Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936) User Reviews

A better than usual plot helps this Charlie Chan film to be more than just a time-passer

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 25 May 2008]

This film begins with Chan in Honolulu giving a forensics lecture to policemen. However, Lee Chan (Charlie's "Number One Son") interrupts to announce that "the big race is about to begin and I've got a hot tip"--at which point all the cops turn on the radio and begin cheering. Oddly, the race is being held in Australia and I find it hard to believe the people in Hawaii would care THAT much! Later, when the horse is on its way to the West Coast of the US, the ship with the horse is met by Charlie Chan since the man who raised the horse has been killed and he was a friend of Chan. Although it appears that he was kicked to death by his prize horse, Charlie quickly deduces that it was murder! It seems that a gambling syndicate is heavily involved in murder and mayhem in an attempt to make a huge haul at an upcoming race and it's up to Charlie to unravel it all and make sure the guilty pay.

Compared to other Chan films, this one has a much better plot, though the plot has been used, in part, before. While complex, the plot is quite thrilling and does a lot to help the film. Additionally, the best of the Chan sidekicks, Number One Son ('Lee') is on hand to provide some comic relief and occasional assistance.

Excellent acting, pacing and plot--this one is a triple crown winner of a B-movie.

Game Horse with a great heart

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 17 May 2013]

The tragic story of Phar Lap the great Australian thoroughbred who was imported to the Northern Hemisphere and poisoned by gamblers seems to be the basis for this Charlie Chan film. It's a bit happier an ending for the horse Avalanche who is the focus of the investigation.

Which starts in Charlie Chan At The Racetrack in Melbourne where Avalanche has just won the Melbourne Cup as did Phar Lap. Despite threats from a gambling syndicate, owner George Irving is bringing him to America to race at Santa Anita. On the ship bringing Avalanche and his stablemate Gallant Lad to America, Irving is kicked to death by his horse when he visited him in his shipboard stall. When the ship docks in Honolulu Warner Oland goes on board along with son Keye Luke to investigate.

Oland establishes that the horse was not the guilty party pretty quickly, but the problem of the gamblers and whatever nefarious scheme they have in mind is still there. They've even got a backup plan which almost works when it is put into play. Let's say like the real life Phar Lap, Avalanche is a game horse with a great heart.

Charlie Chan At The Racetrack is one of the best of Charlie Chan features. Other than the patronizing stereotypical portrait of the black groom the film holds up well for today's audiences.

very good, with Keye Luke in excellent form

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 7 January 2014]

Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) and son Lee Chan (Keye Luke) become involved "At the Race Track," from 1936.

When a friend of Charlie's is murdered by his race horse on board ship, Charlie is asked to investigate when the ocean liner stops in Honolulu. Looking at the horse's stall, Charlie doubts the horse had anything to do with it -- this was a human's doing.

His investigation continues, and Charlie and Lee board ship and travel to Santa Anita raceway to continue their investigation. He soon discovers fraud and a nefarious gambling ring, and he has to ferret out a murderer.

This is a very lively and fun Charlie Chan, with Lee posing as an attendant on the ship to find the typewriter on which threatening notes were typed; and later, at a crucial point, he drives a Chinese laundry truck. Charlie, meanwhile, is shot in the leg and laid up for part of the film.

Some excellent racing footage and beautiful horses are also shown.

It's not perfect. A horse falls, and I absolutely hate seeing that. They would trip them with chicken wire, and it was quite cruel. The second and more egregious thing, particularly by today's standards but I think it might have been embarrassing even then, was the role of the black stable boy, done as a Stepinfetchit type character. Cringe-worthy. Frankly, I liked it much better when Mantan Moreland came on as Birmingham. First of all, he was hilarious, and secondly, he was treated as an equal. Yes, he had some scenes where he was supposedly afraid of his shadow, but it was better than what is in this film.

Oland is a warmer Chan than Sidney Toler, though both brought a great deal to the role. There is something a little less intimidating about Oland.

"Charlie Chan at the Race Track" is very enjoyable, somewhat reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes story "Silver Blaze" -- so that's probably why the story is so good.

