Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981)

Detective Charlie Chan helps SFPD solve the many bizarre murders. His clumsy grandson Lee, who's getting married, "helps" him. Is the Dragon Queen behind this?

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Jerry Sherlock (story), Stan Burns (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Ustinov, Lee Grant, Angie Dickinson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Ustinov	...	Charlie Chan
Lee Grant	...	Mrs. Lupowitz
Angie Dickinson	...	Dragon Queen
Richard Hatch	...	Lee Chan, Jr.
Brian Keith	...	Police Chief
Roddy McDowall	...	Gillespie
Rachel Roberts	...	Mrs. Dangers
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Cordelia
Paul Ryan	...	Masten
Johnny Sekka	...	Stefan
Bennett Ohta	...	Hawaiian Chief of Police
David Hirokane	...	Lee Chan Sr.
Karlene Crockett	...	Brenda Lupowitz
Michael Fairman	...	Bernard Lupowitz
James Ray	...	Haynes

Storyline

Famous detective Charlie Chan (Sir Peter Ustinov) is called out of retirement to help a San Francisco Detective (Brian Keith) solve a mysterious series of murders. With his bumbling grandson Lee Chan, Jr. (Richard Hatch) as his sidekick, Chan also encounters an old nemesis known as the "Dragon Queen" (Angie Dickinson), who is the prime suspect.

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Plot Keywords:

woman murders a woman | murderess | charlie chan character | nine word title | 1980s | 

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Taglines:

Murderer who turn victim into human baked potato have real appetite for crime.

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Genres:

Comedy | Mystery

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

From 1926 to 1949, publicity for this movie stated that "Charlie Chan" appeared in one movie serial and forty-six movies, the most movies made about any fictional character. At the time of this movie, publicity also declared that the character had never been played by a Chinese actor.

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Quotes

Charlie Chan: Process of aging never agreeable, but better than alternative.

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Connections

Follows Black Magic (1944)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
Written by Patty S. Hill and Mildred J. Hill
Performed by Michelle Pfeiffer and Richard Hatch

User Reviews

Just unwatchable

I liked the Charlie Chan movies I remember watching on television when I was growing up, I like Peter Ustinov very much and I thought it a very bold stroke to have Angie Dickinson play the "Dragon Queen" (a role made for the likes of a Lucy Liu).

That's why I'm irritated by having rented this movie. It's just awful - truly truly awful. You'll sigh, you'll look at your watch, you'll feel as if you're stuck with some adolescent in an elevator trying out his impressions for 17 hours until they free you.

Don't rent it - it's just TERRIBLE - and with this cast, that's such a shame.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie Chan contra la Reina Dragón

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Cinema Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1