The Red Dragon (1945) User Reviews

Not bad, for a Monogram

[xnet95 · 7/10 · 19 December 2010]

Sometimes I dread watching some of the later Monogram Chan's, but this one was a pleasure to watch. It's a friendly Chan that's easy to digest. The story is not convoluted with so many twists and turns that you need to take notes to follow the story. This one's pretty basic. Atom bomb secrets are stolen in Checkoslovakia and end up in Mexico City. A secret govt. agent who is watching the thief gets murdered in a mysterious way - one gun shot is heard, but two bullets are found. There are a group of suspects for the murder, and they're all looking for the secret papers. It's Charlie's job to find the papers first, and then find the murderer.

I like the clue the govt. agent leaves on the typewriter as he is dying. It's fun trying to figure out what the message means. If you can do it the first time you watch this flick, you are smarter than me. The way the people are murdered is pretty ingenious, which adds to the mystery. Also, I liked the fact that Chattanooga and #3 son had limited roles in this flick. The focus of these movies should be Charlie and the mystery he is trying to solve, but too many times the mood is destroyed in the name of comedy relief. Thankfully, Red Dragon doesn't have much of that. Another nice aspect was the amount of sets and locations. It helped give the movie a nice flow - it never got bogged down or boring. Sometimes these cheap Monogram's seem claustrophobic, slow, and boring, but this one bounced all around the city.

I read that the original running time for this movie was 64 minutes, but the one I watched last night was a hair under 59 minutes. This was a hard one to track down. It didn't seem like the missing 5 minutes hurt the story. Hopefully, it was just fluff, like Chattanooga and #3 son playing around. If you are a Chan fan and can find this one, it's well worth watching.

Chinese Ink on a Typewriter Ribbon

[biorngm · 7/10 · 20 July 2018]

Review - The Red Dragon, Released 2-2-46 A person is certainly guessing throughout the movie for the bad guy identity, since there is a mystery how people are murdered by bullets showing no signs of being fired from a gun. There are plenty of red-herrings in the mix of dubious characters, all with horrific pasts. Why Mexico City had been chosen for the crime scene is in question, but has no direct bearing on the plot. The law enforcement official Charlie works with is professional, not some rube, or someone incompetent. The scenery is primarily a hotel, with various floors furnishing the variety in stages. The overall cast is believable, rather professional, both major and minor roles played. There are three murders keeping Charlie busy throughout the movie, with an underlying theme of national security involving an atomic bomb formula being stolen or in jeopardy.

Preventing this movie from scoring better would be the lack of a mention for motive of the murders other than greed, and a word of actual character background, except the government file on each that Chan reads when the initial grilling begins. Why were the killing victims bumped off? There wasn't an explanation as to why they were chosen as opposed to a process of elimination. Some characters seemed innocent, less dastardly than others. Some characters could have selected as the most ripe for the killer to be than some. I would have picked the two greasiest characters right off the top, and I would have correct. When the one guy's wife was killed, it really disqualified him as the killer. The singer and the tourist female roles weren't the type without a partner.

What explanation was given for there to be a couple of bullets fired at each killing, one in the victim and other in the wall? I can buy the mechanism to initiate the shots, hiding the ammo on the person or in the woman's purse, and the clever manner of hiding the propelling agent was unique. The usage of the manner to disguise the secret document was also unique, and with the themed red dragon ink on typewriter ribbon that had been discarded in a desk drawer, a different twist.

Number three son was less annoying than in most movies, I said less, and his counterpart appeared in only two movies speaks for itself, I think. Charlie appears to hold up well considering he lived in real life twelve months from the movie release date. Sidney Toler was in the majority of the movie's scenes, all helping move the story along through the limited clues, and it works best if the star shows often. The red dragon ink can be affixed to a typewriter ribbon and it is true the keys only strike the top and bottom of the ribbon; really? The top is struck in one cycle before flipping the ribbon to have it strike the other half. Maybe that is the reason the first murder victim was performing the function when he was killed. Watch and determine the reason for the ribbon being adjusted before the man is shot.

