Charlie Chan in Shanghai
Directed by James Tinling
1935/USA
Fox Film Corporation
First viewing
Charlie Chan: Hasty conclusion like hind legs of mule – kick backwards.
Master-detective Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) travels to Shanghai ostensibly to visit the land of his ancestors but really to assist in a secret investigation. But the British agent he was to assist is murdered at Charlie’s welcoming banquet and Charlie soon finds himself dodging murder and kidnapping attempts. An American agent arrives and he and Charlie start on the trail of a gang of opium smugglers. With Keye Luke as Lee, Chan’s “Number 1 Son.”
This is a competent, fairly standard entry in the mystery series. It is notable for giving Oland a chance to show off his rich baritone singing voice when he entertains some children. Number 1 Son, whom I had not encountered before, is somewhat silly but also comes to his father’s assistance in this one.
