Charlie Chan on Broadway

USA 1937
produced by
John Stone for 20th Century Fox
directed by Eugene Forde
starring Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Joan Marsh, J. Edward Bromberg, Douglas Fowley, Harold Huber, Donald Woods, Louise Henry, Joan Woodbury, Leon Ames, Marc Lawrence, Toshia Mori, Charles Williams, Eugene Borden, Lon Chaney jr
story by Art Arthur, Robert Ellis, Helen Logan, screenplay by Charles Belden, Jerome Cady, based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers, musical director: Samuel Kaylin

Charlie Chan, Charlie Chan (Warner Oland), Number One Son Lee Chan, Charlie Chan at Fox

review by
Mike Haberfelner

Available on DVD! To buy, click on link(s) below and help keep this site afloat (commissions earned)   CLICK HERE to buy from Box-Set: Charlie Chan's Secret, Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo, Charlie Chan on Broadway, The Black Camel, Behind that Curtain Always make sure of DVD-compatibility!!!

Billie (Louise Henry), a gangster moll, had to skip New York a year ago - but now she has returned, with a diary to sell that could blow the rackets of the city wide open. Before you know it, she is shot dead in nightclub owner Burke's (Douglas Fowley) office, and since Burke has taken a powder, he is the logical murder suspect. But rather by accident, Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) is in town with his number one son Lee (Keye Luke), and he is not too sure about Burke's involvement,a nd when a second man (Marc Lawrence), a man who has been following Billie from New York, is found dead in Chan's room (where unbeknowest to anyone Billie has hidden her diary), that opens up a whole new perspective on the case.

After much to and fro that also involves Burke's return and proof of innocence, another gangster (Leon ames) and a newspaper editor (J.Edward Bromberg), a page of the diary is found that puts some blame on scoop-happy reporter Speedy (Donald Woods), and when he insists its a fake (it is, Chan has planted it), he gives his own game away, and reveals himself to be not only the killer, but also the man pulling the strings of the New York underworld.

Joan Marsh plays Speedy's girlfriend who was unaware of his illegal activities, Joan woodbury can be seen as Burke's moll.

Nice entry into the Charlie Chan series that might be a bit convoluted and confusing, but is also very well paced and keeps the balance between the humour typical to the series and its serious mystery plot just right. No masterpiece, sure, but a nice series-mystery.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Charlie Chan on Broadway at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Charlie Chan on Broadway here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai

Thanks for watching !!!