The weakest of Sidney Toler's Chan films

[shakspryn · 5/10 · 30 August 2017]

This one gets my vote for the weakest Chan film starring the great Sidney Toler. Even Toler's superb acting skills cannot get this inert mass airborne, unfortunately.

If you looked at this film on paper, so to speak, it seems like it should work. We get a quite good premise, and the cast of supporting characters aren't bad. I think the fault likes in the direction, because the pace of this film is sometimes painfully slow. To me, there often is little sense of dramatic tension or excitement. With all the other Chan films, there's more sense of fun and energy than I find here. I say that as someone who has seen all the films, and liked all but this one, to varying degrees. I also think the Monogram films are unjustly underrated, because they are good packages of entertainment. I'll watch this one again at some point, but it's last on my list.

Every Girl Crazy 'bout A Sharp Dressed Chan

[Phantom Moonhead · 22 March 2003]

Charlie does the Rhumba in this one, a must see for fans! It's considered one of the worst Monograms but I always liked this one, maybe because it's one of the harder to find Chans. I thought the premise of the remote controlled bullets was a decent effort.

One shot...two bullets...and no weapon!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 1 August 2018]

Curious why willie best is playing birmingham's role (Chattanooga) benson fong as tommy (also played by victor sen yung) red dragon ink

I have no idea why, but instead of Mantan Moreland appearing in this film as Birmingham Brown, Willie Best is playing this role and he's referred to as Chattanooga Brown...a relative of Birmingham. Benson Fong appears as Tommy Chan and his role was occasionally played by Victor Sen Yung. As for Charlie, he's played by Sidney Toler, who played the role in 21 films from 1939-1946 (after he died, Roland Winters played Charlie for six more films).

In "The Red Dragon", Charlie, Tommy and Chattanooga are in Mexico City to assist Inspector Carvero (Fortunio Bonanova). He's got a group of suspects and all of them seem to be lying about who they are. Chan helps him figure out the truth about the folks. So what's the mystery? There are two things....stolen nuclear secrets AND a murder in which no weapon was found and two bullets came with one shot*. Can Charlie figure it all out once again??

This film is pretty typical of the quality of the Toler Charlie Chan films. I did miss Birmingham but still it's a good film...entertaining and worth seeing.

*Although you may not care, I have a handgun that can shoot two or three bullets with each shot. Some .410 shotgun shells (0 and 00 shot) fire 2 or 3 slugs with one shot.

Very good

[SanteeFats · 7/10 · 27 October 2013]

I like this Charlie Chan film. It has some drama, some humor (the son and the driver) and the search for the killer is intriguing. The most appealing part of this movie and one I did not figure out is how the people are killed. I would have never have thought of using a thermostat that could be placed on the wall and then activated by a radio signal to shoot people. It turns out to be a very clever idea, hopefully not one that has actually been used, but who knows. Chan spouts adages that are suppose to be of Chinese origins. They do sound like they might be real but again who knows?? I also like the understated interplay between Chan and the suspects.

Charlie Chan Is Really Important

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 20 January 2016]

A man who has knowledge of a new element that will be used to create an enormous A- bomb is killed as he talks to a group of people who late become suspects. Since this is a matter of national security, our famous detective is called to the scene. Of course, one of his sons is there and so is Chattanooga Brown, the cousin of Birmingham Brown (the Mantan Moreland character). Because there is no identifying the bullet through ballistics, things get kind of hairy. Most of the suspects are spies or others who have done some evil dealings in the past. Soon, murders are being committed. Sometimes the humor gets in the way . Can one imagine something as serious as a nuclear weapon being created as these guys bumble around. Nevertheless, it still has some charm.

"I like to have you and my other enemies together so I can see what you're all doing."

[classicsoncall · 4/10 · 22 September 2004]

One shot, 2 bullets, no gun - that's the common denominator in three separate murders being investigated by Charlie Chan in Mexico City. The motive for the murders is a set of research notes and a formula for an atomic bomb which the killer is after. Adding to the mystery is the fact that there are no rifling marks on the bullets that found their victims.