"Innocent grass may conceal snake."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 20 February 2005]

When favored race horse Avalanche loses a race due to his rider's foul, his owner Major Gordon Kent becomes suspicious, believing that a gambling syndicate may have been behind the rider's actions. Kent calls upon famed detective Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) for his involvement, and it's off to the races so to speak. Unfortunately Kent, who has come too close to identifying the conspiracy, winds up dead in Avalanche's stable aboard ship heading for Los Angeles.

Number #1 Son Lee Chan (Keye Luke) signs on as a cabin boy for the cruise ship to legitimize his presence, and quickly joins his "Pop" in the investigation. Charlie relies on Lee a bit more than we've seen in prior films, trusting him to drop phony threatening letters to the principals introduced in the film, which include Kent's son in law George Chester, now Avalanche's owner; Warren Fenton, owner of rival horse Gallant Lad; and gambler Denny Barton.

When a fire in the hold of the ship is deliberately set to cause confusion, horse trainer Bagley switches the two horses. The tip off comes from an unlikely source - stable boy Streamline Jones has a pet monkey that favors Gallant Lad, but causes Avalanche to react violently. The ever observant Oriental Detective picks up on this immediately, and schemes to reverse the animals to their rightful identities before the day of the Santa Juanita Handicap, their next scheduled race. With Avalance the faster horse, and Gallant Lad a 20 to 1 underdog, the brains behind the gambling syndicate hope to cash in big when their ringer winds up in the winner's circle.

Adding to the intrigue, the race timekeeper who's part of the syndicate has a back up plan to insure Gallant Lad's victory. He rigs one of the timing devices at the three quarter mile mark with a dart which will be used on any lead horse ahead of Gallant Lad. The dart does in fact disrupt Avalanche's timing, but he goes on to win the race anyway. With the syndicate foiled, the only thing left to do is for Chan to expose the mastermind. This he does with his usual cool demeanor, even though it means exposing Major Kent's son in law - "Truth sometimes like stab of cruel knife."

Currently, "Charlie Chan at the Racetrack" appears to be the most highly regarded Chan film on the IMDb website. Allowing for personal preferences, I found it to be one of the better Chan entries, although I feel Warner Oland's adventures in London and Shanghai are more intriguing, along with Sidney Toler's portrayal in "Murder Cruise".

As for Number #1 Son Lee, he breathlessly bursts onto the final scene with news for Charlie (after the case has been solved) - "Hey Pop, I have another clue!" Charlie wisely advises: "Save for next case, please."

One of my favorites!

[putnam7 · 19 March 2002]

This is one of my favorites of the Chan series! Keye Luke as Lee Chan gave his funniest performance, in my opinion. His blabbering in Chinese when being led out of Charlie's stateroom; his antics while the fireworks are going off; notice how hard he hits one of the bad guys over the head with the bottle prop - really whacks him! Although I didn't care for the way the "Streamline" character was treated by some of the other cast members, this entry is entertaining! One of Charlie's great quotes - "Frequent spanking when young make rear view very familiar!"

New director makes a difference!

[Jim Tritten · 7/10 · 14 May 2002]

Like a breath of fresh air, director H. Bruce Humberstone breathes new life into the Warner Oland Chan series. A good murder mystery, and one that the viewer might actually solve if s/he is very observant, we are treated to Chan and No. 1 son Lee crossing swords with a gambling syndicate and ultimately unmasking their leader. `No man is poor who have worthy son.' We know that a horse has been manipulated and abused by its trainer Bagley but we still do not know who is the brains and money behind it all even after the gang is arrested. Chan outsmarts and outwits the leader who is tricked into revelation. Although this final exposure is initially unseen by the audience, there is a major clue played out earlier that should lead the viewer to suspect the right person – if you are watching. And of course there are many misleading clues: `Roots of tree lead in many directions.' Chan and son escape assault and kidnapping and Lee again gets to demonstrate his ability at disguise – this time as a Chinese laundry man. Lee gets to drive the laundry truck much as we have seen in earlier Mack Sennett comedies. Like in many Chan movies, portrayal of black stable boy with monkey must have been more acceptable to audiences of the time but today should simply be cut. Similarly Chan says at end: `Good wife best household furniture' brought a remark from my wife. Perhaps that too should be cut for today's audience. Minor note is that the director appears as one of the gang. Much better than most of this series. Recommended.

