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IMDbPro

Phantom of Chinatown

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 2m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
723
YOUR RATING
Lotus Long, Keye Luke, and Grant Withers in Phantom of Chinatown (1940)
Mystery
Detective James Lee Wong is on the scene as archaeologist Dr. John Benton, recently returned from an expedition in China where a valuable ancient scroll was recovered, is murdered while givi... Read allDetective James Lee Wong is on the scene as archaeologist Dr. John Benton, recently returned from an expedition in China where a valuable ancient scroll was recovered, is murdered while giving a lecture on the expedition.Detective James Lee Wong is on the scene as archaeologist Dr. John Benton, recently returned from an expedition in China where a valuable ancient scroll was recovered, is murdered while giving a lecture on the expedition.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
723
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Phil Rosen
  • Writers
    • George Waggner(screenplay)
    • Ralph Gilbert Bettison(original story)
    • Hugh Wiley(characters from "James Lee Wong" series in Collier's Magazine)
  • Stars
    • Keye Luke
    • Lotus Long
    • Grant Withers
  • Director
    • Phil Rosen
  • Writers
    • George Waggner(screenplay)
    • Ralph Gilbert Bettison(original story)
    • Hugh Wiley(characters from "James Lee Wong" series in Collier's Magazine)
  • Stars
    • Keye Luke
    • Lotus Long
    • Grant Withers
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos6

    Lotus Long in Phantom of Chinatown (1940)
    John Dilson, Lotus Long, Keye Luke, and Grant Withers in Phantom of Chinatown (1940)
    Lotus Long, Keye Luke, and Grant Withers in Phantom of Chinatown (1940)
    Lotus Long, Victor Wong, Keye Luke, and Grant Withers in Phantom of Chinatown (1940)
    Lotus Long, Victor Wong, Keye Luke, and Grant Withers in Phantom of Chinatown (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Keye Luke
    Keye Luke
    • James Lee 'Jimmy' Wong
    Lotus Long
    Lotus Long
    • Win Len
    Grant Withers
    Grant Withers
    • Police Captain Street
    Charles Miller
    • Dr. John Benton
    Huntley Gordon
    Huntley Gordon
    • Dr. Norman Wilkes
    Virginia Carpenter
    • Louise Benton
    John Dilson
    John Dilson
    • Charlie Frasier
    • (as John H. Dilson)
    Paul McVey
    Paul McVey
    • Detective Grady
    John Holland
    John Holland
    • Mason
    Richard Terry
    • Toreno
    • (as Dick Terry)
    Robert Kellard
    Robert Kellard
    • Tommy Dean
    Willy Castello
    Willy Castello
    • Jonas
    • (as William Castello)
    Lee Tong Foo
    Lee Tong Foo
    • Foo
    • (as Lee Tung Foo)
    Lynton Brent
    Lynton Brent
    • Radio News Broadcaster
    • (uncredited)
    Morgan Brown
    Morgan Brown
    • Lecture Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Cheatham
    Jack Cheatham
    • Hospital Stakeout Cop
    • (uncredited)
    Heinie Conklin
    Heinie Conklin
    • Detective in Refrigerator
    • (uncredited)
    William Gould
    William Gould
    • Hospital Stakeout Cop
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Phil Rosen
    • Writers
      • George Waggner(screenplay)
      • Ralph Gilbert Bettison(original story)
      • Hugh Wiley(characters from "James Lee Wong" series in Collier's Magazine)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Possibly the very first instance where Hollywood produced a 'prequel,' because this last entry in the series depicts the first meeting between Mr. Wong and Capt. Street.
    • Goofs
      When Captain Street and James Lee Wong notice a secret compartment in Charlie's restaurant leading to a hidden room; they break open the door by shooting off the lock. But on the following cut when Captain Street returns to that same hidden room after the two criminals escape in a motorboat; the previously broken door and the lock are now intact enabling Charlie to lock Captain Street in the room.
    • Quotes

      Capt. Street: What's this?

      Jonas: The sarcophagus from the Chinese tomb sir, that once contained the body of a Ming Emperor.

      James Lee Wong: They tell me that a Chinese archaeological expedition is digging up the body of George Washington in exchange.

    • Connections
      Edited into Who Dunit Theater: Phantom of Chinatown (2015)

    User reviews28

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Luke vs. Karloff
    Not a major film, but interesting for it's unique elements. Boris Karloff made some "Wong" films and was criticised for not affecting a Chinese accent. But here we have a real Chinese actor playing the Chinese detective role and he didn't go for the Chinese accent either. Neither does the Chinese leading lady. Maybe that's why they didn't make another "Wong" with this cast; audiences probably didn't want to be challenged by the notion of foreigners who could speak English as well as anyone else.

    the George Washington bit was a surprise. I had to rewind just to see if I had actually heard what I thought I heard.
    helpful•17
    2
    • robcat2075
    • Dec 1, 2006

    FAQ2

    • What is notable about this film?
    • Is this available on DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 18, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El Fantasma de Chinatown
    • Production company
      • Monogram Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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