I've been a Charlie Chan fan since the early 70s when, as a 9 year old, I can remember watching the movies on the Late Show. While I can find something to enjoy in every one of these films, Charlie Chan in London is one of my favorites of the series. In this one, Chan is in a race against time as he's only got three days to save the life of a man wrongly accused of murder. It's got everything a Chan fan could ask for - an interesting mystery, a boatload of suspects, actually good comic relief, nice production values, and, of course, Warner Oland. By the time Charlie Chan in London was made, Oland seems to have hit his stride playing the title role. He's confident, polite, and brilliant - all the personality traits I've always associated with Chan. The supporting cast is as good in this one as you'll find in any of the Chan films. Ray Milland may be the most recognizable name, but it's the performances of Alan Mowbray and the incredible, scene-stealing E.E. Clive that really standout. The mystery at the center of the plot is well thought and the clues lead to a logical conclusion. Charlie Chan in London is a good one to play along with. It doesn't "cheat" as much with the reveal as some of the other Chan films.
47 Reviews
Charlie Chan After The Fox
Spondonman17 February 2008
Chronologically it's the 2nd Chan film extant after Black Camel, 4 others remain lost - Charlie is either getting into his stride in this or had already done so previously! The formula was in place, all they had to do from now on was reprise it with variations a couple of times a year. Whenever on TV in the past it always appeared murky to me but the copy I've just seen was pristine, with an astonishingly clear soundtrack.
Paul Gray is incarcerated in Pentonville for murder but in a few days time is to hang his sister believes him innocent, and apparently so does Charlie as he postpones his voyage to Honolulu to help them out. When arriving at the country house in Retfordshire where the deed was done he finds himself up against a wall of suspicious British stereotypes, ranging from Cockney idiots and brusque snobs to out and out racists, which of course he continually uses to his advantage in his unravelling of the case. And he unravels it perfectly, with a plethora of marvellous aphorisms and red herrings, but as so often had to happen also with a fool-the-murderer-into-finally-exposing-him/herself denouement.
Swedish Warner Oland gave a wonderfully urbane performance as usual as the Chinese detective. Sadly as time goes on it's shown less and less on TV, partly because the schedulers who may not want to offend Chinese sensibilities also prefer to show violent and deviant films to the public instead, and partly because the public want it that way too. Hunt a copy down and revel in it!
Paul Gray is incarcerated in Pentonville for murder but in a few days time is to hang his sister believes him innocent, and apparently so does Charlie as he postpones his voyage to Honolulu to help them out. When arriving at the country house in Retfordshire where the deed was done he finds himself up against a wall of suspicious British stereotypes, ranging from Cockney idiots and brusque snobs to out and out racists, which of course he continually uses to his advantage in his unravelling of the case. And he unravels it perfectly, with a plethora of marvellous aphorisms and red herrings, but as so often had to happen also with a fool-the-murderer-into-finally-exposing-him/herself denouement.
Swedish Warner Oland gave a wonderfully urbane performance as usual as the Chinese detective. Sadly as time goes on it's shown less and less on TV, partly because the schedulers who may not want to offend Chinese sensibilities also prefer to show violent and deviant films to the public instead, and partly because the public want it that way too. Hunt a copy down and revel in it!
After the Fox...Who Is the Fox?
BaronBl00d31 December 2004
Paul Gray is going to die for a murder he has been sentenced for. Only one person believes he is innocent - his sister. His sister enlists the aid of honorable Honolulan detective Charlie Chan, who just happens to be in London for a brief stay. Chan is convinced to help the young lady secure her brother's freedom. This is a fine, creaky mystery with Warner Oland in top form as #1 detective Charlie Chan. The cast has several names in it with a very young Ray Milland as sister's boyfriend standing out the most. Veteran Character actor E. E. Clive gives a nice hammy performance as a police inspector unable to call Charlie Chan but rather Chang. Alan Mowbray also adds his distinguished persona to the mix. The mystery has a lot of red herrings, but I figured it out based on who had no herrings aimed at him/her. See if that helps you. Quite enjoyable!
Under the gun
bkoganbing16 April 2013
Warner Oland may work best under pressure as Charlie Chan In London shows. About to leave London he is moved by the pleas of Drue Leyton who is trying to save her brother Douglas Walton from the hangman. She has used her appeal up with the Home Secretary David Torrence and even Ray Milland, Walton's lawyer says he thinks his client probably did it. But apparently Charlie Chan is moved by a woman in distress.
