I've worked my way recently through about 10 of the films in the Chan series and this is one of the most compelling I've seen yet -- largely due to the good chemistry between Warner Oland and Henrietta Crosman, who is one of the more memorable of the leading ladies in the series. True, the Chan family is missing -- except when viewed briefly in a photograph at the film's very end -- and the San Francisco location isn't very convincing; it is hard to place the "ancient" house where much of the action takes place in a city where most everything was burnt to the ground in 1906. Nevertheless many of the typically alluring elements of the Chan films are present in full force -- society ladies in long dresses, a shady pair of mediums, séances that come to a screaming end, pitch black scenes in secret rooms, and odd applications of 1930s technology. Jonathan Hale is a welcome presence and the comic relief supplied by Herbert Mundin as the butler stops short of being annoying, which is more than one can say for some of the later entries in the series. All in all quite satisfying.
41 Reviews
Far from typical Charlie Chan Mystery is also one of the better entries
dbborroughs24 October 2009
More serious Chan story has the detective going it alone as he tries to solve the mystery of a missing heir. The mystery becomes a question of murder in short order and the detective tries to find the killer before he is the next victim.
Atypical Chan is undeservedly forgotten, even by me. I remember the film not because of what it is, a cracking good mystery, rather because of what its not, a film with little humor and no of his kids to help him. Its a wonderful change of pace that marked a break from the formula that would dominate most of the films in the series. The film also has one of the best mysteries, as in the plot of what is really going on, in the entire 40 plus film series.. Closer in a way to the darkness of some of the later films, this is one of the Chans thats really is perfect for a dark and rainy night. Recommended
Atypical Chan is undeservedly forgotten, even by me. I remember the film not because of what it is, a cracking good mystery, rather because of what its not, a film with little humor and no of his kids to help him. Its a wonderful change of pace that marked a break from the formula that would dominate most of the films in the series. The film also has one of the best mysteries, as in the plot of what is really going on, in the entire 40 plus film series.. Closer in a way to the darkness of some of the later films, this is one of the Chans thats really is perfect for a dark and rainy night. Recommended
"Necessity mother of invention, but sometimes step-mother of deception."
bensonmum218 August 2007
After many years' absence, Allen Colby is on his way home to reclaim his inheritance. But there seems to be someone who wants to make sure he doesn't make it. There are plenty of suspects - Aunt Henrietta Lowell and the rest of the extended family who have grown accustomed to living off the money, Professor Bowen and Carlotta the medium who stand to benefit greatly from the generosity of Henrietta Lowell, the caretaker Ulrich who blames Colby for his daughter's death, and the family's lawyer Warren Phelps who has enjoyed administering the family's estate. Any one of these people could have it in for Colby. When Colby's lifeless body turns up at a séance, its up to Charlie Chan to find the killer.
I'm not sure how other Chan fans feel about Charlie Chan's Secret, but for me, it's a real winner. It's got everything that I could ask for in one of these movies - Warner Oland at the top of his game, atmosphere, a house full of suspects, mediums and séances, an old house with secret passages, and on and on it goes. What fun! Sure, if you sit and think about the plot too hard, it starts to fall apart. But that's not the way to watch a movie like Charlie Chan's Secret. Just turn your mind off and let it entertain. For me, it's one of the better films in the series.
There are a number of special things or moments or people in Charlie Chan's Secret that I could discuss, but I'll limit this to mentioning Herbert Mundin who plays Baxter, the butler. With no Number 1 son in sight, Mundin essentially plays the role usually reserved for Keye Luke in these early Chan films. And he does so masterfully. His comic bumbling is the perfect counter to the straight-laced Oland. One scene I especially enjoy is when Mundin must cross in front of a window through which a bullet has just passed. It's a small moment, but it's played to perfection. It's a nice performance from a talented actor.
I'm not sure how other Chan fans feel about Charlie Chan's Secret, but for me, it's a real winner. It's got everything that I could ask for in one of these movies - Warner Oland at the top of his game, atmosphere, a house full of suspects, mediums and séances, an old house with secret passages, and on and on it goes. What fun! Sure, if you sit and think about the plot too hard, it starts to fall apart. But that's not the way to watch a movie like Charlie Chan's Secret. Just turn your mind off and let it entertain. For me, it's one of the better films in the series.