"Suspicion often father of truth."

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 27 February 2014]

Charlie Chan's old friend is murdered after he threatens to break up a racehorse gambling ring. Charlie investigates and finds lots of suspicious characters involved. Seems like every one of the popular movie detectives from the '30s and '40s eventually had a case involving horse racing. This one mixes the horse racing backdrop with that of an ocean liner mystery. This is a lesser but still enjoyable entry in the series. Possibly the "worst" of the Oland Chan movies, which says a lot about how good the series was. Keye Luke is still great fun as "Number One Son" Lee. Unfortunately there is also a cowardly stablehand character named Streamline that will be pretty offensive to modern audiences. Thankfully, he's not in the movie a lot. All of the suspects in this one are slimy. It was hard guessing who the killer was because they all seemed capable of it.

Number One Son Shines

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 28 October 2006]

I always enjoy the byplay between Charlie Chan and his kids. Warner Oland was more loving to them in the early Chans while Sidney Toler was more insulting (but not in a mean-spirited way.)

In this episode, Oland lets Keye Luke get very involved in the case and Luke provides a number of laughs along the way.

This was an interesting script and had a decent number of action scenes along with it during the 70 minutes. There are some inventive twists to the story, regarding the crooks, too.

This is another Charlie Chan winner, and I am pleased to see it will be out on DVD in December.

That's the guy they fished out of the ocean this morning!

[kapelusznik18 · 7/10 · 8 December 2013]

***SPOILERS*** Chinese/American P.I Charlie Chan, played by non Orientel Scandinavian Warner Oland, has his hands s full here getting shot and kidnapped by a gang of bookies as he uncovers a sinister plot to make a big and illegal score by them in switching horses in the up and coming rich Santa Juanita Handicap for three year old's and ups. It's the favorite in the race Avalanche who's been switch with another horse during an arson fire on the ship taking him from Honolulu to L.A for the big race. That's after the horses owner Major Kent, George Irving, was found dead in Avalanche's stall after he got Charlie Chan to investigate why his horse was made to get disqualified in his last race the Melbourne Cup in far off Australia.

Charlie gets the help of his #1 bumbling son Lee, Keye Luke, in doing all the leg and dirty work for him in uncovering the plot for the bookies to make a major killing at the race track. Charlie himself escapes from his captors, the bookies, together with #1 son Lee to get to the Santa Juanita Park to re -witch the two horses. That while Lee disguised as a Chinese laundry boy distracts the security guards by exploding his laundry truck just before the big race started. Still determined to pull off their scheme in winning the race the bookies plan to stop the now real Avalanche from winning by shooting him with a blowgun just before he hits the finish line.

***SPOILERS*** It's after the race that the truth comes out to who was responsible for all the crimes, including two murders, that lead up to it. Charlie in his unique way of explaining the facts behind the case was so boring and mechanical in explaining them that the person responsible just without as much as a whimper turned himself into the police. That in him knowing that life behind bars or even being executed was far better then being Chinese water tortured or talked to death by Charlie Chan.

"Pop, I've got another hot clue!"

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 18 July 2015]

Charlie Chan at the Race Track is a very solid entry in the series. In this one, one of Chan's old friends is killed on a ship sailing from Australia to Honolulu. The doctor rules the death an accident resulting from a kick to the head by his prize race horse. Chan notices some things that don't quite add up and is able to convince his superiors that the death was not an accident, but murder. Chan is soon caught up in a world of race horses and gambling syndicates as he looks for a killer.

I really can't complain about much of anything. The plot here is interesting with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. It helps that son Lee Chan is on hand to shine the light of suspicion on all of the characters at every opportunity. Speaking of Lee, Keye Luke is one of the real stars of this episode. Luke was never funnier than in Charlie Chan at the Race Track. Warner Oland is as solid as ever. He probably as more physical moments than in any Chan film I can remember, getting shot at twice and throwing a punch of his own. The supporting cast is generally quite good. I've gotten to where I could watch Jonathan Hale in just about anything - he's always good. The less said about the character Streamline, the better. The sets and costumes (high hats included) look nice, the cinematography sparkles, and the direction is snappy. Overall, a very solid effort.

