Shadow of Chinatown

Shadow of Chinatown (1936) is actually a 15-part serial but the movie is a condensed/edited version of it. Basically, 15 shows edited to create one movie. I have not seen the serial only this film version.

With the serial being condensed into a movie I'm sure the viewer is missing out on some interesting scenes by watching only the movie version but I feel they did a good job with the movie to cut through the chase and get to the heart and soul of the serial.

I liked this film. It's not the greatest Lugosi film but it's actually a fun crime-drama to watch. Victor Poten (Lugosi) will hypnotize and terrorize the people that get in his way of destroying Chinatown - he is a vengeful madman.

The movie is interesting enough that I would like to watch the the entire 15-part serial. For me it's just to watch Lugosi in something different.

6/10

Merchants in the Chinatown district are targeted by evil European business people intent on taking over their territory. The obvious answer? To hire a mad scientist of course! An inquisitive male/female duo investigates and try to thwart the dastardly plan.

Shadow of Chinatown was edited into feature length from a fifteen part serial of the same name. It's only real selling point nowadays is its star actor Bela Lugosi. But before anyone gets too excited about this, it has to be said that it's a very lacklustre performance from the Hungarian star. Even by 1936 he was slumming it in cheap undistinguished b-pictures like this one. I've seen a few films from various eras that were made from editing episodes of serials together and, with few exceptions, they usually end up being really poor. This one is no exception to this general rule and ultimately is a pretty forgettable viewing experience.

"A group of Chinese merchants and importers are the target of a European import firm that uses a beautiful Eurasian girl and a mad scientist as the means to put them out of business. A newspaper reporter and her dashing boyfriend learn of the problems the Chinatown businessmen are dealing with and decide to investigate," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.

"Shadow of Chinatown" is a feature length version of the recently released 15-part serial; its shortened length is a welcome digestion, considering the lack of quality on display.

Super hypnotist Bela Lugosi (as Victor Poten) is more stupefying than hypnotic. Though Mr. Lugosi gets top billing, Bruce Bennett stars (as Martin "Marty" Andrews); and, he is a serviceable serial hero. Joan Barclay and Luana Walters add feminine wiles. The players appear to have blocked their scenes, and know their lines well enough for a quick read through. Mr. Bennett has some good fighting scenes; for example, the one atop a building, with Charles King. There is a semi-cool car chase, with 1930s automobiles and an old "Stop"/"Go" traffic signal.

Shadow of Chinatown (1936)

** (out of 4)

Feature version

European businessmen want the China trades shut down so they hire a madman (Bela Lugosi) to destroy Chinatown. This was originally a 15-part serial but this here is the feature version of that and it isn't too bad. I haven't seen the serial version but the feature runs pretty fast, although you're left with a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense due to all the editing that was done. Sometimes these feature versions can be good but this isn't one of them. Another bad thing is the performance from Lugosi who really sleepwalks through his role. Had he gone over the top then that would have made the film somewhat better.

In this ultra-condensed, 71 minute version of the original 15-part, 440 minute (!) serial, Bela Lugosi plays the maniacal Eurasian mastermind, Victor Poten, who plots to destroy both European and Asian people in Chinatown.

Astonishingly, even after being cut down by 80%, SHADOW OF CHINATOWN is a real chore to watch. Lugosi is his old, reliable self, but there's just not enough plot or action to keep things interesting.

There are other serials starring Lugosi (THE PHANTOM CREEPS, WHISPERING SHADOW) that are far superior to this...