There are a number of special things or moments or people in Charlie Chan's Secret that I could discuss, but I'll limit this to mentioning Herbert Mundin who plays Baxter, the butler. With no Number 1 son in sight, Mundin essentially plays the role usually reserved for Keye Luke in these early Chan films. And he does so masterfully. His comic bumbling is the perfect counter to the straight-laced Oland. One scene I especially enjoy is when Mundin must cross in front of a window through which a bullet has just passed. It's a small moment, but it's played to perfection. It's a nice performance from a talented actor.
Chinese People Interested In All Things Psychic
gftbiloxi21 April 2005
Filmed in 1935 and released in 1936, CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET is the 10th film in the Fox series. It is also a film about which I have changed my opinion over several viewings. I originally felt it was among the weaker Chan films starring Warner Oland; today, however, I would describe it as a truly solid entry.
Several years earlier Alan Colby, heir to a major fortune, disappeared and was presumed dead--and elderly aunt Alice Lowell (Rosina Lawrence) inherited the estate. Now, however, it seems that Colby may be alive, and although his resurrection will cost her the family fortune Mrs. Lowell dutifully enlists Chan to investigate the matter. But with a great fortune at stake, murder cannot be far behind.
Such earlier Chan films as THE BLACK CAMEL and CHARLIE CHAN IN Egypt introduced an occult edge to the Chan films, and CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET plays upon this theme to a degree not previously seen in any other Chan film: Mrs. Lowell is a spiritualist who is given to everything from séances to nightly sessions with the Ouija board, and both elements play into the story in a significant way. Although the plot itself is nonsense, the "spooky" elements fill the holes, and the cast--most particularly Rosina Lawrence as Mrs. Lowell and Herbert Mundin as the bumbling butler Baxter--deliver solid and quite often charming performances.
Chan films are often accused of being racist, and critics often complain that the actors playing Chan wore "yellowface" make up. The films, however, must be seen within the context of their era. In the 1930s, Hollywood presented most Asian characters as either servile or as Fu Manchu-like entities; Chan was actually just about the only positive Asian character going, and as such the films were tremendously popular with Asian-American audiences of the era.
True enough, Chan is inevitably played by an occidental actor, but this was typical of the era, in which star status was considered more important than racial accuracy. Whatever the case, neither Warner Oland or the later Sidney Toler wore significant make-up for the role, and Oland--although a Swede by birth--actually had a strong strain of Asian ancestry in his family tree. But most significantly, while Chan often allows his suspects to dismiss him through their own prejudices, as a character he is always presented in a positive light--and this is particularly true of CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET, in which Chan is the only Asian character in the film.
While I would not rank it along such knock-out Chan films as CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA or CHARLIE CHAN AT TREASURE ISLAND, CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET grows upon you with each viewing. As noted the plot is weak, but the film is long on charm. It is also one of the few Chan films available to the home market. Most Chan fans should enjoy it.
Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Several years earlier Alan Colby, heir to a major fortune, disappeared and was presumed dead--and elderly aunt Alice Lowell (Rosina Lawrence) inherited the estate. Now, however, it seems that Colby may be alive, and although his resurrection will cost her the family fortune Mrs. Lowell dutifully enlists Chan to investigate the matter. But with a great fortune at stake, murder cannot be far behind.
Such earlier Chan films as THE BLACK CAMEL and CHARLIE CHAN IN Egypt introduced an occult edge to the Chan films, and CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET plays upon this theme to a degree not previously seen in any other Chan film: Mrs. Lowell is a spiritualist who is given to everything from séances to nightly sessions with the Ouija board, and both elements play into the story in a significant way. Although the plot itself is nonsense, the "spooky" elements fill the holes, and the cast--most particularly Rosina Lawrence as Mrs. Lowell and Herbert Mundin as the bumbling butler Baxter--deliver solid and quite often charming performances.
Chan films are often accused of being racist, and critics often complain that the actors playing Chan wore "yellowface" make up. The films, however, must be seen within the context of their era. In the 1930s, Hollywood presented most Asian characters as either servile or as Fu Manchu-like entities; Chan was actually just about the only positive Asian character going, and as such the films were tremendously popular with Asian-American audiences of the era.