The murder was of an RAF officer and it took place in the stables of Alan Mowbray's estate during fox hunting season. Oland who is without the assistance of any of his kids, starts turning up clues and another murder of the groom Perry Ivins and an attempt is made against Mona Barrie and twice on Oland himself.
To say Charlie Chan was under the gun in this film was putting it mildly. He has about 65 hours to find the real killer. Do you doubt he will succeed.
The original motive if Walton were the killer is said to be personal, but it turns out to have far reaching implications when the real killer is apprehended.
Charlie Chan In London is one of the best of Oland Charlie Chan films and holds up nicely today.
The murder was of an RAF officer and it took place in the stables of Alan Mowbray's estate during fox hunting season. Oland who is without the assistance of any of his kids, starts turning up clues and another murder of the groom Perry Ivins and an attempt is made against Mona Barrie and twice on Oland himself.
To say Charlie Chan was under the gun in this film was putting it mildly. He has about 65 hours to find the real killer. Do you doubt he will succeed.
The original motive if Walton were the killer is said to be personal, but it turns out to have far reaching implications when the real killer is apprehended.
Charlie Chan In London is one of the best of Oland Charlie Chan films and holds up nicely today.
Charlie Chan tries to save a condemned man
AlsExGal17 February 2023
Chan is in London returning a suspect he has captured to British authorities when he receives an appeal from Pamela Gray concerning her brother Hugh, who has been condemned to hang in three days for a murder she believes he did not commit. Chan takes the case and goes to the estate of Geoffrey Richmond (Alan Mowbrey), where the murder was committed. People at the estate say that Hugh and the victim, who never liked one another, were heard arguing about some unknown issue, and then later the body of the victim was found near the stables and Hugh was found walking from the stables towards the house. Does Charlie Chan solve the case? Of course he does! What a downer if he did not!
On top of the usual red herrings tossed into such detective films - the one person sneaking around menacingly, another protesting too loudly about the entire follow up investigation being a waste of time and so on, the maid is a piece of work. She's a shrieker plus she likes to hover over people even when they make it clear they want to be left alone. This film would have been more enjoyable without the barbaric practice of fox hunting being central to the plot, but then hindsight is 20/20.
The tension of the time ticking down to Hugh's execution is an added boost, and then there is a very young Ray Milland in a supporting role and E. E. Clive as a befuddled police inspector. And you have to wonder why law enforcement didn't ask the same basic questions that Chan asks during his investigation. Recommended.
On top of the usual red herrings tossed into such detective films - the one person sneaking around menacingly, another protesting too loudly about the entire follow up investigation being a waste of time and so on, the maid is a piece of work. She's a shrieker plus she likes to hover over people even when they make it clear they want to be left alone. This film would have been more enjoyable without the barbaric practice of fox hunting being central to the plot, but then hindsight is 20/20.
The tension of the time ticking down to Hugh's execution is an added boost, and then there is a very young Ray Milland in a supporting role and E. E. Clive as a befuddled police inspector. And you have to wonder why law enforcement didn't ask the same basic questions that Chan asks during his investigation. Recommended.
Solidly Establishes The Series
gftbiloxi3 April 2005
Of the first four Chan films in the Fox series, Charlie Chan Carries On (1931), Charlie Chan's Chance (1932), and Charlie Chan's Greatest Case (1933) have been lost; only the 1931 THE BLACK CAMEL remains to show the series in its early developmental stage. By the time of CHARLIE CHAN IN London the series has reached the standards that made it so widely beloved, a neat mixture of comedy and mystery, good production values, and solid acting.
As is typical of the Chan series, the cast is first rate, offering an early glimpse of future Oscar-winner Ray Milland as well as a memorable performance by character actor E.E. Clive, who graced such films of the era as THE INVISIBLE MAN and DRACULA'S DAUGHTER. In this episode, Chan has traveled to England to bring a criminal captured in Hawaii to British justice--and is on the point of departure when he asked to intervene in a notorious murder case. With a man already convicted, Chan has but sixty-some hours to unmask the real killer before the wrongly convicted Paul Gray (Douglas Walton) is sent to his death.