Smallest of clues can tell on you.

[michaelRokeefe · 7/10 · 2 September 2010]

The famed detective Charlie Chan(Warner Oland) is on board a steamer when a prominent horse breeder is found stomped to death and possibly by his own horse. When Chan investigates he discovers his friend may not have been killed by his horse after all, but actually a ring of ruthless gamblers. Number One Son Lee(Keye Luke)helps prove that the smallest clues lead to the biggest answers. Charlie and son will have to match wits with kidnapping gamblers. The races at Santa Anita make a busy backdrop for murder gone bad. H. Bruce Humberstone directs this caper that also features: Helen Wood, Paul Fix, Gloria Roy, Thomas Beck , George Irving and Robert Warwick.

Charlie gets mixed up with the gambling racket

[binapiraeus · 8/10 · 7 March 2014]

This 'Charlie Chan' movie, like so many others, picks a background for its 'usual' complicated murder mystery that's very attractive and familiar for a lot of people: horse racing. The scent of the stables, the sight of the 'noble animals', as Charlie calls them, the excitement of the race itself - that alone must be enormously stimulating for a big part of the audience.

But, unfortunately, just like with prizefighting and so many other sports, along with horse racing many times comes - the gambling racket. Because there are millions at stake just for that great little moment when the first horse crosses the finishing line... And the great favorite of the season is 'Avalanche', who belongs to Charlie's old friend Major Kent. But, at the big Australian racing event, although he wins he is disqualified for a foul - which obviously was caused intentionally by his jockey. That makes Major Kent suspicious - and a few days later, during the sea voyage to the USA for the next big race, Kent is found dead, allegedly killed by his own horse's kicks; but Charlie Chan has got a different theory: murder!

Of course, there are lots of suspects and strange events that make the plot twist more and more; and besides, a whole gambling ring is a VERY powerful enemy... Will Charlie, with the help of 'number one son' Lee (who provides us with some magnificently comical scenes here, first as a ship's steward and then as a laundry boy!), be able to track down the racketeers AND to find his friend's murderer? A great, suspenseful, intricate mystery, with NO lack of entertainment whatsoever!

Spoon-Feeding Clues To The Audience To Confuse Them

[boblipton · 7/10 · 25 February 2024]

In the twelfth Charlie Chan movie, race horse owner George Irving apparently is killed by his own horse. When Warner Oland proves it was murder, he and son Keye Luke take ship to the mainland, where they soon run afoul of a race-betting syndicate.

There's an interesting red herring in this movie: the audience is given a major clue as to what is going on (by a monkey, yet!) before any of the characters save the eagle-eyed Oland begin to spot its significance. I was so busy congratulating myself over this victory and trying to figure what it meant in the solution of the murder that I missed the importance of another clue!

Jonathan Hale appears in the third of his three roles in the series. Other notable players include Alan Dinehart, Gloria Roy, Frank Coghlan Jr. And Frankie Darro.

And there off...............

[Mike-764 · 5/10 · 13 January 2005]

Avalanche (a race horse owned by Major Gordon Kent is given to George Chester as a wedding gift for marrying his daughter, Catherine) is racing in the Melbourne Sweepstakes when he is disqualified after his jockey, Tip Collins, fouls another horse. Kent suspects that Collins was part of a gambling ring, and plans to press charges and go after the ring's higher-ups upon return to the US, but is found dead in Avalanche's stall during the voyage. Charlie believes that Avalanche is not the murder when he finds a piece of the ship's winch. Since Avalanche is entered in Santa Juanita Handicap (in Los Angeles), Charlie (along with son, Lee) decide to complete the ocean voyage hoping to get the killer, who has been sending threatening notes to persons involved in the case (Chester, sportsman Fenton, gambler Barton, and Rogers- Kent's assistant). The killer also starts a small fire in the stable, proving that he could kill Avalanche when he wanted to, and when the ship docks, Avalanche appears to be acting strange- is this a plan of the killer, the gambling ring, or both? Okay entry in the series hampered by the number of characters and suspects which are hard to keep track of since they come and go so quickly which out introduced well or contributing to the plot. The script also seemed so-so, with little emphasis on the mystery or suspense element of the movie as compared to the previous entries, and also had difficulty bridging the scenes together. Rating, 5.