True enough, Chan is inevitably played by an occidental actor, but this was typical of the era, in which star status was considered more important than racial accuracy. Whatever the case, neither Warner Oland or the later Sidney Toler wore significant make-up for the role, and Oland--although a Swede by birth--actually had a strong strain of Asian ancestry in his family tree. But most significantly, while Chan often allows his suspects to dismiss him through their own prejudices, as a character he is always presented in a positive light--and this is particularly true of CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET, in which Chan is the only Asian character in the film.
While I would not rank it along such knock-out Chan films as CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA or CHARLIE CHAN AT TREASURE ISLAND, CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET grows upon you with each viewing. As noted the plot is weak, but the film is long on charm. It is also one of the few Chan films available to the home market. Most Chan fans should enjoy it.
Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer
"Best place for skeletons is in family closet."
classicsoncall18 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Missing for seven years, Allen Colby, heir to his father's fortune is no longer welcome at the Colby/Lowell home. His arrival would mean that the supply of funds doled out by his father's estate under matriarch Henrietta Lowell, Bernard Colby's sister, would come to an abrupt halt. Henrietta has an abiding interest in all things psychic, and has spent nearly one hundred thousand dollars on psychic research, séances, and payments to Professor Bowen and wife Carlotta to stay in touch with the dead.
Although it's presumed Allen Colby drowned when a cruise ship went down, detective Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) has his doubts. With no body, and a recovered briefcase bearing the initials "A.C.", Chan believes the missing heir will show up. Indeed he does, but not as expected. Gaining entrance to the old Colby homestead, Allen is quickly dispatched by a knife in the back thrown from a parlor trapdoor. His corpse does make an appearance though, at a scheduled séance meant to determine his fate. With Colby truly gone, the remaining Colby/Lowell heirs can gain some measure of satisfaction - or can they?
The film does a nice job of presenting a number of possible suspects to the Colby murder. Attorney Warren Phelps, the administrator of the Colby fortune stands to lose a substantial portion of his income from fees paid for his services. Henrietta Lowell would lose all of her psychic research funding, and her two daughters would be cut off as well. Accordingly, Professor Bowen and wife Carlotta would no longer enjoy their séance income if Allen Colby showed up to claim his inheritance. And for good measure, the film offers caretaker Ulrich as a suspect; his daughter was in love with Colby years ago, but died some time after Colby disappeared seven years earlier.
Charlie Chan approaches the case methodically, and begins to unravel the case a step at a time. When he demonstrates to Mrs. Lowell how the séances were rigged by the Bowen's, she becomes a loyal ally to uncover the mystery, to the point of faking her own death when the killer lashes out. But with all the meticulous work done in laying out the suspects, the identity of the real murderer still comes as a surprise at the end. In typical Chan fashion, the killer had a stake in Colby's disappearance, but there were no real clues to implicate him throughout the film.
With no Chan family members on board for this film, the comic relief is handled by Lowell butler Baxter, nervously but effectively portrayed by Herbert Mundin. As if to lend further credibility to mysterious psychic forces at work in the Colby House, a black cat named Lucifer snarls his way into a couple of well placed scenes. Sufficiently dark and moody, "Charlie Chan's Secret" is a well told mystery that nicely complements other films in the Chan series.
Although it's presumed Allen Colby drowned when a cruise ship went down, detective Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) has his doubts. With no body, and a recovered briefcase bearing the initials "A.C.", Chan believes the missing heir will show up. Indeed he does, but not as expected. Gaining entrance to the old Colby homestead, Allen is quickly dispatched by a knife in the back thrown from a parlor trapdoor. His corpse does make an appearance though, at a scheduled séance meant to determine his fate. With Colby truly gone, the remaining Colby/Lowell heirs can gain some measure of satisfaction - or can they?
The film does a nice job of presenting a number of possible suspects to the Colby murder. Attorney Warren Phelps, the administrator of the Colby fortune stands to lose a substantial portion of his income from fees paid for his services. Henrietta Lowell would lose all of her psychic research funding, and her two daughters would be cut off as well. Accordingly, Professor Bowen and wife Carlotta would no longer enjoy their séance income if Allen Colby showed up to claim his inheritance. And for good measure, the film offers caretaker Ulrich as a suspect; his daughter was in love with Colby years ago, but died some time after Colby disappeared seven years earlier.
