The Shanghai Cobra

I particularly like this Chan as the first in which Tommy and Birmingham become partners in crime (pun intended). Notice Tommy reaching around and holding Birmingham's hand - there's real affection and togetherness there, although Birmingham doesn't necessarily want to follow Tommy. Are the plot twists nutty? Of course, it's a B movie, not Citizen Freakin' Kane, folks. They were making four of these a year - what do you want? Toler's Chan is more assertive than Oland - Toler orders the bank president around more than once. There's far less of Birmingham popping his eyes out in this one, and fewer 'feets don't fail me now' talk. Tommy seems destined for trouble, but otherwise this episode plays it straighter than some, more humorous Chans.

IF more people took these films for what they are - and not compare them to The Third Man - they might find themselves having a little more fun in life.