The Scarlet Clue (1945)

Charlie discovers a scheme for the theft of government radar plans while investigating several murders.

Director:

Phil Rosen

Writers:

George Callahan (original screenplay), Earl Derr Biggers (based on the character created by)

Stars:

Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Ben Carter

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sidney Toler	...	Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland	...	Birmingham Brown
Ben Carter	...	Ben Carter
Benson Fong	...	Tommy Chan
Virginia Brissac	...	Mrs. Marsh
Robert Homans	...	Capt. Flynn (as Robert E. Homans)
Jack Norton	...	Willie Rand
Janet Shaw	...	Gloria Bayne
Helen Deverell	...	Diane Hall (as Helen Devereaux)
Victoria Faust	...	Hulda Swenson

Storyline

Charlie Chan investigates the theft of government radar papers (the laboratory is located in the same building as a radio station!) with the help of Number Three Son Tommy and comic sidekick Birmingham Brown.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | radar | radio wave | radio waves | electromagnetic wave | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was first telecast in New York City Thursday 17 June 1948 on WCBS (Channel 2), in Cincinnati Tuesday 6 December 1949 on WKRC (Channel 11), and in Los Angeles Monday 2 January 1950 on KTLA (Channel 5).

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Goofs

Charlie tells the police chemist to blow the cigarette smoke into the beaker. It is not a beaker, but an Erlenmeyer flask the smoke is blown into it, while all are in the police laboratory.

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Quotes

Tommy Chan: Hey, you know, Pop, I've got an idea about this case.
Charlie Chan: Yes? Well?
Tommy Chan: Well, I had an idea, but it's gone now.
Charlie Chan: Possibly could not stand solitary confinement.

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Connections

Followed by Shanghai Chest (1948)

User Reviews

Above Average For Monogram Pictures

Some Charlie Chan movies by Monogram are just wretched. "The Scarlet Clue", however, is fairly well done. Lighting and camera angles make for a suitably mysterious atmosphere. The whodunit puzzle contains a well defined group of suspects. And the script is humorous, both the dialogue between Chan and his son, and the constant jabber of the wonderful Mantan Moreland.

But the film seems terribly dated. The plot, which involves WWII radar secrets in a radio station, is outmoded, and the scientific "equipment" belongs in a museum. Moreover, production values are almost nonexistent. There are some plot holes; and at the end, Chan never tells us how he deduced the identity of the killer.

Overall, for those who enjoy Charlie Chan movies, "The Scarlet Clue" is one of the better ones to watch. Everyone else will probably find this movie lame.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie Chan in the Scarlet Clue

Box Office

Budget:

$75,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monogram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1