Sky Dragon (1949)

Director: LESLEY SELANDER. Screenplay: Oliver Drake, Clint Johnston. Story: Clint Johnson. Based on the character, "Charlie Chan", created by Earl Derr Biggers. Photography: William Sickner. Supervising film editor: Otho Lovering. Film editor: Roy Livingston. Art director: David Milton. Set decorator: Raymond Boltz, junior. Make-up: Web Overlander. Special effects: Ray Mercer. Production manager: Allen K. Wood. Music director: Edward J. Kay. Assistant director: Wesley Barry. Sound recording: Tom Lambert. Producer: James S. Burkett. Copyright 1 May 1949 by Monogram Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 1 May 1949. U.K. release through Associated British-Pathé: 24 September 1949. Australian release: 8 December 1949. 6,129 feet. 68 minutes. Alternative title: Charlie Chan and the Sky Dragon.SYNOPSIS: All the passengers and the crew of an airliner on which Charlie Chan is travelling, are drugged. The plane continues its journey on automatic pilot. When the great detective awakes, it transpires that the sum of $250,000 is missing. NOTES: 47th and last entry in the Charlie Chan series, and the 17th of the Monogram films. COMMENT: The last of the Charlie Chans boasts a reasonably impressive cast, a moderately intriguing mystery, competent enough direction and an extremely modest budget. Everyone agrees that this is not one of the better films, but all the same, it's a pity the series finished off just as Roland Winters was finally getting into stride.

This is it for Chan (at least for the three actors that did the B-movie thing). It involves a plot that has been done any times since. That of a murder on board an airplane. We have a finite set of suspects. There is some history among the passengers. There is a large sum of money involved. And, Charlie and Lee (Number One Son) are on board. We have been told that Lee has been trained as a pilot for several episodes, so there is no big deal when assumes control of the plane. This has a nice cast of very recognizable actors. Noel Neill who was Lois Lane in "The Adventures of Superman" and Milburne Stone from "Gunsmoke." I also remember a show called "The People's Choice," which starred a heavy set guy who played the Mayor. There is no way to keep these people on that plane and they are allowed to leave. Of course, murders are committed and lots of drama ensues. For the final time, a light is turned out and a man is assaulted by an intruder.. How many times!!! This is the most entertaining of the Roland Winters films. I'm puzzled at the great disdain held for him. The earlier Chan movies weren't really all that great anyway. Having Caucasian men play a Chinese detective creates problems from the start. I guess there is a charm in seeing these actors do their thing for very little money. We could criticize till the cows come home, but these weren't ever works of art.

Spoilers herein.Yes, this stuff is racist, and poorly produced to boot. But originally, the idea was to annotate the game of detection - that strategic movement between writer and reader - with Chinese sayings. Those were really pretty apt, both so far as the mystery and the denoting of wisdom. In the hands of a good writer, it was innovative and useful. In the hands of a hack, its Saturday morning skit quality.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

The last Chan film made by Monogram and Roland Winters is a sad final bow for the great detective and great film series. The supporting cast is good for a Monogram picture. The best thing about it is that Keye Luke is back as Lee Chan. Great title. Poor picture! Sorry Charlie!