In some respects the film shows its era: it is very distinctly of the early sound period, and the camera is static and the performances often broad. But it captures all the essential elements of the Chan series as it starred Warner Oland, and (like THE BLACK CAMEL before it) it very specifically sets up Chan to use the racist attitudes of others to crime-solving effect. Warner Oland's Chan, and to a lesser extent Sidney Toler's Chan, would often encourage others to dismiss him as a "stupid Chinaman" all the better to trick the killer into carelessness--and the plot device is particularly apparent in the earliest Chan films.
While CHARLIE CHAN IN London will never make a critic's short list of great films, it is quite a bit of fun, and Chan fans will enjoy it. Unfortunately, the film is not available on either VHS or DVD in the United States, and since it is considered "politically incorrect" it is rarely broadcast; Chan fans will have a hard time tracking it down.
Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer
As is typical of the Chan series, the cast is first rate, offering an early glimpse of future Oscar-winner Ray Milland as well as a memorable performance by character actor E.E. Clive, who graced such films of the era as THE INVISIBLE MAN and DRACULA'S DAUGHTER. In this episode, Chan has traveled to England to bring a criminal captured in Hawaii to British justice--and is on the point of departure when he asked to intervene in a notorious murder case. With a man already convicted, Chan has but sixty-some hours to unmask the real killer before the wrongly convicted Paul Gray (Douglas Walton) is sent to his death.
In some respects the film shows its era: it is very distinctly of the early sound period, and the camera is static and the performances often broad. But it captures all the essential elements of the Chan series as it starred Warner Oland, and (like THE BLACK CAMEL before it) it very specifically sets up Chan to use the racist attitudes of others to crime-solving effect. Warner Oland's Chan, and to a lesser extent Sidney Toler's Chan, would often encourage others to dismiss him as a "stupid Chinaman" all the better to trick the killer into carelessness--and the plot device is particularly apparent in the earliest Chan films.
While CHARLIE CHAN IN London will never make a critic's short list of great films, it is quite a bit of fun, and Chan fans will enjoy it. Unfortunately, the film is not available on either VHS or DVD in the United States, and since it is considered "politically incorrect" it is rarely broadcast; Chan fans will have a hard time tracking it down.
Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer
No London fog here....
pbalos2 July 2000
"Contradiction please." Warner Oland is clearly at the top of his game here as he attempts to save an innocent man from the gallows with only hours to spare.Truly one of the better films in this series with the Swedish actor.He is surrounded by a unique cast of English characters.There are a couple of amusing moments with Chan climbing through a window and crawling from beneath a desk in what otherwise is a serious "whodunit." Really well done and a must for a Chan fan.
another really good mystery
monsterlover587 January 2004
Charlie Chan In London Is the second oldest surviving film with Warner Oland in the role and is very entertaining. The story moves along at a pretty fast pace for this era in films. A young man is accused,and convicted of murder. He,s only days from execution when by chance his sister{portrayed by Drue Leyton} encounters Chan and convinces him to try and clear her brother. Charlie then begins a brisk investigation into the crime,which brings him to a country estate..there he is faced with the harrowing task of trying to
identify the real killer. With only about 48 hours to complete his investigation, Charlie moves quickly and eliminates several suspects... As he brings the case to a close..It is very surprising to find out the identity of the actual murderer..This is a film well worth
watching if you can get a copy..It,s never been released commercially. Also appearing in this entry are Alan Mowbray and Ray Milland, both give excellent performances...also included in the cast is E.E.Clive another great character actor of this era.
identify the real killer. With only about 48 hours to complete his investigation, Charlie moves quickly and eliminates several suspects... As he brings the case to a close..It is very surprising to find out the identity of the actual murderer..This is a film well worth
watching if you can get a copy..It,s never been released commercially. Also appearing in this entry are Alan Mowbray and Ray Milland, both give excellent performances...also included in the cast is E.E.Clive another great character actor of this era.
Great restoration....
Vogonavich22 January 2011
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.
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.
A Great Mystery
ebootsysgirl29 August 2005
This movie set in London has some great actors including Alan Mowbray whom I had first seen in Abbott and Costello Meets The Killer Boris Karloff and I love the way he plays very posh characters. In this outing, Charlie had already brought a criminal to justice when he is asked to take on the murder case of Paul Grey by Paul's sister Pamela. One of my favorite characters was Bunny Fothergill. Charlie reenacts the crime with the help of E.E. Clive and Ray Milland and there was tense moments because Charlie had to find the real murderer within 65 hours or if not, Paul Grey would be executed. The solving of the murder by a person whom you would least expect added more mystery plus some persons that were at the country estate were not whom they say they were. This is definitely a must see!!!!
