The Shanghai Cobra (1945)Someone is attempting to steal radium stored in a bank. Death by cobra venom connects a number of murders. Charlie investigates. Director:Phil Karlson |
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The Shanghai Cobra (1945)Someone is attempting to steal radium stored in a bank. Death by cobra venom connects a number of murders. Charlie investigates. Director:Phil Karlson |
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| Sidney Toler | ... | ||
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Mantan Moreland | ... | |
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Benson Fong | ... | |
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James Cardwell | ... |
Ned Stewart
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Joan Barclay | ... |
Paula Webb
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Addison Richards | ... |
John Adams
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Arthur Loft | ... |
Bradford Harris
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Janet Warren | ... |
Record Machine Operator
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Gene Roth | ... |
Morgan
(as Gene Stutenroth)
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Joe Devlin | ... |
Taylor
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James Flavin | ... |
H.R. Jarvis
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Roy Gordon | ... |
Walter Fletcher
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Walter Fenner | ... |
Police Inspector Harry Davis
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When three employees of a bank are found murdered with cobra venom, Charlie Chan connects the homicides to a case he had worked in Shanghai in 1937. Even though he arrested the alleged murderer, whom later escaped from the police, Charlie wouldn't be able to recognize him because, at the time of his apprehension, his badly burned face and hands were swathed in bandages. Although Chan believes he is now involved with a gang that is stealing valuable radium from a bank vault, utilizing tunnels that connect to the area sewer system, his new identity remains a mystery. When a detective disguised as a bank guard is found dead in a tunnel by Birmingham, Charlie knows he's on the right track. Written by Gabe Taverney (duke1029@aol.com)
Charlie's still working for the Federal Govt., and along with no. 3 son Tommy and the rather subdued Birmingham are trying to prevent a gang of crooks stealing some radium from an impenetrable bank vault. Who are also being tailed by a watchful someone who they framed 8 years before in Shanghai.
They all seem to spend a lot of time in that old friend, the gas chamber from the Jade Mask, this time masquerading as the sewers under the bank. But the key to this movie's implausible Monogram-plot is the very advanced jukebox in the diner which is manned via television by baddies 2 blocks away in the depths of the Monogram bank. Unsurprisingly Charlie solves everything.
All of the above probably makes it sounds utter tripe, but I've always liked this outing from the team, with a nice and dark nitrate atmosphere pervading throughout to compensate for the plot's definite shortcomings. Not so many smart ass one-liners as in other efforts, but none the worse for that! Sure, it's the usual cheap Monogram affair, but if you sat through it knowing that and didn't like it kiss that hour goodbye forever!