Shadows Over Chinatown

"Confucious say sleep is only escape from yesterday"- one of several good Confucius sayings that Charlie comes up with in this movie. In fact, you might notice a number of things in this movie that are worthwhile. Personally, I first noticed the intriguing title, one of the best mystery titles ever- "Shadows Over Chinatown"- a title loaded with mystery.

The blonde actress who plays "Mary Conover" is very poised and is way above average in the looks department, and she does a commendable acting job. And don't you always love the "venerable old lady" (Charlie's words), the dear Mary Gordon. Look for some of the other supporting actors- there are many- and you will notice John Hamilton, a perennial in grade b and c films, obscure here before being immortalized in the "Superman" series on television. He only has a couple of lines and wears a mustache but is another example of what you can find here. Mantan Morland's comedy bits seem thrown together and rushed, but nevertheless he is entertaining as always.

Sidney Toler manages a strong enough and effective starring performance, but he is not very physically active and would die just months after the film's release. It is interesting to see how he is able to summon the screen presence to still be the star while sitting down through scene after scene.

While suffering from a low budget and possibly shooting schedule difficulties related to Toler's failing health, there is worth in this film if you look for it. Especially if you are a fan of the old black and white mystery movie style.

Sidney toler is charlie chan, and as usual, victor sun yung is his son, with mantan moreland as birmingham, the faithful but easily scared butler. Listen for a similar bit to who's on first about fourteen minutes in. When widows disappear after collecting the insurance payouts, chan and the local coppers try to find suspect(s). Chan's son and butler play large roles in this one... pretty much stealing the show from chan himself. It's okay. Another chapter with sidney toler as chan. In the later chapters, it was roland winters as chan. Directed by terry morse. He directed a bunch of monster and other miscellaneous films in the 1940s and 1950s... godzilla, fog island, jungle hunter.

I really liked this Chan, it kept my interest all the way through. I found the plot complex, not hard to follow. I think that is why I really enjoyed it, there is a lot going on with lots of characters coming and going. Some people on here claimed the plot didn't make sense but let us be fair, a mystery isn't a mystery if you know what is going to happen from one scene to the next. I really have no complaints, this is one I want to watch again very soon. One thing I appreciate about the Chan movies is the fact that the producers tried to give you something a bit different from one film to the next. Sure, they recycle themselves after a while but some Chans really stand out...like this one. I just relax and watch all the events as they occur and let Charlie explain it all at the end! I guess some folks just like predictable films and turn up their noses at anything that doesn't follow the herd.

Charlie Chan takes a bus trip with number two son Jimmy Chan and chauffeur Birmingham Brown. They stop at a bus station where a passenger notices he's been robbed. The station door is slightly ajar and a mysterious hand pokes a revolver through and shoots Charlie Chan. Luckily, the bullet hits his watch and he is uninjured. Could the robbery and shooting be connected?

It doesn't always make perfect sense but there's plenty going on in this lightweight Charlie Chan entry. As the picture starts, Chan is already expressing interest in a gruesome murder case ("Torso Victim Unidentified," says the newspaper headline) and is soon also investigating a phony bus driver, a Marine straggler, and a pickpocket, as well as promising little old lady Mary Gordon to help find her missing granddaughter.

Mantan Moreland is consistently funny as Birmingham Brown, and Victor Sen Yung returns to the series as Jimmy Chan (replacing number three son Benson Fong). Yung is brash and earnest as always; Jimmy and Birmingham provide Pop Chan with approximately equal amounts of assistance on the case and comic relief.

The plot's a little convoluted but I suppose there's a chance it would all add up correctly if one set out to understand it....however, if anything holds the picture together it's not the great plot but rather Sidney Toler's usual steady presence as the great detective.

Favorite scene: Father and son sit in a restaurant and Jimmy Chan orders chop suey. Charlie Chan: "I shudder to think what Confucius say to that." Jimmy Chan: "Aw, it's good stuff, Pop. You oughta try it sometime."

This episode is a bit edgier. First of all, the murder being investigated is much more vicious than others. Charlie is working for an insurance company and is investigating this death but also is working on a personal interest missing persons case. We have here the reappearance of the Charlie's Number Two Son, Jimmy, who has much more personality than son Tommy. Mantan is there again to provide zaniness. That aside, there are several twists and turns in this plot that make it pretty entertaining. Charlie seems to take more of a personal interest in the results of this case because of the brutality of everything. As is always the case, there are some excellent suspects and a love story to boot