Charlie Chan in London (1934)
Charlie Chan is sought out by Pamela Gray, a desperate young socialite whose brother Paul awaits execution for the murder of a weapons inventor. Pamela is convinced of his innocence.
- Eugene Forde
- Earl Derr Biggers
- Philip MacDonald
Rating: 6.9/10 by 32 users
Alternative Title:
Die Nacht vor dem Henker - AT
Чарли Чан в Лондоне - SU
Чарли Чан в Лондоне - RU
Il nemico invisibile - IT
Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 19 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0
Plot Keyword: death row, murder, murder investigation, police inspector, asian man, charlie chan
Warner Oland is the eponymous detective given just 65 hours to save a man from the gallows in this rather cluttered crime mystery. This time, he has come to London were he is recruited by the all-too-frequently distressed "Pamela" (Drue Leyton) who is convinced that her brother "Paul" (a really hammy Douglas Walton) didn't commit a murder at their stately pile. The lack of children or chauffeurs to help doesn't impede his thorough investigation that does, of course, quickly establish the true culprit. Not one of the better stories, this - there are too many characters and many of the British stereotypes are old and tired, even by 1930s standards. We do have a wide range of plausible suspects though ; Alan Mowbray and Ray Milland are efficient and EE Clive steals the whole thing - constantly referring to "Mr. Chang" - as Scotland Yard's finest, and quite possibly densest, policeman "Sgt. Thacker". The solution to the mystery comes from left field but it reminded me somewhat of a scooby-do cartoon. It's still fun, and Oland is beginning to make this part his own. Not quite sure there actually is a boat from the UK to Honolulu, though,...!