This is a very stiff, almost painful to watch Chan film. The acting is halting and abrupt, even for the experienced members of the Chan family, Sidney Toler in the Chan role and Benson Fong as Number #3 son Tommy. Willie Best appears as Chan chauffeur Chattanooga Brown, cousin of Mantan Moreland's Birmingham character in the prior seven Monogram Chans.

There is virtually no meaningful investigation to solving this case, a sample of the mechanism that houses a remote controlled bullet mysteriously turns up in Charlie's pocket; the detonator is disguised as a thermostat. Of course, if you're a fan of Charlie Chan, you'll have to view this film to be a completist, but once is probably enough.

There is one redeeming factor to this movie though - Sidney Toler cuts a mean rumba!

One shot heard, two bullets fired, no gun found...

[binapiraeus · 8/10 · 21 March 2014]

This is one of the 'lighter' Charlie Chan movies - almost TOO light, considering that what everybody's after here is the formula for a new, enormously powerful atomic bomb... But let's leave that aside; the film is meant as a clever and entertaining detective story, and that's what it is.

It all starts when a detective disguised as the secretary of nuclear scientist Wyans is killed VERY mysteriously while sitting in front of his typewriter: there were no less than six suspects around (and one more suspicious than the other: a gun runner, a smuggler, a Nazi propagandist, a fake countess, a girl who denies her descent from Czechoslovakia...), there was only one shot heard, but two bullets fired (one in the victim's heart, and the other one in the wall) - and no trace of a gun anywhere! Now who could solve THIS mystery, AND find the very cleverly hidden formula, with the only evidence being a bottle of Chinese 'Red Dragon' ink? Only Charlie Chan, of course!

And amidst all the hard and dangerous detective work, Tommy and Birmingham's cousin Chattanooga (played by tall, thin Willie Best, the exact opposite to short, round-faced Mantan Moreland in appearance, but almost equally marvelous at playing 'scared') of course find time to entertain us with their clumsiness both at detecting and at romancing - and we get to see even Charlie himself doing a rumba with a pretty young Chinese artist! But the BEST laugh is kept for the final scene - see for yourself...

Charlie Chan is summoned to Mexico.

[michaelRokeefe · 6/10 · 23 June 2011]

When an attempt is made to steal important papers that reveals the discovery of a new element that could possibly be used in making the Atomic Bomb, Charlie Chan is summoned by Police Inspector Cavarro(Fortunio Bonanova)of Mexico City. Chan(Sidney Toler) is accompanied by his Number Three son Tommy(Benson Fong)and driver/assistant Chattanooga Brown(Willie Best)and immediately arrives at a murder scene. Guests at a luncheon party hear a gunshot, but two bullets are discovered. Murdered is an undercover agent with the U.S. Government working as a secretary to a mysterious Alfred Wyans(Robert Emmett Keane); but are his papers still safe? Murder suspects at the party include a Countess, an international smuggler, a singer, a Nazi propagandist and a former gunrunner. Some say this is one of the worst Chan movies, while others strongly disagree. The murder weapon is quite inventive. Other players include: Carol Hughes, Barton Yarborough, George Meeker, Marjorie Hoshelle and Don Costello.

Charlie Chan does the rumba in an OK Monogram entry

[gridoon2024 · 5/10 · 7 August 2017]

"Red Dragon" is one of the better Monogram entries in the Charlie Chan series, because it presents a genuinely puzzling enigma (one shot, two bullets....no gun), and also has one of the most likable inspectors whom Chan has ever worked with (there is a mutual respect between them, and he doesn't speak with an overdone Mexican accent for comic effect). But Chan has no witty lines, and the killer seems to be picked out of a lottery - there is no logic that would lead Chan, or the viewer, to this particular conclusion. ** out of 4.

Good "C" entry and a chance to see some of Hollywood's most recognizable character and supporting actors.

[NativeTexan · 10/10 · 10 October 2003]

Sidney Toler brings dignity to the role of Charlie Chan, even in these poor-relation Monogram entries. The script isn't great, but it's still good to see Toler as Chan and some of Hollywood's important character and supporting actors such as George Meeker, Don Costello, and Charles Trowbridge in supporting roles. Willie Best is fine as Chattanooga Brown.