Charlie Chan approaches the case methodically, and begins to unravel the case a step at a time. When he demonstrates to Mrs. Lowell how the séances were rigged by the Bowen's, she becomes a loyal ally to uncover the mystery, to the point of faking her own death when the killer lashes out. But with all the meticulous work done in laying out the suspects, the identity of the real murderer still comes as a surprise at the end. In typical Chan fashion, the killer had a stake in Colby's disappearance, but there were no real clues to implicate him throughout the film.
With no Chan family members on board for this film, the comic relief is handled by Lowell butler Baxter, nervously but effectively portrayed by Herbert Mundin. As if to lend further credibility to mysterious psychic forces at work in the Colby House, a black cat named Lucifer snarls his way into a couple of well placed scenes. Sufficiently dark and moody, "Charlie Chan's Secret" is a well told mystery that nicely complements other films in the Chan series.
Welcome to spooky Colby Mansion
chris_gaskin1233 April 2006
I've just seen Charlie Chan's Secret for the first time and think it is one of the better Chan movies.
In this one, Charlie Chan is sent to Colby Mansion to investigate a murder of one of the Colby family. This place is very spooky with hidden doorways, secret passages and séances. There are quite a few suspects on who the murderer is. Charlie is not helped by any of his sons in this.
This movie is quite spooky throughout and reminds me of The House On Haunted Hill in some parts, though we haven't got Vincent Price in this.
The cast includes Warner Oland as Charlie, who plays the part well as always.
Have a good fright with Charlie Chan's Secret. Excellent.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
In this one, Charlie Chan is sent to Colby Mansion to investigate a murder of one of the Colby family. This place is very spooky with hidden doorways, secret passages and séances. There are quite a few suspects on who the murderer is. Charlie is not helped by any of his sons in this.
This movie is quite spooky throughout and reminds me of The House On Haunted Hill in some parts, though we haven't got Vincent Price in this.
The cast includes Warner Oland as Charlie, who plays the part well as always.
Have a good fright with Charlie Chan's Secret. Excellent.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
one of the best Chan movies
r-c-s15 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
In my opinion this compares favourably to the best Chan movies. Of course one has to like the stereotypical device of rounding up many suspects to entrap the culprit, but this one has a simple yet solid plot line that unfolds nicely, is entangled but not confused like say the 'Olympics' movie is, in which conclusions literally fall from the sky. Heir to a fortune comes back after a long stay abroad in the French foreign legion only to be murdered while his relatives and ancillary characters (administrators, accountants, housekeepers etc ) gather to get in touch with spirits, the family's hobby...it turns out everybody would have something to loose from the heir's return, but the culprit is not whom we may expect at first sight. Acting serves the purpose well and the eerie atmosphere is nice. There is no 'number son' bit, which to me is quite a relief, while the comedy moment is provided by a clumsy butler who grimaces all the time. 1930s top-notch science returns when a UV projector is used, and the 'fake medium' bit will be copied nearly verbatim in the Houdini movie with Tony Curtis.
very good
blanche-25 February 2013
Warner Oland is Charlie Chan in "Charlie Chan's Secret" from 1936.
Charlie is attempting to ascertain whether a man named Allen Colby is dead or alive. After seven years of being away, he's announced to his family that he is on his way home to claim the family fortune. However, the ship that he is on sinks near Honolulu, and he is presumed drowned. But is he? Charlie sees in the journal Colby left behind that there have been attempts on his life. He heads for the family mansion.
There he sees the matriarch of the family (Henrietta Crosman) and other family members. Henrietta is involved with a psychic and has séances at her home to connect with her late husband. During one séance, the body of Allen appears - dead. It's the actual body -- he arrived home, was murdered, and then hidden until the séance. Charlie has to find the killer.
It's not hard to figure out the killer, but that doesn't make the film any less entertaining. Warner Oland was a delightful Chan, cheerful and funny, with more energy than the older Sidney Toler. The rest of the acting, with the exception of Crosman, isn't very good - in fact, it's bad -- but Oland keeps it going.