Satisfying!
jan-60318 August 2010
"Charlie Chan in London" is the first Chan film I've seen and I'm very impressed.
This movie should be studied in film classes because it's so nicely paced and well edited. There isn't one wasted scene or extraneous action - every step of the plot happens at just the right moment, making the film a very satisfying experience. Add Warner Oland's wonderful depiction of Chan (even so early in the series), an intriguing story, the fun of seeing a young Ray Milland, and the great architecture, clothing, and cars of the period, and you have one fine film.
Enjoy!
This movie should be studied in film classes because it's so nicely paced and well edited. There isn't one wasted scene or extraneous action - every step of the plot happens at just the right moment, making the film a very satisfying experience. Add Warner Oland's wonderful depiction of Chan (even so early in the series), an intriguing story, the fun of seeing a young Ray Milland, and the great architecture, clothing, and cars of the period, and you have one fine film.
Enjoy!
Famed Honolulu detective put to work in London.
michaelRokeefe7 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
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.
Good Murder Mystery
GManfred24 September 2013
Really enjoy a well-done murder mystery, and this was a good one. And I always thought Warner Oland was the best Charlie Chan - even though he was Swedish. Lots of reviewers recap the plot so there's no need to rehash, but the plot here is intricate and it's not easy to pick out the murderer.
This film in particular of the Chan series has a lot of dialogue and it pays off to pay attention as the story unfolds. That way you won't get fooled by a red herring, as I did. This picture is pretty old, so old that many in the supporting cast are unknown to modern audiences, except perhaps Alan Mowbray and a very young Ray Milland. The female lead was Drue Leyton, whom I am not familiar with but was very good and convincing in all her scenes. For some reason she made only 10 films, the last in 1939.
This is also the last CC movie made without a number 1 son. Key Luke does not appear until the next picture, "Charlie Chan In Paris (1935). "Charlie Chan In London" is a good, solid whodunit of the type no longer made in Hollywood, or anywhere else for that matter.
This film in particular of the Chan series has a lot of dialogue and it pays off to pay attention as the story unfolds. That way you won't get fooled by a red herring, as I did. This picture is pretty old, so old that many in the supporting cast are unknown to modern audiences, except perhaps Alan Mowbray and a very young Ray Milland. The female lead was Drue Leyton, whom I am not familiar with but was very good and convincing in all her scenes. For some reason she made only 10 films, the last in 1939.
This is also the last CC movie made without a number 1 son. Key Luke does not appear until the next picture, "Charlie Chan In Paris (1935). "Charlie Chan In London" is a good, solid whodunit of the type no longer made in Hollywood, or anywhere else for that matter.
London Fog Like Shy Girl. Hide Everything.
rmax30482316 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I found this to be one of the duller of the entries in the Chan series, though there are many I haven't seen yet.
First of all, there is Charlie Chan himself, Warner Oland, with his pinched English, fake epicanthic folds, and slouching figure. He doesn't even get to wear a Panama hat in this one. I wish he had something more going for him, like Sherlock Holmes' ability to read what Charles Sanders Peirce called an "index" -- the residue left by history on an object or a kind of behavior. Holmes could glance at somebody's tattoo and say something like, "That particular shade of pink is used only on Hotel Street," or tell from a man's walk that he was a retired sergeant of Marines. Can Charlie Chan do any of that? No. No, he can't. He can't do anything but shuffle around. If you're going to be limited to shuffling around and piping up with inscrutable proverbs, Sidney Toler did it better.
There is a notable absence here of Chan's usual sidekicks -- either an Enumerated Son or a frightened African-American or both. They might have folded a lighter element into this plot.
And the plot is pretty dreary. An innocent man is to be hanged for a murder and Charlie Chan has some sixty-five hours to visit the estate where the crime took place, interview the half-dozen suspects, and come up with the identity of the real criminal. There follows an additional murder and an attempt on Chan's life. Otherwise this is nothing more than a B murder mystery that might keep children entertained. No reflection on fans of Chan, but I think that was the audience they had in mind. If adults find this enjoyable, that's fine. Humble reviewer make no value judgment on adult viewer discernment.
Among the recognizable faces in the cast are those of Alan Mowbray and Ray Milland. Milland is hardly recognizable. I think he was actually to grow more handsome over the next five or ten years.
