Charlie Chan a Panama

Sidney Toler did really well in this outing as Detective Charlie Chan, undercover in Panama City in order to help the U. S. Government capture spies. Since one of Charlie Chan's signature parts of his outfit is his Panama Hat, it was only logical that his cover be as a proprietor of a Panama Hat shop.

As in most Chan movies, we see very atmospheric locales, many shady characters, and Chan, ever calm, solving the mystery. Lionel Atwill is a part of the shady cast and does a great job. Victor Sen-Yung who plays #2 son, Jimmy will be a familiar face to TV watchers, he played Hop Sing the Chinese cook on Bonanza for years. He does a great job here as the over eager son who wants to help Charlie but usually ends up in the way. He does provide good comic relief in this story.

All in all, a good entry in the Chan series. The solution to the mystery is a little clearer than it often is in this series, many times with Charlie Chan films when he explains the solution at the end, you just have to throw up your hands and trust that Charlie knows what he is talking about, it isn't always very clear. The telling of the story makes sense, making this a good introduction to the series if you are new at it.

Recommended!!!

As the title implies, the famous detective is in the country of Panama disguised as a hat salesman in order to expose a spy in the vicinity. Along for this ride is his son Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung) who, as usual, gets into some scrapes but, as always, is once again willing to help his Pop along on a case. I'll just now say this was quite exciting to watch during the hour and seven minutes it was running. So I say, give Charlie Chan in Panama a chance.

This spy adventure is one of Sidney Toler's best Chan films. It is a very clever and exciting mystery with a lot of local atmosphere including a crypt. The supporting cast is excellent. There is a lot of humor, action, and suspense through out. The story was filmed before as "Marie Galante" in 1934 with Spencer Tracy. This is a much better version.

Although made before the U.S. had entered World War II, this one feels totally like a World War II picture. Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) goes undercover in Panama to root out a saboteur (and murderer) known as Ryner. Exceptionally good supporting cast, solid plot, and tense direction make this one of the better Toler Chan films. Victor Sen Yung is back as "Number Two Son" Jimmy Chan and is fun as always. His comical antics are dialed back a bit here to make room for the sabotage story, which is treated with the utmost seriousness. Lionel Atwill, Addison Richards, Jean Rogers, Mary Nash, and Jack La Rue are all very good. Interesting that Charlie doesn't show up until ten minutes into the movie. Good story and the saboteur's identity was a genuine surprise to me. Definitely a Charlie Chan film I would recommend.

back lot Hollywood provides a rather convincing Panama City of the 40's.Overall a fine plot of a mystery that works evenly with a surprise ending.One of Tolar's better movies, if not the best, with an excellent cast of characters.Well done !