Some nice spooky elements, some sinister-looking people, and a fun mystery.
Charlie is attempting to ascertain whether a man named Allen Colby is dead or alive. After seven years of being away, he's announced to his family that he is on his way home to claim the family fortune. However, the ship that he is on sinks near Honolulu, and he is presumed drowned. But is he? Charlie sees in the journal Colby left behind that there have been attempts on his life. He heads for the family mansion.
There he sees the matriarch of the family (Henrietta Crosman) and other family members. Henrietta is involved with a psychic and has séances at her home to connect with her late husband. During one séance, the body of Allen appears - dead. It's the actual body -- he arrived home, was murdered, and then hidden until the séance. Charlie has to find the killer.
It's not hard to figure out the killer, but that doesn't make the film any less entertaining. Warner Oland was a delightful Chan, cheerful and funny, with more energy than the older Sidney Toler. The rest of the acting, with the exception of Crosman, isn't very good - in fact, it's bad -- but Oland keeps it going.
Some nice spooky elements, some sinister-looking people, and a fun mystery.
Charlie Chan and the Supernatural
binapiraeus7 March 2014
Now, I may be biased, but IMO "Charlie Chan's Secret" is one of the VERY best movies of the whole series. It masterfully mixes supernatural experiments, complete with Ouija-boards, mediums, séances in darkened rooms with ghastly 'apparitions' with a very REAL murder case - where the culprit finally isn't too hard to find out for an experienced crime fan; but it's the AMTOSPHERE that counts.
And without being a horror movie, this unique film has some exceptionally scary moments for which many a 'real' horror movie could certainly envy it. On the other hand, though, there's also the clear, logic reasoning of Charlie Chan and his co-star, Henrietta Crosman as Mrs. Lowell, who is a fervent believer in the communication with the dead, but also shows quite remarkable guts!
The murder victim is millionaire Allen Colby, who'd been away for years, but suddenly turns up again - much to the chagrin of his aunt's (Mrs. Lowell's) family, who had hoped to inherit his fortune, as well as to Mrs. Lowell's trusted psychic couple, which has already earned quite a nice sum from their obviously faked séances. Then there is janitor Ulrich, who'd hated Crosby ever since he'd seduced his daughter and then dropped her like an old glove, and the poor girl committed suicide, and Colby's lawyer and trustee Phelps... So, as we see, there are QUITE a lot of suspects to choose from! But since Charlie realizes that he'll never get a confession out of any of them, he decides to catch the murderer red-handed - and for that purpose, he applies a VERY clever trick: his 'secret', as the title suggests...
This movie REALLY holds you in its spell from the first to the last moment - and when there are moments without the creepiness of dark séance rooms in the old house especially prepared for those procedures, or the even darker secret passageways behind its walls, there are surprisingly welcome comical sequences provided by the ever-scared butler Baxter (Herbert Mundin)... Hollywood entertainment at its VERY best!!
And without being a horror movie, this unique film has some exceptionally scary moments for which many a 'real' horror movie could certainly envy it. On the other hand, though, there's also the clear, logic reasoning of Charlie Chan and his co-star, Henrietta Crosman as Mrs. Lowell, who is a fervent believer in the communication with the dead, but also shows quite remarkable guts!
The murder victim is millionaire Allen Colby, who'd been away for years, but suddenly turns up again - much to the chagrin of his aunt's (Mrs. Lowell's) family, who had hoped to inherit his fortune, as well as to Mrs. Lowell's trusted psychic couple, which has already earned quite a nice sum from their obviously faked séances. Then there is janitor Ulrich, who'd hated Crosby ever since he'd seduced his daughter and then dropped her like an old glove, and the poor girl committed suicide, and Colby's lawyer and trustee Phelps... So, as we see, there are QUITE a lot of suspects to choose from! But since Charlie realizes that he'll never get a confession out of any of them, he decides to catch the murderer red-handed - and for that purpose, he applies a VERY clever trick: his 'secret', as the title suggests...