First of all, there is Charlie Chan himself, Warner Oland, with his pinched English, fake epicanthic folds, and slouching figure. He doesn't even get to wear a Panama hat in this one. I wish he had something more going for him, like Sherlock Holmes' ability to read what Charles Sanders Peirce called an "index" -- the residue left by history on an object or a kind of behavior. Holmes could glance at somebody's tattoo and say something like, "That particular shade of pink is used only on Hotel Street," or tell from a man's walk that he was a retired sergeant of Marines. Can Charlie Chan do any of that? No. No, he can't. He can't do anything but shuffle around. If you're going to be limited to shuffling around and piping up with inscrutable proverbs, Sidney Toler did it better.
There is a notable absence here of Chan's usual sidekicks -- either an Enumerated Son or a frightened African-American or both. They might have folded a lighter element into this plot.
And the plot is pretty dreary. An innocent man is to be hanged for a murder and Charlie Chan has some sixty-five hours to visit the estate where the crime took place, interview the half-dozen suspects, and come up with the identity of the real criminal. There follows an additional murder and an attempt on Chan's life. Otherwise this is nothing more than a B murder mystery that might keep children entertained. No reflection on fans of Chan, but I think that was the audience they had in mind. If adults find this enjoyable, that's fine. Humble reviewer make no value judgment on adult viewer discernment.
Among the recognizable faces in the cast are those of Alan Mowbray and Ray Milland. Milland is hardly recognizable. I think he was actually to grow more handsome over the next five or ten years.
Sixty-five hours to find the real murderer
Jim Tritten10 May 2002
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.
Pretty good. Chan and a fox hunt. Works for me.
gazzo-29 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I had fun with this. Like 'Chan in Egypt' and '..in Paris', it's early sound, it's creaky, it's filled w/ some over-acting(dig the scared blonde limey maid), it's slow.
It's also interesting, centered around a involving, well-plotted mystery, and of course, one of the great characters of the thirties-Charlie Chan. This time he's in London to try and save a man on death row, he has 3 days to beat the hangman's noose. He does, but barely.
I enjoyed watching Oland work. I have no problem w/ him as the Chinese detective, though he is quite obviously Swedish. (As a fan of Charles Bronson, I know-you can see Chuck playing scads of Apaches or Mexicans in his earlier movies. He was Lithuanian. I don't see the difference, to be honest-if it's okay for Bunchinsky to play Apache Warrior #2, it's okay for Oland to play Chan, you know?) The bad guy you won't spot that early on, either. I thought that the suspense was well handled, heck they even trot out the red-herring 'Butler did it' routine, the gathering all the likely suspects into one room, etc etc. Hits all of those clichés head on. And knows what to do with them, too.
Do check this out if you are a fan of the series, or mysteries from the era.
*** outta ****
It's also interesting, centered around a involving, well-plotted mystery, and of course, one of the great characters of the thirties-Charlie Chan. This time he's in London to try and save a man on death row, he has 3 days to beat the hangman's noose. He does, but barely.
I enjoyed watching Oland work. I have no problem w/ him as the Chinese detective, though he is quite obviously Swedish. (As a fan of Charles Bronson, I know-you can see Chuck playing scads of Apaches or Mexicans in his earlier movies. He was Lithuanian. I don't see the difference, to be honest-if it's okay for Bunchinsky to play Apache Warrior #2, it's okay for Oland to play Chan, you know?) The bad guy you won't spot that early on, either. I thought that the suspense was well handled, heck they even trot out the red-herring 'Butler did it' routine, the gathering all the likely suspects into one room, etc etc. Hits all of those clichés head on. And knows what to do with them, too.
Do check this out if you are a fan of the series, or mysteries from the era.
*** outta ****
CHARLIE CHAN IN London (Eugene Forde, 1934) ***
Bunuel19765 May 2006
I had watched CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA (1936), considered the best of the series, sometime ago on Italian TV - mainly due to the involvement of Boris Karloff, but which I enjoyed a great deal. Last year I managed to get 5 other titles in the long-running series and did get to watch BEHIND THAT CURTAIN (1929) which, incidentally, also featured Karloff in a minor role. I next tried THE BLACK CAMEL (1931) - co-starring another great horror star, Bela Lugosi - but, unfortunately, the disc froze permanently around the 50-minute mark and, consequently, I never bothered with the rest of the films on the disc! However, my interest rose again after the upcoming Fox DVD (containing some of these very titles) was announced...
