Charlie Chan in London (1934)

Charlie Chan in London (1934) *** (out of 4) Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) is about to leave London and return home when Pamela Gray (Drue Leyton) asks him to take a look at a case involving her brother who is sitting on death row and about to be hung in three days. Chan agrees to take the case when he stumbles on a bit of evidence that puts his own life at risk.CHARLIE CHAN IN London is yet another winner in the series from Fox who were clearly treating this series with the highest bit of respects and especially in regards to writers. This film certainly isn't a masterpiece but there are enough interesting plot points to keep the viewer interested and there's no doubt that we're also given a great supporting cast of characters to help Oland along.The best thing in the film is its screenplay, which has a pretty interesting mystery that keeps you guessing throughout. As you'd expect, there are several suspects that end up popping up but the film manages to make you guess one person one second and then another the next. The mystery really plays itself out in a very good manor and manages to make for a fun ride. Another plus is that director Eugene Forde helps keep the film moving at a very fast pace without any slow spots or moments where you just slip off not caring about what's going on.The performances are another major plus with Oland perfect as usual in the role of Chan. Everything from his line delivery to the way he walks is just perfectly nailed and there's never a single second where you believe you're watching an actor in a role. The supporting cast is also very good with strong support from Leyton as well as Alan Mowbray, Douglas Walton and Ray Milland. E.E. Clive plays a dimwitted Detective and the comedy is a tad bit too forced.CHARLIE CHAN IN London is the second earliest surviving Oland-Chan film and there's no doubt that it's a winner. While not quite as good as THE BLACK CAMEL, there's no question that it contained one of the best screenplays.

You have to understand that I love these mystery movies from the 30's and 40's, hence the 8/10. It's fun to just suspend disbelief and watch the films for what they are. Get a bowl of popcorn then sit down in your comfy place and let your mind go back to a time before all of the special effects and CGI, before political correctness, and enjoy the show. There are terrific gems to be found in these old films. If you are like me then pick up the DVD; you won't be sorry. "Charlie Chan in London" is a good'un. The digital restorations are excellent. Same ol' cheezy sound and dialogue centric script but without the audio and visual noise. The shakiness of the original is gone as well.Sure you can criticize some of the ham acting but I find the characters and the dialogue fascinating. Although IMHO Elsa Buchanan is wonderful as the distraught maid who is shocked by the evil oriental skulking about the place, others would likely be less kind.E.E. Clive as the more than a little thick Detective Sergeant Thacker is perfect, especially his uncorrected references to Charlie as "Mr. Chang".I didn't realize Ray Milland was in the movie till I heard his unmistakable voice. What a distance from portraying Luke Skywalker's father! While I'm on about it: the quality of the acting in "Charlie Chan in London" is not much different from "Star Wars Episode IV". ;->The "Charlie Chan" character and its portrayal by non-Chinese actors has come under some heavy, and valid, criticism for stereotyping and for washing over issues of racism. However, I think that such criticism should be noted and should not prevent enjoyment of these wonderful films. We (audiences) are not stupid; we can see plenty of evidence of paternalism, sexism, and racism in these movies. Eh, so what? The story and the script are a product of the time and are a window into the past. Not into real life directly, but the film is enlightening with respect to what was acceptable. Eighty years from now, I'm sure many current films will be condemned for all sorts of things that we take for granted now. Food for thought.For me, the controversy and obvious difference in cultural values from today just makes these films more interesting. Mr. Chan's quiet approach to life in general and to racism in particular speaks well of his character. We pay attention to what Chan says because he is always interesting and insightful. What may be interpreted as a stereotyped, obsequious and blandly inoffensive "chinaman", is really a thoughtful individual with obviously strong family values and who is so confident that he does not have to try to change all of the flaws in the world around him.He just has to solve the mystery and go back to his family.

Eugene J. Forde directs this Charlie Chan crime thriller. What seems to be too much evidence puts a young Englishman behind bars and with three days before being hanged, his sister and her fiancé convince the renown oriental detective Chan(Warner Oland)to find the real killer. Charlie works with a Scotland Yard counterpart Sgt. Thacker(E.E. Clive),who for some reason keeps referring to "Mr. Chang" throughout the movie. Kind hearted Chan overlooks this as real clues are mysterious and he himself is almost killed. Needless to say the weekend at a fabulous country estate is quite eventful. Supporting cast features: Drue Leyton, Ray Milland, Alan Mowbray, Mona Barrie, George Barraud and Douglas Walton.

CHARLIE CHAN IN London is a good example of a well-produced, lower budget "B" film from Fox studios in 1934. Three earlier films seem to be lost, so this is the first in the line-up that remains today. As such, it stars Warner Oland, Swedish by birth, as the Chinese detective, Charlie Chan. Today's film historians grant Oland much credit for creating the screen persona of Chan. This film lends support to their belief. Oland presents Chan as a detective who looks for even the smallest of clues in his search to find the killer. His euphemisms during the hunt are so engaging that they draw the viewer in even closer until, by the end of the film, one is convinced that Chan is without peer in his chosen profession.CHARLIE CHAN IN London also stars Drue Layton as the distraught woman who pleads with Chan to save her brother from execution for a murder she believes he never committed. Layton only made ten films in her entire career. She is well cast in this one.Ray Milland supplies the star quality as Layton's fiancée. Milland bear's that quality of sincerity that characterized him in later years.Not to be overlooked is that fine British actor, Alan Mowbray. Mowbray excelled at comedy and, in fact, became quite a favorite with audiences of the 30s and 40s. This is an example of his earlier work where he excelled in straight dramatic roles.The action takes place in a British mansion. Included in the goings-on is a fox hunt, an attempt on Charlie's life, and other events guaranteed to keep the audience guessing. Missing is Charlie Chan's number one son, Keye Luke. Luke makes his first appearance in the next production, CHARLIE CHAN IN Paris.Twentieth-Century Fox pulled these programs from their broadcast schedule because of the political pressure exerted by today's Asian-American actors in Hollywood who object to a non-Asian playing an Asian character. Accordingly, you will not find CHARLIE CHAN IN London, nor any other Chan film for that matter, on your television set. It's a shame, for this is an authentic piece of motion picture history. However, CHARLIE CHAN IN London can be purchased as a DVD release from Fox in the retail stores. This motion picture is well worth the purchase price.