This movie REALLY holds you in its spell from the first to the last moment - and when there are moments without the creepiness of dark séance rooms in the old house especially prepared for those procedures, or the even darker secret passageways behind its walls, there are surprisingly welcome comical sequences provided by the ever-scared butler Baxter (Herbert Mundin)... Hollywood entertainment at its VERY best!!
Where Was Keye Luke?
malvernp18 April 2010
"Charlie Chan's Secret" (1936) is unique. Its predecessor is "Charlie Chan in Shanghai" (1935)---which featured Keye Luke in his usual role as Number One Son. All the remaining Warner Oland films in the series up to his final entry, "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo" (1938), also had Keye Luke in the cast. However, "Charlie Chan's Secret", as others have pointed out, does not have Keye Luke on board. Rather, his "place" was taken (sort of) by the comic British actor, Herbert Mundin. Why did Keye Luke not appear in this film? Everyone seems to have missed him.
In the new DVD of "Charlie Chan's Secret", the extended commentary on the film fails to explain the cause of Keye Luke's absence-----only the fact that he does not show up in the film.
Is it possible that Keye Luke's void could be due to the fact that he was loaned by Twentieth Century Fox to M-G-M Studio around the same time to appear in the small but pivotal supporting role as Paul Muni's son in the classic Pearl Buck epic "The Good Earth" (1937)? Such loan out arrangements were not uncommon between studios in this period.
In any event, "Charlie Chan's Secret" survives his absence very nicely and emerges as a solid entry in the series with its own particular charm and entertainment value. But it does illustrate how the chemistry between Warner Oland and Keye Luke was very special and without doubt one of the greatest strengths of the "Charlie Chan" films.
In the new DVD of "Charlie Chan's Secret", the extended commentary on the film fails to explain the cause of Keye Luke's absence-----only the fact that he does not show up in the film.
Is it possible that Keye Luke's void could be due to the fact that he was loaned by Twentieth Century Fox to M-G-M Studio around the same time to appear in the small but pivotal supporting role as Paul Muni's son in the classic Pearl Buck epic "The Good Earth" (1937)? Such loan out arrangements were not uncommon between studios in this period.
In any event, "Charlie Chan's Secret" survives his absence very nicely and emerges as a solid entry in the series with its own particular charm and entertainment value. But it does illustrate how the chemistry between Warner Oland and Keye Luke was very special and without doubt one of the greatest strengths of the "Charlie Chan" films.
Séances in old house
Jim Tritten12 May 2002
Warner Oland in classic mystery set in old house with secret passages. Lots of clues and comic relief done extremely well by Herbert Mundin as butler Baxter. Story has sufficient twists and turns to keep interest and keep ending unpredictable. Chan brings multitude of suspects together in room at end: `Motive for recent murders like tangle of many strings, ends of which held by persons in this room.' Like in most Chan films, the missing clue that cinches the case is not revealed until the guilty party is in custody. Good lighting makes the séance scenes even spookier.' Recommended.
One of the best Chans
Loring14 August 2002
A murder is revealed at a seance. All in attendance had motive and opportunity. There are a lots of nice tricks employed at the seance that Charlie has to figure out. Even after a plethora of red herrings, it still could be anyone when all are assembled in a typical ending in which Charlie pulls a surprise to reveal the criminal. There is no #1 or #2 son here, and Herbert Mundin, as the butler, who stands in for #1 and #2 to provide the laughs, is really annoyingly silly, more in the mode of Mantan Moreland in the later bad Chan films only minus the racism. However, he gives the crusty matriarch of the family a chance to deliver some rib-tickling lines at his expense. Listen for them. Oland is the best of the Chans and performs the role with dignity and some humor. You get the feeling that, although he isn't a Chinese actor, he respects the character. No "Confucius Say" here. I enjoy watching this film now and again and think anyone into old-style mysteries will too.
10th outing for star Warner Oland as the title sleuth...
AlsExGal7 April 2021
From 20th Century-Fox and director Gordon Wiles. Chan (Oland) heads to the mainland from his home turf in Hawaii to help solve the mystery of a missing heir, and he gets wrapped up in the backstabbing of an eccentric, wealthy family involved in seances and other trappings of the paranormal.
