In the tenth Charlie Chan movie, Warner Oland is in the City of Lights to investigate some forged bonds from Henry Kolker's bank. Mary Brian, Kolker's daughter, is engaged but being blackmailed by John Miljan for old love letters. When she goes to his apartment to get the letters, Miljan is sot, then the gun is thrown into the room. Miss Brian picks it up, so now she is in jail for the murder.
It's the first movie in the series in which Keye Luke appears, and he is actually helpful to Oland in his investigations. The scene where he turns up is nicely handled, with both warmth and respect.
Although handled with the care that Fox's sure money-maker deserves, there are some issues, possibly caused by the replacement of the director in mid-shoot. Oland has to give a long-winded explanation of what went on to wrap up the mystery, which was not that difficult to do. There's a lot of mugging by the performers. Still, it is pleasant to see Oland actually doing some moving around and with a gun in his hand. Although not the best of the series, it's still an entertaining entry, with a cast that includes Minor Watson, John Qualen, and Dorothy Appleby in a rousing Apache dance.
It's the first movie in the series in which Keye Luke appears, and he is actually helpful to Oland in his investigations. The scene where he turns up is nicely handled, with both warmth and respect.
Although handled with the care that Fox's sure money-maker deserves, there are some issues, possibly caused by the replacement of the director in mid-shoot. Oland has to give a long-winded explanation of what went on to wrap up the mystery, which was not that difficult to do. There's a lot of mugging by the performers. Still, it is pleasant to see Oland actually doing some moving around and with a gun in his hand. Although not the best of the series, it's still an entertaining entry, with a cast that includes Minor Watson, John Qualen, and Dorothy Appleby in a rousing Apache dance.