One shot fired, two bullets found, Chan investigates

[csteidler · 6/10 · 3 July 2017]

Stolen secret papers contain info on the mysterious 95th element, which could be used to build a giant atom bomb. Charlie Chan signs on to recover said papers—and also to track down the murderer who shot the secretary before snatching those vital documents.

Unfortunately, most of the picture is not as exciting as that sounds....however, this late entry in the Chan series is passably entertaining as well as short and sweet.

A mystery mechanism is used to commit multiple murders—one shot is always heard but two bullets are found. Can Chan solve the riddle before he too becomes a target?

Benson Fong is on hand again as Chan's #3 son Tommy, while Willie Best takes on chauffeur duties for this picture (as Chattanooga Brown, cousin to Mantan Moreland's Birmingham Brown). Tommy and Chattanooga manage most of the comic relief with mildly humorous exchanges such as:

Chattanooga: "My hair's getting tired." Tommy Chan: ""Your hair is tired?" Chattanooga: "Yeah, for the last 10 minutes it's been standing on end."

The fact that Sidney Toler dancing the rhumba is probably the highlight of the picture might tell you something.

lackluster but enjoyed the rhumba

[blanche-2 · 5/10 · 18 July 2021]

"The Red Dragon" from 1945 finds Charlie (Sidney Toler), Tommy (Benson Fong), and Chattanooga Brown (Willie Best) investigating a crime in Mexico City. They have the help of the big cheese there, Inspector Cavero, Fortunio Bonanova.

In an attempt to steal atomic bomb documents, there have been some shootings - strange ones - two shots, one bullet, and no gun found. A perplexing case for Charlie.

Plenty of suspects, including Inspector Carvero's love interest, Margarite (Carol Hughes), a night club singer called the Countess Irena (Marjorie Hoshelle), and several others, all trying to get the documents from Alfred Wayans (Robert E. Keane).

Toler has one cute scene where he does the rhumba in a nightclub.

For comic relief there was Tommy and Chattanooga. Chattanooga was Birmingham's brother. They had some amusing scenes, but I prefer Mantan Moreland in the chauffeur role, and Sen Yung or Keye Luke. Moreland had an animated face, a cheerful demeanor, and great line delivery. Best had made his career playing the black stereotype, which is difficult to watch today, though he was good.

Some trivia - Marjorie Hoshelle, who played Countess Irena, was married to Jeff Chandler. She reminded me a bit of Lauren Bacall. Hoshelle and she and Chandler's two daughters, born in the late '40s, all died from cancer.

I know the whole film is un-pc, but I do like the Charlie Chan movies.

A toothless dragon

[pbalos · 5/10 · 17 August 2000]

with no bite. This is probably the worse of the Monogram series. It is clumsy and boring. It is supposedly Mexico City, but it may as well be Omaha.Charlie and his "shadow" Insp. Carvero (there's never a scene without them together) bump around aimlessly trying to find the murderer who uses a silly lethal weapon.The story line throughout this film remains unclear...to me, anyway. Once again, the character of Tommy Chan (Benson Fong) simply does not work well. Even the humour by Chattanooga (Willie Best) is flat.The best part is watching Sidney Tolar do the rumba, which as far is I know is a Cuban dance.Aside from diehard Chan fans, you can skip this one.

Oh No -- Not Willie Best!

[utgard14 · 4/10 · 16 March 2014]

I've been critical of the lame comedy of Mantan Moreland in this series but dear lord I never wanted to see him replaced by Willie Best! Yet here we are with Best playing Chattanooga Brown, cousin to Moreland's Birmingham. Willie Best, for those of you who don't know, was a black actor famous for his stereotypical characters that were always lazy, cowardly, and stupid. It's pretty offensive, even if you aren't politically correct.

