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Shadows Over Chinatown

  • 1946
  • 1h 4m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
871
YOUR RATING
Shadows Over Chinatown (1946)
CrimeMystery

Charlie investigates murders connected with insurance fraud. This one is set in San Francisco's Chinatown.Charlie investigates murders connected with insurance fraud. This one is set in San Francisco's Chinatown.Charlie investigates murders connected with insurance fraud. This one is set in San Francisco's Chinatown.

  • Director
    • Terry O. Morse
  • Writers
    • Earl Derr Biggers
    • Raymond L. Schrock
  • Stars
    • Sidney Toler
    • Mantan Moreland
    • Victor Sen Yung
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    871
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Terry O. Morse
    • Writers
      • Earl Derr Biggers
      • Raymond L. Schrock
    • Stars
      • Sidney Toler
      • Mantan Moreland
      • Victor Sen Yung
    • 24User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

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    Top cast36

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    Sidney Toler
    Sidney Toler
    • Charlie Chan
    Mantan Moreland
    Mantan Moreland
    • Birmingham Brown
    Victor Sen Yung
    Victor Sen Yung
    • Jimmy Chan
    • (as Victor Sen Young)
    Tanis Chandler
    Tanis Chandler
    • Mary Conover
    John Gallaudet
    John Gallaudet
    • Jeff Hay
    Paul Bryar
    Paul Bryar
    • Mike Rogan
    Bruce Kellogg
    Bruce Kellogg
    • Jack Tilford
    Al Bridge
    Al Bridge
    • Capt. Allen
    • (as Alan Bridge)
    Mary Gordon
    Mary Gordon
    • Mrs. Conover
    Dorothy Granger
    Dorothy Granger
    • Joan Mercer
    Jack Norton
    Jack Norton
    • Mr. Cosgrove
    George Eldredge
    George Eldredge
    • Lannigan
    Tyra Vaughn
    • Miss Chalmers
    Lyle Latell
    Lyle Latell
    • Police Clerk
    Mira McKinney
    Mira McKinney
    • Kate Johnson
    • (as Myra McKinney)
    Harry Depp
    Harry Depp
    • Dr. Denby
    Gladys Blake
    Gladys Blake
    • Mrs. Myrtle
    Kit Carson
    • Hotel Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Terry O. Morse
    • Writers
      • Earl Derr Biggers
      • Raymond L. Schrock
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    6.5871
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    Featured reviews

    5utgard14

    The Return of Jimmy Chan

    Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) investigates insurance fraud and a series of murders. Another Monogram Chan film that is helped by the return of "Number Two Son" Jimmy Chan (Victor Sen Yung), last seen in the 1942 Fox film Castle in the Desert. Up until this point at Monogram, Charlie had been saddled with dull-as-dirt Tommy Chan, played by bland Benson Fong. Victor Sen Yung is a breath of fresh air for this stale series. That being said, he can only do so much. It's still Monogram so it's still cheap. Also, there's still obtrusive comic relief Birmingham Brown, played by bug-eyed Mantan Moreland. The good news is that Moreland doesn't overpower Sen Yung like he did Fong. So it's a watchable effort but nothing special. But when it comes to the Monogram series, watchable is about as much as you can hope for.
    6kga58

    Not the best, but interesting never the less...

    This CHAN entry is a little different from the opening. First, there is a sequence in the Missing Persons Bureau with an off-screen narrator explaining the goings on. Then the "torso killings"--shades of the Black Dahlia. I don't recall such gruesome deaths in the earlier Chans, although here they are only spoken of. The plot is pure Monogram Chan for better or worse(a scorecard would come in handy with this outing as well as most of the others). The interaction between Toler, Sen Yung and Mantan Moreland is as always fun to watch. Much has been made of Moreland's parts in these films and their supposed "racist" overtones. Maybe so, but IMNTBHO him playing a scared bumbler is no different than Lou Costello playing a scared bumbler in one of the A&C flicks---and they are both super at it. If all else fails there is beautiful Tanis Chandler to ogle! Why she never became a true star is beyond me--she's a sight.
    6Panamint

    Worthwhile

    "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.
    tedg

    Just a Torso

    You'll find all sorts of gems by noodling around in films of the 30s and 40s. Some absolute treasures await you in unlikely places. One of these is in various experiments in the detective story that were being conducted at the time.

    And sometimes a series in this period yields riches in how it evolves. But I can tell you that except in one respect this film is so poor in content and interest, you should avoid it. I'm not talking about production values here or even questions about the sense of the mystery.

    We've never let them get in the way before if there is a core that rewards.

    Everyone seems tired here (except for that one element I'll mention below). Toler was in his seventies and can merely grimace. The Confucianisms that were clever in a few Chan movies are rote and childish here. The plot bumps about until it tumbles down all the stairs allotted to it.

    The one bright light is Mantan Mooreland. The series is, after all, about how one race, the Chinese, have gifts — inscrutable insight and some wisdom. Its always been peppered by the caveat of race by the comical black man. Mantan plays this man, the childish chauffeur (usually called a driver).

    He's terrified, a coward. And he's ignorant. Combining these two with minstrel characteristics and you get a stuttering, bug eyed foil that easily is well over the line in offensive.

    And yet. He is such an artist. His timing is so sublime, that you have to just watch him in awe. He's a star, a great actor. If we don't burden Brando by thinking that he is actually his characters, why should we do so here?

    He's in more watchable films, and just as appealing in how he connects. But if you happen to accidentally be watching this, he'll give some relief.

    Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
    7ksf-2

    Toler as charlie chan

    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.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sidney Toler had been diagnosed with terminal cancer just before filming on this movie started, but insisted on continuing his commitment to the Charlie Chan film series. The studio accommodated him by granting him prolonged breaks for rest, and staging the scenes so as not to tax his strength. By having the Chan character wounded at the beginning of this film, the studio could conserve Toler's energy and spare him from extended movement. Although Toler remains the central actor, much of the action is diverted to Jimmy Chan (Victor Sen Yung) and Birmingham Brown (Mantan Moreland).
    • Goofs
      The scene of the bus supposedly pulling into the San Francisco terminal was very obviously filmed in Hollywood.
    • Quotes

      Charlie Chan: Confucius say sleep only an escape from yesterday.

    • Connections
      Featured in Murder Before Midnight: Shadows Over Chinatown

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 1946 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Charlie Chan in Shadows Over Chinatown
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA(studio and some exteriors)
    • Production company
      • Monogram Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $75,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 4m(64 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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