Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938)

While Charlie is distracted with the birth of his first grandchild, son Jimmy impersonates his father in order to investigate a murder aboard a freighter in the harbor.

Director:

H. Bruce Humberstone

Writers:

Charles Belden (original screenplay), Earl Derr Biggers (based on: the character "Charlie Chan" created by),

Stars:

Sidney Toler, Phyllis Brooks, Victor Sen Yung

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sidney Toler	...	Charlie Chan
Phyllis Brooks	...	Judy Hayes
Victor Sen Yung	...	James Chan (as Sen Yung)
Eddie Collins	...	Al Hogan
John 'Dusty' King	...	Randolph (as John King)
Claire Dodd	...	Mrs. Carol Wayne
George Zucco	...	Dr. Cardigan
Robert Barrat	...	Captain Johnson
Marc Lawrence	...	Johnny McCoy
Richard Lane	...	Joe Arnold
Layne Tom Jr.	...	Tommy Chan
Philip Ahn	...	Wing Foo
Paul Harvey	...	Inspector Rawlins

Storyline

With Charlie Chan distracted by the imminent birth of his first grandchild, young Tommy Chan persuades his older brother Jimmy (eager to be a detective) to take Pop's place when a call comes in directing Charlie to investigate a murder aboard a freighter. Charlie eventually learns of this and boards the ship to straighten out its slew of suspects, a cargo hold full of wild animals, and two well-meaning but ineffectual sons.

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Plot Keywords:

freighter | detective | suspect | human brain | lion | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 January 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie Chan em Honolulu

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hollywood, California, Monday, October 17, 1938: Darryl F. Zanuck has selected Sidney Toler to play the role of Charlie Chan, succeeding the late Warner Oland. His first picture will be "Charlie Chan in Honolulu" which will start production October 24, with John Stone as the associate producer. Toler was discovered by Sol M. Wurtzel when he looked at rushes of Up the River, current 20th Century-Fox picture in which Toler is a featured player.

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Goofs

When Jimmy Chan (Sen Yung) is chasing after a suspect he accidentally trips over a cart knocking himself out. In the scene it is clearly a stunt double as we can see the stunt man's Caucasian face as he trips and falls.

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Quotes

Dr. Cardigan: Oh, pardon me. You're a friend of Mr. McCoy. What sentence is he returning to?
Mike Hannigan, alias Det. Arnold: 110 years... counting time off for good behavior.
Dr. Cardigan: Oh, what a pity! I had hoped for an execution. Too bad.

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Connections

Follows The Chinese Parrot (1927)

User Reviews

May I Have Another Look at Your Brain, Please

Fairly good blend of comedy and mystery. There's been a murder aboard ship in Honolulu and Charlie must leave his clan and expectant daughter-in-law to investigate. Highlight for me is George Zucco doing his mad scientist routine with usual straight face. Here he collects human brains in bottles, and when he grabs Jimmy Chan (Sen Yung) to measure his head, it's funnier than all the other antics combined. Fine cast, including fast-talking Dick Lane, sinister Marc Lawrence, Kewpie-doll Phyllis Brooks, and the much-underrated Claire Dodd with a force to her that's good enough for A-pictures. Also, it's a sprightly Sydney Toler in his first turn as the Chinese detective. For me, the rotund rubber-faced Eddie Collins is a matter of taste, but he does have his moments with the pet lion (likely left over from another production). Anyway, it's a good fast 60 minutes with a well-developed array of suspects and a number of chuckles.