This is a very enjoyable entry in the series with Warner Oland the quintessential Charlie Chan, delivering a plethora of his trademark witticisms. Though we've seen many a murder mystery with this setting, the plot twists still come off as fresh and quite unpredictable - and the limited time-frame in which it all happens (and around which hangs, no pun intended, the life of Douglas Walton, a convict awaiting execution) makes for a genuinely suspenseful little thriller. The film also features a vivid - and thankfully not too stereotyped - recreation of the aristocratic British way of life, a surprising villain, and an early role for Ray Milland (whose character functions more or less as a red herring).
This is a very enjoyable entry in the series with Warner Oland the quintessential Charlie Chan, delivering a plethora of his trademark witticisms. Though we've seen many a murder mystery with this setting, the plot twists still come off as fresh and quite unpredictable - and the limited time-frame in which it all happens (and around which hangs, no pun intended, the life of Douglas Walton, a convict awaiting execution) makes for a genuinely suspenseful little thriller. The film also features a vivid - and thankfully not too stereotyped - recreation of the aristocratic British way of life, a surprising villain, and an early role for Ray Milland (whose character functions more or less as a red herring).
"Thoughts are like noble animal, unchecked they run away causing painful smashup."
classicsoncall19 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Having just completed a successful investigation for the British Government, Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) finds himself confronted by a frantic Pamela Gray (Drue Leyton) who urges him to help clear her brother of murder. Paul Gray's only appeal has been rejected, and he faces execution in three days if his sister fails to convince Chan to take the case. Adding to Chan's concern is the belief of Paul Gray's attorney Neil Howard (Ray Milland) that Gray is guilty, and that does not bode well for his relationship with Pamela, to whom he is engaged to be married.
Paul Gray's alleged victim was Air Force Captain Hamilton, the hunt secretary for Geoff Richmond, and a weekend guest at the Richmond summer estate in Retfordshire; the victim's body was found in the stable. Chan makes his entrance in rather uncommon fashion, climbing through the window of Pamela Gray's guest room at the Richmond home, having been rebuffed by a suspicious butler when he came calling in the normal manner. Practically crashing a Richmond dinner party in progress, Chan gathers all the party members who had testified at the original Gray trial. Two of the dinner guests relate how they heard Hamilton and Gray quarrel strongly on the evening of the murder. Some time later, Gray was seen walking from the direction of the stable where the victim was found. With time a factor, the detective intends to recreate the crime - "No time to expose lies, must expose truth."
Upon first entering the stable, a horse reacts quite violently until calmed by the stable groom named Lake. This curious fact was never mentioned at the trial, and is the first real clue Chan has to work with - no one heard any commotion from the stable on the evening of the murder, suggesting that the horse was familiar with the murderer. This casts some suspicion on Lake, until Lake himself is found dead in what appears to be a suicide. However Chan convinces the local constable Sergeant Thacker that a bullet in the forehead would not have been possible unless fired with a thumb. Lake's dead hand held a pistol, but with his right index finger on the trigger.
Another curious fact not brought up at the trial was Hamilton's penchant for inventing gadgets. Chan learned of this by interviewing a major of the Royal Air Force at the Farnwell Aerodrome. It seems Hamilton had a scheme for silencing warplanes, those plans having been stolen by the murderer. With a motive now firmly established, Chan is convinced that the plans are at the Richmond home, and cleverly engages Geoffrey Richmond's help in searching his study. Alone with Chan, Richmond sees an opening to remove the detective from the scene, as he is now perilously close to revealing the real murderer. Not to be outdone, Chan had already prepared to expose Richmond, with the local police stationed outside the study to make their apprehension at the appropriate time.
As far as Charlie Chan mysteries go, "In London" is one of the better ones. With Warner Oland in his second outing as the Chinese detective, it's a cleverly told story, revealing clues in a well thought out manner and leading the viewer down a number of different paths before the murderer is finally revealed. The formidable list of suspects included the new hunt secretary Jardine, the previously mentioned stable groom, and suspicious butler Phillips (revealed to be Captain Seton, a military intelligence plant in the Richmond home), along with Paul Gray himself. Repeated references to the number of hours left before Gray is to be executed adds to the suspense, with Gray contemplating his gruesome fate with only four hours to go before the case is finally solved.