One of the best Chans... my favorite in fact!!!

[Isnam777 · 1 December 2011]

If you've read my title you'll know you're going to hear praise for this Chan entry. You should know this is the one Chan film I could watch over and over and never tire of it. The entire Chan series is great, but this entry is perfect in my view.

Charlie's old friend Major Gordon Kent, former owner and promoter of champion race horse Avalanche, is killed after getting too close to a gambling syndicate responsible for his horse's defeat in its latest race. Chan is called in when Kent's ocean liner reaches port in Honolulu. What initially is believed to be an accidental death blamed on Avalanche stomping Kent to death is quickly proved to be murder by the clever Chan. As the ocean voyage continues on to Los Angeles, Chan (along with #1 son Lee) come aboard to try and solve the murder before the horse's next race in California. As Chan closes in on the killer (and the gambling syndicate) his life and the life of his son are put into jeopardy. Despite all this will Chan and son stop the syndicate's ultimate plan from succeeding, and will justice be found for Kent's murder? It all comes to a whirlwind conclusion as Chan finally solves the puzzle and figures out the many angles of this mystery.

This entry is such a good one because it contains so many elements of my favorite Chan films. We have Chan and #1 son working as a team, a good portion of the story takes place on a passenger ship, the movie beginning in Honolulu but ending in another part of the world, there are more than one angles involved with the murder only playing a piece of the bigger puzzle, Gangsters, cool action sequences, a great cast and director, a romantic diversion... everything that I have liked about previous entries wrapped up into one, and neatly done as well.

For my money, this is the gold of an already great film series. If you like Chan films, or great classic mystery movies from this era in Hollywood, watch this one!

Ah gee, pop, when are we going to arrest somebody?

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 12 September 2023]

A bit more complicated than normal, the explanation of how a horse owner at a race track is murdered is presented technically and is a bit convoluted, especially if you miss an ounce of dialog. But the chemistry between Warner Oland and Keye Luke in their fourth teaming together as Charlie Chan and number one son Lee is undeniable, and the plot is intelligent, making more sense with the passing of time in the film. Luke gets good material even if the comedy threatens to make him appear to be a bit of a buffoon.

Sadly, there's another stereotypical slow moving young black character, the stable boy played by John H. Allen, with the silly name of "Streamline". Threats against a horse and jockey are written to keep rivals off the track. Eternal teen/tween actor Frankie Darro plays Tip, the jockey accused of corruption. Jonathan Hale and Alan Dinehart are good in support with Thomas Beck in another role, his third in a Chan film. Not one of my favorites in the series, but watchable.

Charlie Chan at the race track

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 30 December 2021]

On board a steamship bound for California, a wealthy racehorse owner lies dead, apparently kicked by his horse. But Chan suspects murder and, undaunted by a maze of false clues and the 'assistance' of his number one son (the silver screen's most useless yet lovable sidekick), he suavely closes in on the villain.

Ok Charlie Chan entry that drags a little however it's still fun, especially with Chan teasing his number one son, who simply tries too hard in the detecting stakes. But sometimes his antics inadvertently helps in solving the mystery.

An interesting film with much in its favor.

[admjtk1701 · 8/10 · 19 April 2000]

An interesting film with much in its favor, especially the team of Oland and Luke. I particularly like the scenes aboard ship en route from Honolulu to the mainland. Keye Luke has many funny scenes. A fair portion of the beginning of the film involves the other characters before Chan gets involved in the mystery. This makes it seem more like one of the Earl Derr Bigger's novels. This film makes a good double feature with the Marx Brothers' film, "A Day At The Races".

A plot that was a step above the rest...

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 11 March 2023]

... not that the other Charlie Chan films had simplistic plots, but this one was involved yet not confusing.

