Warner Oland's sixth appearance in the role and really the first one that most of us will be able to see due to losses of earlier films. This is a mystery but not a who-done-it. You simply cannot know who really killed Captain Hamilton unless you guess. Chan knows more than the audience and not all clues are revealed during the story. If you know that about the Chan mysteries (and who does not?) then this is an enjoyable entry in the series with a good supporting cast. More than one dead body, the obligatory assault on Chan himself, misleading clues, and the ever-present reminder that time is passing keep the action flowing. Chan focuses on uncovering the motive for the original murder seeking truth rather than disproving lies. He uses the French method of reconstructing the crime. Alan Mowbray is excellent as Geoffrey Richmond and Ray Milland does well in a very small part as fiancé to the sister of the wrongfully imprisoned man. Social inequality and fear of the foreigner are representative of the times and might raise an eyebrow today. All is revealed in the end and Chan declares, `Case now complete.' Recommended.
Review of Charlie Chan in London
