Charlie Chan on Broadway

This is better than most of the Charlie Chan. It has number one son, Keye Luke. As usual, it has the right mood, but, it also has a plot that actually almost makes sense. It is possible to solve along with Charlie on this one. Definitely, see if you can figure out who did it along with Charlie.

Snappy Warner Oland as Charlie Chan murder mystery set at sea and in New York. Oland's slowness in this film is complemented by good direction from an old hand, a total of five writers, and a great supporting cast. Harold Huber, making his Chan debut, plays an active and effective police inspector that works with and not in parallel with Chan. Joan Marsh looks great and turns in a solid performance. Keye Luke is allowed to help rather than hinder the crime solution. I suppose that Joan Woodbury's dancing was all the rage at the time.

Plot involves diary that if published will cause a great deal of harm to a lot of people: `No poison more deadly than ink.' Lots of misdirection with an obvious suspect and another who it appears will be actually guilty: `Murder case like revolving door, when one side close another side open.' In the end, the police and Chan trap the killer but not until Chan reveals clues that the viewer cannot have been aware. Racial slurs against Orientals remain in the series with the New York Police Band playing `Chinatown' in honor of Chan's arrival. Interesting use of `Candid Camera' theme at the Hottentot Club. One of the better Oland Chan films - recommended.

A young woman, Billie, puts a package in a trunk belonging to Charlie Chan. Charlie is with his number one son. He is there to be honored at a luncheon. A woman is killed and it proves to be Billie. While things are being investigated the prime suspect gets out the door. Soon another person is murdered in Charlie's room. There is an incriminating diary involved. As is usually the case, Lee gets in the middle of everything. One thing I've noticed about Keye Luke's voice is so loud. Frequently there is someone outside the door or at a window. He continues to provide comic relief. One of the things about this episode is that there is little if any mention of the Great White Way.

When a nightclub singer who has listed the secrets of the underworld in her diary is murdered and the diary stolen, our aphoristic Chinese detective swings into action.

Another fun episode with Chan and number one son getting involved with big-shot racketeers, shady ladies and prying newspapermen in Broadway, Olympus. Can be confusing at times, but overall a good entry with a surprising revelation of the killer. Also starring Leon Ames and Harold Huber, who adds enjoyment to the tale when working with Chan and number one son.

The title of this Charlie Chan flick is a misnomer because Broadway doesn't play a part in this film. Yes, we are in New York City for part of the story, but the scene isn't Broadway but "The Hottentot Club."

This Chan story has the normal assortment of interesting characters. It didn't think Charlie's proverbs were up to snuff in this one but his repartee with Number One Son (Keye Luke) was fun to hear, as always.

Louise Henry, a woman who has a diary that everyone is after in this murder-mystery, has one of the prettiest faces I've seen in a Chan movie. However, on the opposite side, Harold Huber as "Inspector Nelson" is one of the more annoying ones I've seen.

Overall: good, and another in the series that I am still hoping to see on DVD.