Charlie Chan gets word that an old friend of his, Major Kent, has been trampled to death by his horse Avalanche, onboard a ship bound for America, where Avalanche is to race at the Santa Anita racetrack. The fact that the major had sent Chan a wire about his suspicions about an illegal gambling ring, asking Chan to meet his boat when it docks in Honolulu to discuss the matter, makes Charlie initially suspicious. When he investigates the stall where the major was killed and notices that the blood spatter patterns do not match the story of how the major was killed, he becomes even more suspicious. So much so that he boards the boat to America so that he can further investigate.

This one has it all - a multitude of suspects, a very good plot, and plenty of Keye Luke as Charlie's oldest son, Lee. This time Lee is not just chasing girls. Instead he helps his dad quite a bit with the actual case. Of course, an involved plot requires involved investigation techniques by Chan, but his every move is explained to the audience as he is making them so that you can understand the approach taken. With Frankie Darro as an unfortunate jockey who gets in over his head, I'd recommend this one as the very best of the Warner Oland Charlie Chan films.

Make this one your number one must-see C.C. movie!

[JohnHowardReid · 10/10 · 28 March 2018]

Copyright 7 August 1936 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 14 August 1936 (ran one week). U.S. release: 7 August 1936. 6,300 feet. 70 minutes. SYNOPSIS: A gambling syndicate moves in on a Melbourne Cup winner.

NOTES: Number twelve of the sixteen pictures made by Warner Oland in the series, and the first of three to be directed by Lucky Humberstone (who also directed Sidney Toler in his initial entry, Charlie Chan in Honolulu). Shooting from 15 May 1936 through 18 June 1936. Locations filmed at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California.

COMMENT: For once the screenplay plays scrupulously fair with viewers. Not a clue is hidden away from our sight, to be suddenly produced by the detective at the climactic unmasking of the villain. Everything is played out in front of the audience and often explained, but nonetheless Mr X is most cleverly concealed. Even I didn't penetrate that intriguing business with the fake letters, though Charlie's motive is commendably simple and the actual clue itself is quite prominently thrust before our eyes on no less than two occasions.

What's more important, however, is that Race Track can in no way be described as a talk feast. In fact, it emerges as one of the most incident-packed of the whole series. Maybe I missed a few, but I counted two murders, two fires, two shootings, two stunt-filled horse races, one explosion, and at least one hair's-breadth escape.

Nor do the writer's stint on supplying Charlie with some typically ready rejoinders, including the following bon mots: "Good wife best household furniture"; "Smart fly keep out of gravy"; "Easy to criticize, more difficult to correct"; "Foolish to seek elsewhere when great treasure hidden under nose"; "Rabbit run very fast, but sometimes turtle win race"; "Truth sometimes like stab of cruel knife."

No other actor can match Warner Oland at his best (as here) for smooth charm, convincing Orientalism and delicious delivery. Alan Dinehart (love his hat!), Gavin Muir, Helen Wood and Frankie Darro contribute some fine work in support, and there's a stand-out performance from the cinema's number one seedy ship-steward, John Rogers who has some delightful run-ins with Chan's number one son, Keye Luke. I also enoyed the antics of "Lollipop", the clever monkey who offers more than a comic diversion, but provides Chan (and us) with a vital clue. Keen film buffs will also relish the chance to catch director Lucky Humberstone as the dapper gambler who causes Charlie and son to kidnapped. (And as for Lucky's actual direction, it rates as fast, smooth, ultra-proficient and even inventive. Just look at those swish dissolves).

A classy production all around, Race Track rates as deservedly one of the most popular movies in the entire 53-picture series.

A rather weak Chan entry

[gridoon2024 · 5/10 · 23 April 2016]

The title is a partial misnomer: about half of the movie takes place on a ship. The actual horse-racing scenes are well-filmed, but the movie in general is forgettable. The biggest issue is the anonymous supporting cast: it's hard to tell any of the characters apart, and none of them inspire any interest, sympathy, or even antipathy. The exceptions are, of course, Warner Oland, who is solid as Charlie Chan and whose aphorisms are the best quality of the film, and his Number One Son, likably played by Keye Luke. Oland has the single best moment in the film when he says to the culprit, with deadpan seriousness, "You convict self. Thank you so much"! My other favorite Chan line is probably "Suspicion often father of truth". ** out of 4.