It was the very next Charlie Chan film that introduced other members of the Chan family to the screen. "Charlie Chan in Paris" brings Keye Luke aboard as Number #1 Son Lee. In an interesting scene from "London", Charlie Chan warmly looks at a picture of his family in the hotel room he occupies; the family count in the picture shows eleven offspring, with an additional single baby picture that could be number twelve. The very early Chan films establish a strong continuity, and the growing family size is referred to often. It's these little nuances that make the Chan series of films as interesting for me as the mysteries they tell.
Paul Gray's alleged victim was Air Force Captain Hamilton, the hunt secretary for Geoff Richmond, and a weekend guest at the Richmond summer estate in Retfordshire; the victim's body was found in the stable. Chan makes his entrance in rather uncommon fashion, climbing through the window of Pamela Gray's guest room at the Richmond home, having been rebuffed by a suspicious butler when he came calling in the normal manner. Practically crashing a Richmond dinner party in progress, Chan gathers all the party members who had testified at the original Gray trial. Two of the dinner guests relate how they heard Hamilton and Gray quarrel strongly on the evening of the murder. Some time later, Gray was seen walking from the direction of the stable where the victim was found. With time a factor, the detective intends to recreate the crime - "No time to expose lies, must expose truth."
Upon first entering the stable, a horse reacts quite violently until calmed by the stable groom named Lake. This curious fact was never mentioned at the trial, and is the first real clue Chan has to work with - no one heard any commotion from the stable on the evening of the murder, suggesting that the horse was familiar with the murderer. This casts some suspicion on Lake, until Lake himself is found dead in what appears to be a suicide. However Chan convinces the local constable Sergeant Thacker that a bullet in the forehead would not have been possible unless fired with a thumb. Lake's dead hand held a pistol, but with his right index finger on the trigger.
Another curious fact not brought up at the trial was Hamilton's penchant for inventing gadgets. Chan learned of this by interviewing a major of the Royal Air Force at the Farnwell Aerodrome. It seems Hamilton had a scheme for silencing warplanes, those plans having been stolen by the murderer. With a motive now firmly established, Chan is convinced that the plans are at the Richmond home, and cleverly engages Geoffrey Richmond's help in searching his study. Alone with Chan, Richmond sees an opening to remove the detective from the scene, as he is now perilously close to revealing the real murderer. Not to be outdone, Chan had already prepared to expose Richmond, with the local police stationed outside the study to make their apprehension at the appropriate time.
As far as Charlie Chan mysteries go, "In London" is one of the better ones. With Warner Oland in his second outing as the Chinese detective, it's a cleverly told story, revealing clues in a well thought out manner and leading the viewer down a number of different paths before the murderer is finally revealed. The formidable list of suspects included the new hunt secretary Jardine, the previously mentioned stable groom, and suspicious butler Phillips (revealed to be Captain Seton, a military intelligence plant in the Richmond home), along with Paul Gray himself. Repeated references to the number of hours left before Gray is to be executed adds to the suspense, with Gray contemplating his gruesome fate with only four hours to go before the case is finally solved.
It was the very next Charlie Chan film that introduced other members of the Chan family to the screen. "Charlie Chan in Paris" brings Keye Luke aboard as Number #1 Son Lee. In an interesting scene from "London", Charlie Chan warmly looks at a picture of his family in the hotel room he occupies; the family count in the picture shows eleven offspring, with an additional single baby picture that could be number twelve. The very early Chan films establish a strong continuity, and the growing family size is referred to often. It's these little nuances that make the Chan series of films as interesting for me as the mysteries they tell.
early Chan
blanche-218 December 2012
Warner Oland is "Charlie Chan in London" in this 1934 film and, as others have pointed out, this is a very good entry into the series.
Chan is about to leave London after working for the government when a young woman, Pamela Gray (Drue Layton) begs for his help in saving her brother (Douglas Walton) from being hanged for a murder he didn't commit. And there are only about 2-1/2 days left before his execution. It's a troubling case, due to the evidence and the fact that Pamela's fiancée (Ray Milland, very young) doesn't believe in her brother's innocence.
Chan goes to the country home where the murder took place; after another murder (made to look like a suicide) he's sure that one of the people he's encountered is the true murderer.
Oland is in top form here, and the film boasts not only a fine cast of British actors (Alan Mowbray, E.E. Clive) but a great atmosphere. Though I'm more used to Sidney Toler for some reason (I was introduced to the Chan films in Boston, and apparently that's what was shown), Oland is very good in the role. Toler is an older, more sardonic Chan. Oland, crawling through windows and coming out from underneath a desk is definitely sprier! Very enjoyable.
