Charlie Chan on Broadway

Warner Oland, the Swedish-born actor famous for his Asian portrayals and in particular his portrayal of the famous Charlie Chan, gives a fine performance as Chan in this, one of his last screen performances before his untimely death. This time out, Charlie and #1 son, played as affably as ever by Keye Luke, are aboard a ship soon to dock in New York. A woman aboard stows something in #1's luggage and tries getting it later in Chan hotel room. Woman who mess with Charlie like fly that play in spider's web. OK, enough of that. Anyway, you get the usual good stuff you would find in most Chan films: a good mystery(I didn't figure this one out), some nice comedic touches with Chan's sayings and his by-play with his son, solid character acting from the likes of Luke, Donald Woods, Joan Marsh, etc..., and a look back at what New York was like in the late 30's. I enjoyed the film a good deal. It doesn't creak either like some of the earlier Chan films. It has a lively pace throughout.

Another really well done, atmospheric, Warner Oland/20th Century Fox Chan film. Although the film has nothing to do with the theater, as some might expect from the title, it is set amid the exotic night life of Broadway of the late 30's. It begins with Charlie and Lee aboard an ocean liner. Then in New York, the Hottentot Club is the main setting along with the hotel Chan and other notables stay at. This captures the mood of New York in the 30's--at least from a Hollywood perspective. The supporting cast is top notch with J. Edward Bromberg, Harold Huber in his best Chan role, Leon Ames, Marc Lawrence, Donald Woods, Louise Henry and Joan Marsh. The script is very clever. The hunt is on for a missing diary that could blow the lid off the mobs. Loads of fun!

A young woman, Billie, puts a package in a trunk belonging to Charlie Chan. Charlie is with his number one son. He is there to be honored at a luncheon. A woman is killed and it proves to be Billie. While things are being investigated the prime suspect gets out the door. Soon another person is murdered in Charlie's room. There is an incriminating diary involved. As is usually the case, Lee gets in the middle of everything. One thing I've noticed about Keye Luke's voice is so loud. Frequently there is someone outside the door or at a window. He continues to provide comic relief. One of the things about this episode is that there is little if any mention of the Great White Way.

This is better than most of the Charlie Chan. It has number one son, Keye Luke. As usual, it has the right mood, but, it also has a plot that actually almost makes sense. It is possible to solve along with Charlie on this one. Definitely, see if you can figure out who did it along with Charlie.

When a nightclub singer who has listed the secrets of the underworld in her diary is murdered and the diary stolen, our aphoristic Chinese detective swings into action.

Another fun episode with Chan and number one son getting involved with big-shot racketeers, shady ladies and prying newspapermen in Broadway, Olympus. Can be confusing at times, but overall a good entry with a surprising revelation of the killer. Also starring Leon Ames and Harold Huber, who adds enjoyment to the tale when working with Chan and number one son.