A Horse of a Different Color

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 3 January 2016]

Charlie Chan gets involved in this case when a good friend is killed. He moves into the horse racing world. In so doing, he becomes the target of a crime syndicate that is involved in illegal betting. Avalanche, the horse that is the favorite, acts erratically. All sorts of shenanigans take place on board the steamship bring the horses to Los Angeles. There are a number of possible suspects and this offering makes it hard for the viewer to figure things out. The one thing that is hard to swallow is that the two favorites are disguised and switched. I would be that anyone close to a race horse could tell merely from its gait that it is a particular horse. This stretches things quite a bit. Unfortunately, we once again have a black man acting in the stereotypical Stepin Fetchitt mode. His name is Streamline and he has a monkey. While the monkey is important to the plot, this man is made to look subservient and foolish.

Stepin Fetchit

[tedg · 21 April 2007]

I spend a lot of time working with old detective films because I believe them to have contributed to, indeed profoundly changed, how we manage narrative. Some detective films (and those that reference them) are clever or important, fossils that indicate how our imagination evolved. Others are some other agenda wrapped in the detective label. The Chan series started out, I think as a genuinely interesting detective. The idea here was that some "otherness" was in our designated observer on screen. The fellow who unraveled reality for us was something like us, but wiser in an inscrutable way.

But the movies quickly became a lowbrow entertainment, which meant jokes at someone's expense. And because of the era, that means a main thread is jokes about race. Its inevitable, since the main device is racial: a white actor playing a superwise Chinese man. There are two secondary devices you will find in most Chan films:

— the son (usually a son) is played by a real Chinese man, and lest we forget that the detective is an icon, this Chinese fellow is a buffoon. He sometimes gets things right, but never by intent.

— the black man. Often this is the "driver." Here it is a stablehand. His job in the story is always the same, to indicate another fold in the reality of the characters. His demeaned demeanor is bug-eyed, retarded, subservient. He plays someone as iconic as Chan, but at the bottom of the stack, with the otherwise 100% white folks in the "real" story.

Oh. The story? Adapted from the Sherlock Holmes tale "Silver Blaze." Swapped racehorses with a "gambling ring" thrown in. I'm curious. Where there ever famous gambling rings like this in real life, or are they just movieland confabulations?

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

Gambling Necessity of Action Ironic Fix

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 2 June 2019]

Charlie Chan thanks to friend who owns horse, Avalanche, and son who wants to bet on same horse gets involved investigating murder of friend. This is a solid Chan and Warner Oland gets more action in this one than in the typical film. He even punches out someone (sorry about that).

The film starts with a fixed race in Australia and Chan in Honolulu giving a lesson on blood spots. Then after thr race comes a telegram from friend before he is murdered on board a ship bound for America. This beings Chan who lost his 50 cent bet on Avalanche into the investigation.

Keye Luke is on board and in action too. His running around the ship being chased by the ships head steward eminds me very much of the Marx Brothers running away from the shipes steward in Monkey Business a few years earlier. Actually these 2 films would make a great short double feature.

Even though Australia, and Honolulu are in the story line, all the filiming was done in California including the race scenes at the famous Santa Anita racetrack. Irony is we need Chan to go back there today and solve a real mystery- beating dead horse. No horse die during this.

Charlie at the Track

[gleetroy-848-524844 · 8/10 · 9 April 2023]

I have been watching a lot of Charlie Chan 's lately. Included are all three Chan's. Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, and Roland Winters. Warner Oland is clearly the best but Roland Winters was stronger and better than others have proclaimed him to be. This Warner Oland Mystery was the best one that I have seen since re-discovering Charlie Chan through streaming services. Lee Chan (Keye Luke) has terrific comic timing and this was a true and engrossing mystery. Not like the silly Monogram ones that had descended into comic slapstick and little else. Go to the track and enjoy a real good mystery from that time!!!!