An archaeologist, Dr. Benton(Charles Miller)returns from a camel caravan across Mongolia returning with a valuable ancient scroll. During his fact-finding lecture at Southern University, Benton collapses...he's dead. Key Luke(better known as Charlie Chan's number-one son)steps in for his predecessor Boris Karloff; Detective James Lee 'Jimmy' Wong at your service. He calls himself a researcher when San Francisco Police Captain Street(Grant Withers)at first considers him a suspect. The investigation has several people of interest like Win Len(Lotus Long),Benton's secretary;Dr. Wilkes(Huntley Gordon),Benton's partner and Charles Frasier(John Dilson),the expedition's photographer. The plot is very simple and very inexpensive to film; after all its a Monogram Pictures 62 minute mystery. A few twists and turns keeps the story moving at a nice pace. This is the sixth and final film based on stories by Hugh Wiley. Take note that out of all the Asian detective films(Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto and Mr. Wong), Key Luke is the first actual Asian to play the lead role. Also in the cast:Virginia Carpenter, John Holland and Lee Tung Foo.
Review of Phantom of Chinatown
Phantom of Chinatown
(1940)
Daggers, fingerprints, an ancient scroll...
26 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers