A good script, good pacing and an excellent supporting cast all help make this one of the best Monogram Chan films. The one weak link among the actors is the entirely underwhelming performance of the actor playing Eddie Chan, Number 4 son.
A cranky inventor lives in an old mansion, waited on by the usual group of suspicious types who make good suspects! Chan is deft as always. You can almost sense him underplaying the humor of his scenes with Number 4 son, perhaps in an old pro's response to dealing with another actor who is just painfully bad. This was that actor's lone outing in a Chan picture--mercifully, for Chan fans. Even with him in it, this is still a very enjoyable film. The motto-spouting sheriff is a nice counterpart to Charlie. Anyone who has the idea that Monogram could not make a good Charlie Chan film, should see this movie. It's a winner. SPOILER ALERT: The body count in this film stands at five! I think that might be a record for any Chan movie!
A cranky inventor lives in an old mansion, waited on by the usual group of suspicious types who make good suspects! Chan is deft as always. You can almost sense him underplaying the humor of his scenes with Number 4 son, perhaps in an old pro's response to dealing with another actor who is just painfully bad. This was that actor's lone outing in a Chan picture--mercifully, for Chan fans. Even with him in it, this is still a very enjoyable film. The motto-spouting sheriff is a nice counterpart to Charlie. Anyone who has the idea that Monogram could not make a good Charlie Chan film, should see this movie. It's a winner. SPOILER ALERT: The body count in this film stands at five! I think that might be a record for any Chan movie!