Customer Reviews

Charlie Chan in London

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Not great detective. Just lucky old Chinaman." -- Charlie Chan


Charlie mingles with the fox hunting crowd in this enjoyable entry in the Chan franchise. A good story from Philip Macdonald keeps us guessing in this one, making up for a somewhat languid pace. Warner Oland's quiet and dignified portrayel of Earl Derr Bigger's famous detective works nicely here. A nice cast which includes Alan Mowbray, Drue Leyton, Mona Barrie, and a young Ray Milland surround the Hawaiian sleuth but, as always, the most fun is derived from watching Chan spout famous words of wisdom while solving the mystery.

Charlie is about to leave London and head back to his large family in Honolulu when pretty Pamela Gray (Drue Leyton), distraught and desperate for help, convinces him to find a real murderer before her brother is hung for a crime he did not commit. Even her fiance who defended him in court, Neil Howard (Ray Milland), isn't convinced he's innocent, but Charlie heads to the country and soon suspects all is not right. Alan Mowbray and Mona Barrie hang around as Geoffrey Richmond and his fiancee, Mary Bristol, while Chan reconstructs the original crime, which prompts a second deadly encounter.

Someone makes an attempt on Charle's life that nearly succeeds, and a third murder almost occurs when Mary realizes she may have seen something which will help our favorite detective. He's soon on the trail of stolen war plans and sets a trap for the murderer, a few surprises from the rest of the household finding their way to the surface at the same time. A fun epilog as Charlie turns his attention to solving romantic troubles rather than crime end this one on a high note, making it worth the trip. A good entry in the series which is also available as part of a boxed set. A lot of fun for Charlie Chan fans.

Charlie Chan in London is one my favorite movies in the series. The opening grips you when you discover that a young man is about to be executed for a murder he claims he didn't commit. Only his sister believes in his innocence, and all avenues of escape seem closed after the Home Secretary turns down her appeal. But she begs Charlie Chan to see what can be done in the remaining three days.

Charlie is about to leave London but changes his plans to help the young people. Arriving at an English country manor, Charlie must examine the setting to find out what really happened. Only by finding the real killer can the young man be saved.

It all looks pretty bleak until Charlie re-creates the crime and begins to pick up clues. A rattled murderer soon begins making mistakes.

The mystery is a hard one to solve, and you won't identify the killer much before Charlie does. The continual tolling of time adds real suspense and drama to the investigation.

One of the strengths of this movie is that excellent character actors are allowed to steal scenes, in the best tradition of 30's movies: A supercilious and suspicious butler wants to keep Charlie out of the house; a drunk and his wife provide humorous by plays making fun of English pretentiousness; and a not-too-bright police detective has trouble with Charlie's name and following what Charlie tells him.

Drue Leyton is solid in the role of Pamela Gray, sister of the accused man. Her leading man, Ray Milland, is somewhat weak in his role . . . not yet having developed into the suave, assured actor he later became. But it's fun to see Milland as a young actor.

The setting is well done. With one exception (driving in a car with the steering wheel on the left), all the settings ring true for being in England. Especially good for local color is a fox hunt complete with full kit, dogs, and a fox.

If you watched this movie as a youngster as I did, I'm sure it will also provide some nostalgia by helping you remember how you reacted to the movie the first time you saw it.

Charlie Chan in London is one my favorite movies in the series. The opening grips you when you discover that a young man is about to be executed for a murder he claims he didn't commit. Only his sister believes in his innocence, and all avenues of escape seem closed after the Home Secretary turns down her appeal. But she begs Charlie Chan to see what can be done in the remaining three days.

Charlie is about to leave London but changes his plans to help the young people. Arriving at an English country manor, Charlie must examine the setting to find out what really happened. Only by finding the real killer can the young man be saved.

It all looks pretty bleak until Charlie re-creates the crime and begins to pick up clues. A rattled murderer soon begins making mistakes.

The mystery is a hard one to solve, and you won't identify the killer much before Charlie does. The continual tolling of time adds real suspense and drama to the investigation.

One of the strengths of this movie is that excellent character actors are allowed to steal scenes, in the best tradition of 30's movies: A supercilious and suspicious butler wants to keep Charlie out of the house; a drunk and his wife provide humorous by plays making fun of English pretentiousness; and a not-too-bright police detective has trouble with Charlie's name and following what Charlie tells him.

Drue Leyton is solid in the role of Pamela Gray, sister of the accused man. Her leading man, Ray Milland, is somewhat weak in his role . . . not yet having developed into the suave, assured actor he later became. But it's fun to see Milland as a young actor.

The setting is well done. With one exception (driving in a car with the steering wheel on the left), all the settings ring true for being in England. Especially good for local color is a fox hunt complete with full kit, dogs, and a fox.

If you watched this movie as a youngster as I did, I'm sure it will also provide some nostalgia by helping you remember how you reacted to the movie the first time you saw it.

It's clear from the somewhat flickery opening credits that this is a VERY early Charlie Chan entry... but this film is well-worth watching if you're a Chan-Fan like me.
Here, an innocent man will meet his end on the hangman's noose if Charlie Chan doesn't discover the real murderer within 40 hours. The investigation expands at an English mansion, bulging with aristocrats (supposed friends of the prisoner!), who have gathered to engage in a genuine English fox hunt. The fox hunt takes place and, following up on a clue from a horse that gets killed (and very nearly killed it's beautiful rider), Charlie (of course) saves the day as well as the aggrieved death-row prisoner, but much to the demise of.......?????
By the way, this movie conveniently provides the premise for a recent (and incredible English tongue-in-cheek mystery), "Gosford Park". Don't miss THAT one either!