The Shanghai Cobra (1945)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Earl Derr Biggers (characters)
George Callahan (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 September 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Charlie Chan at his best in his most thrilling adventure!

Plot:

Someone is attempting to steal radium stored in a bank. Cobra bites lead to a number of murders. Charlie investigates.

Plot Keywords:

Bank | Radium | Tunnel | Murder | Charlie Chan

Cast

Sidney Toler	...	Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland	...	Birmingham Brown
Benson Fong	...	Tommy Chan
James Cardwell	...	Ned Stewart
Joan Barclay	...	Paula Webb
Addison Richards	...	John Adams
Arthur Loft	...	Bradford Harris
Janet Warren	...	Record Machine Operator
Gene Roth	...	Morgan (as Gene Stutenroth)
Joe Devlin	...	Taylor
James Flavin	...	H.R. Jarvis
Roy Gordon	...	Walter Fletcher
Walter Fenner	...	Police Inspector Harry Davis

Runtime:

64 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (Certificate #10989)

Company:

Monogram Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Actual footage of the Japanese bombing of Shanghai is used in the flashback sequence.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: A building supposedly located in Washington, DC, has the California state flag flying from its flagpole.

Quotes:

Charlie Chan: Skeleton key please!
Police Inspector Harry Davis: This is strictly illegal.
Charlie Chan: Four murders much more illegal!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Remington Steele: Dancer, Prancer, Donner and Steele (#4.9)" (1985)

Bland Story Until 'Tommy' & 'Birmingham' Go To Work

This Charlie Chan entry was more mystery-oriented than most of the Monogram Pictures versions, which tended to rely more on humor. The earlier Warner Oland-Chan films were like this one with the emphasis more on serious issues. I liked both Oland and Sidney Toler in the role of Charlie Chan, so I have no complaints either way.

As usual, it's Charlie's assistants: "Birmingham Brown" (Mantan Moreland) and "Number Three Son Tommy" (Benson Fong) who need to be rescued. They also try to help but usually wind up in trouble. Charlie has to solve the murder and help his buddies. It's a good thing because "Tommy" and "Brimingham" are the ones who add spice to this story, which was flat until the halfway mark.

This is kind of strange story and nothing was stranger than this jukebox that was rigged as a camera, with somebody behind it. It's hard to describe but it very cool, and something - technology-wise, that seemed to be way ahead of its time.

None of the Monogram Chan movies in the 1940s were "classics" but they all were entertaining and offered something different. This movie is typical: boring for some viewers, fascinating for others, lulls that shouldn't be there, but a good mix of humor, suspense and mystery.

In a nutshell, Charlie is called to Washington to help a Federal guy with a baffling case. Charlie owed him a favor so he is cashing in. It seems three people have been killed with cobra venom and the prime suspect is a guy that got caught in Shanghai eight years ago but now is not recognized. Only Charlie would know who the guys is, hence, they need him. (The suspect, "Jan Van Horn" was badly burned when the Japanese bombed the city, as the time of his arrest.)

Anyway, all three recent victims of the cobra bite worked for Sixth National Bank but the police have no clue. No wonder they always need Chan's assistance. Most of the officers shown in these movies are clueless about anything.

The story, even at a little over one hour in length, is slow in the first half hour and could use some punching up, but once Charlie's kid and "Birmingham Brown" go down to the sewers to investigate, the film is fun. Anyway, it's not like you waste half the day watching it. Charlie Chan movies are usually a fun way to spend a little over an hour.