Putting the Chattanooga crap aside, the rest of the movie is a fairly ordinary Charlie Chan Monogram film. The plot's about Charlie going to Mexico over some stolen atomic bomb formula or something. Anyway, there are some murders and he must investigate with Inspector Luis Carvero. Carvero is played by actor Fortunio Bonanova and yes, his name is awesome. Benson Fong also returns as "Number Three Son" Tommy. He's still worthless. I can't recommend this one unless you're a die-hard Charlie Chan fan. It's fairly terrible. Sadly, the series would just get worse.

The unknown element

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 13 April 2013]

Some bad science characterizes this Monogram Charlie Chan feature with Sidney Toler. The other thing that characterizes this film is the temporary absence of chauffeur Birmingham Brown on vacation to be sure. Mantan Moreland is replaced as Chan chauffeur by Willie Best, another member of the Brown family who hails from Chattanooga.

Charlie, Chattanooga, and son Benson Fong as Tommy Chan are in Mexico City on a case. Charlie was to meet a contact there who was murdered an hour before meeting Chan and Mexican detective Fortunio Bonanova is there to break the bad news.

Two more murders occur before this is all solved. I do have to say that the weapon used is quite a unique gadget, firing bullets, but hardly from a traditional gun. Of course you have to get up close and personal with your target before moving a distance away to fire the weapon. And no guarantee as to how the bullet will be aimed. You'll have to see the film to know what I mean.

Originality in weaponry is one thing, but the science is appalling here. The object of the Chan search is some hidden document noting a discovery of an unknown atomic element of a higher grade than Neptunium or Plutonium which they say were discovered during the Manhattan Project Research. Not so, not so at all, but I imagine few physicists went to see Monogram Pictures.

Such sinister types as Charles Trowbridge, Don Costello, Barton Yarborough, George Meeker, and Marjorie Hoshelle are around and with enough mysterious background to have everyone looking twice. Marjorie Hoshelle later married Jeff Chandler, here she's the mysterious Countess Irena, fake royalty, but good nightclub singer.

The Red Dragon shows the decline in quality when the Charlie Chan series went to Monogram, still even with the bad science it's hardly the worst one out there.

The War is barely over, and there's already plans for a worse one.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 16 September 2023]

If the horrible destruction after the atom bombs were dropped over Japan wasn't enough, now there's plans for a greater one, and the attempted theft of updated plans leads murder by typewriter. Actually bullets fired out of the typewriter at the unlucky person using it. Chan and #3 son Tommy (Benson Fong) are in Mexico City when a series of murders involving these plans occur, including singing countess Marjorie Hoshelle. Toler gets to rumba in this one which is used as a funny twist in the last scene.

While Fong's Tommy is basically the same as older brothers Lee and Jimmy, he's nothing like Layne Tom Jr. Who played this role as a pre-teen. He's shown to be quite friendly with the new chauffer, Willie Best, cousin of Charlie's previous driver. I've always found Best a terrific comic even if he's forced to perpetuate the fortunately long gone black stereotypes. Best and Fong together provide the comic relief which splits the buffoonery down the middle. Not bad Monogram entry, but a big step down from even the lowest of the 20th Century Fox B's.

New secret plans for explosive

[ctyankee1 · 20 February 2017]

Starts off at the US Embassy in Mexico City. Scenery of street makes Mexico city look very nice. Walter Dorn wants to get Charlie Chan to go there regarding secret plans of a Mr Wyans which someone tried to rob twice. It is kind of confusing as to what countries are dealing with who for the plans.

At the airport Chattanooga Brown is Chan's driver. When they land in Mexico City he is with Chan's son Tommy and Charlie Chan. Brown is a cousin of Birmingham Brown. Birmingham is funnier though in other episodes. Chan is waiting for Dorn to pick them up and he is told Dorn is dead.

Walter Dorn is killed at a gathering at Wayan's apartment by a gunshot. There are many people invited there. Insp.Luis Carvero takes Chan there and they did not find anyone with a gun.

Charlie Chan has some doubts' about Inspector Carvero because the Inspector has has a relationship with one of the women where Dorn was killed and Chan thinks he might be biased.

People get shot but no gun visible. Chan has to figure out what is going on. He has figured out the new plan will make a atom bomb more explosive.

So more investigating needed.