syndicate and ultimately unmasking their leader. `No man is poor who have worthy son.' We know that a horse has been manipulated and abused by its trainer Bagley but we still do not know who is the brains and money behind it all even after the gang is arrested. Chan outsmarts and outwits the leader who is tricked into revelation. Although this final exposure is initially unseen by the audience, there is a major clue played out earlier that should lead the viewer to suspect the right person – if you are watching. And of course there are many misleading clues: `Roots of tree lead in many directions.' Chan and son escape assault and kidnapping and Lee again gets to demonstrate his ability at disguise – this time as a Chinese laundry man. Lee gets to drive the laundry truck much as we have seen in earlier Mack Sennett comedies. Like in many Chan movies, portrayal of black stable boy with monkey must have been more acceptable to audiences of the time but today should simply be cut. Similarly Chan says at end: `Good wife best household furniture' brought a remark from my wife. Perhaps that too should be cut for today's audience. Minor note is that the director appears as one of the gang. Much better than most of this series. Recommended.