Chan is about to leave London after working for the government when a young woman, Pamela Gray (Drue Layton) begs for his help in saving her brother (Douglas Walton) from being hanged for a murder he didn't commit. And there are only about 2-1/2 days left before his execution. It's a troubling case, due to the evidence and the fact that Pamela's fiancée (Ray Milland, very young) doesn't believe in her brother's innocence.
Chan goes to the country home where the murder took place; after another murder (made to look like a suicide) he's sure that one of the people he's encountered is the true murderer.
Oland is in top form here, and the film boasts not only a fine cast of British actors (Alan Mowbray, E.E. Clive) but a great atmosphere. Though I'm more used to Sidney Toler for some reason (I was introduced to the Chan films in Boston, and apparently that's what was shown), Oland is very good in the role. Toler is an older, more sardonic Chan. Oland, crawling through windows and coming out from underneath a desk is definitely sprier! Very enjoyable.
A superb detective story well told.
piccadillyjim-126 December 2006
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.
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.
Charlie Chan comes to England
chris_gaskin12310 May 2005
Charlie Chan In London is the movie than bought Charlie to London. This was recently released on VHS in the UK and I was pleased I purchased a copy.
A woman who's brother has been wrongly convicted for murder gets Charlie Chan to investigate this and try and find the real culprit. He only has 65 hours to do this in as her brother is facing execution. The case takes Chan to a mansion where he is nearly murdered himself. It is confirmed that the woman's brother is not the murderer when more killings take place and after gathering clues and reconstructing the crime, the real murderer is caught and her brother is saved.
Warner Oland plays Charlie Chan well and is joined by Ray Milland (The Man With X-Ray Eyes), Drue Leyton, Madge Bellamy (White Zombie) and Alan Mowbray.
If you like a good old mystery, I recommend this movie. Enjoyable.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
A woman who's brother has been wrongly convicted for murder gets Charlie Chan to investigate this and try and find the real culprit. He only has 65 hours to do this in as her brother is facing execution. The case takes Chan to a mansion where he is nearly murdered himself. It is confirmed that the woman's brother is not the murderer when more killings take place and after gathering clues and reconstructing the crime, the real murderer is caught and her brother is saved.
Warner Oland plays Charlie Chan well and is joined by Ray Milland (The Man With X-Ray Eyes), Drue Leyton, Madge Bellamy (White Zombie) and Alan Mowbray.
If you like a good old mystery, I recommend this movie. Enjoyable.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Wonderfully ancient
lousvr2 October 1999
charming old time detective movie
r-c-s8 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This won't go past 7/10 because of the overacting typical of many movies from the 1930s...people fainting, overdisplayed distress and other 'drama queen' tricks of the trade that do not appeal to me much. HOWEVER I really enjoyed this charming little movie, deprived of profanity, violence and nudity often associated with today's similar productions. Olund as Chan is very charming and inoffensive (or so he wants to look to fool suspects ): only 3 days to save an innocent from execution and many potential killers to choose from...hint by hint Chan turns what courts believed to be a 'crime of passion' into a case of industrial espionage (ingenious plot contrivance for those times ). Mona Barrie is the prettiest of the bunch and it's hard to believe she died in 1964. Barren the few 'drama queen' moments, acting is good and actors definitely help to support an interesting plot full of twists and intelligently argued. Too bad these silver screen movies are for the merely curious or the connoisseur these days.
One of the better films in the series
chasccox11 January 2004
I have seen all of the Charlie Chan films which FOX released in the talking era, i.e. with Warner Oland and Sidney Toler except "The Black Camel" which I have just ordered in VHS from Canada. It is my favorite Oland "Chan" and one of my favorite 2, the other being the Toler "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island". I understand that this film was thought lost for many years, but was recently rediscovered. Key Luke as number 1 son, Jimmy, is notably absent (I believe that he debuts in the next film, "Charlie Chan in Paris.") This film is better than the three other notable films, "Charlie Chan at the Opera", Charlie Chan on Broadway", and "Charlie Chan in Egypt" which are among the critics top choices.
This may or may not be a spoiler
Isabella Andolini20 January 2002
Warning: Spoilers
In Charlie Chan in London, Chan's son is missing. This was a terrible mistake. Chan is in serious need of #1 Son or #2 Son, or anyone, to provide much needed comic relief. Without such relief the film is all but unwatchable.
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