Seances, ouija boards, voices from the beyond...it seems if a series goes on long enough, they have to do a spooky/horror entry, and Charlie Chan is no exception. He's dropped into a standard "old dark house" style mystery, with a big spooky house riddled with hidden passages, and a murderer on the loose. The supporting cast is capable if unmemorable. The mystery has enough twists to keep viewers guessing.
Seances, ouija boards, voices from the beyond...it seems if a series goes on long enough, they have to do a spooky/horror entry, and Charlie Chan is no exception. He's dropped into a standard "old dark house" style mystery, with a big spooky house riddled with hidden passages, and a murderer on the loose. The supporting cast is capable if unmemorable. The mystery has enough twists to keep viewers guessing.
Where Was No. 1 (or 2 or 3 or...) Son?
ccthemovieman-119 January 2008
I always enjoy listening to Charlie Chan quote his famous proverbs, or friendly digs to his kid or helper and I always appreciate his wonderful manners. Charlie's parents certainly taught him how to say "please," "thank you" and respect other human beings. He always carries himself in a gentlemanly manner. Mr. Chan never gets mad, just never loses his temper no matter what happens. He takes everything in stride.
I mention all of this because those were the main attributes to this story - his manner. Missing were two key ingredients that make Charlie Chan films fun to me: his kid (whoever he or she might be) and the humor.
This story didn't have any of Charlie's kids helping him and they were missed. It just wasn't the same without Number One Son either helping him or getting in his way. Also, where was the comedy? That, too, was sorely missed.
That isn't to say I still didn't enjoy the movie; I did, but it wasn't as much as most of them. I did appreciate the ending which was clever but not confusing. The story was fair-at-best, and sometimes all these occult-type themes get tiresome, at least when these séance scenes get silly, as they did in this film. Still, some parts will get your attention, such as a missing man suddenly showing up at the reading of the will, and then moments later being killed!
Overall, a more serious "Chan" story that fans of "B" horror flicks might enjoy more than those of us who want a little humor and kinship along with our Charlie Chan fables.
I mention all of this because those were the main attributes to this story - his manner. Missing were two key ingredients that make Charlie Chan films fun to me: his kid (whoever he or she might be) and the humor.
This story didn't have any of Charlie's kids helping him and they were missed. It just wasn't the same without Number One Son either helping him or getting in his way. Also, where was the comedy? That, too, was sorely missed.
That isn't to say I still didn't enjoy the movie; I did, but it wasn't as much as most of them. I did appreciate the ending which was clever but not confusing. The story was fair-at-best, and sometimes all these occult-type themes get tiresome, at least when these séance scenes get silly, as they did in this film. Still, some parts will get your attention, such as a missing man suddenly showing up at the reading of the will, and then moments later being killed!
Overall, a more serious "Chan" story that fans of "B" horror flicks might enjoy more than those of us who want a little humor and kinship along with our Charlie Chan fables.
"Fingerprints very valuable if detective can catch owner of fingers."
utgard1423 February 2014
A missing heir shows up and is promptly killed before he can collect his inheritance. Now Charlie has to investigate his greedy family to figure out which one is the murderer. This one's got séances and psychics and a nice little mystery. For some reason, a lot of fans seem to dislike this movie. I'll admit it's not in my top five favorite Warner Oland Chan films but it's still good. The biggest problem is that Keye Luke isn't in this one. Instead we have generic comic relief Baxter the scaredy-cat butler (Herbert Mundin). At least he's not Stepin Fetchit! If you're a Charlie Chan fan, you've probably already seen this one. If you haven't or if you're new to Charlie Chan films, this is a good entry in the series. Not the best but an enjoyable way to spend an hour and change.
Good Entry in the Series
Michael_Elliott15 July 2015
Charlie Chan's Secret (1936)
*** (out of 4)
Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) is investigating the death of a man but it turns out that he's actually alive. However, shortly after Chan finds this out the man is murdered. By the man really being dead a large group of people will lose out on a sum of money so soon others begin getting murdered to cover something up.
CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET was certainly a major rebound from the previous entry in the series and while there are some flaws here, overall this is a very strong entry into the series thanks in large part to the screenplay, the strong supporting cast and some nice touches by the director. There are some very effective moments to be found in this entry including the ending, which I obviously won't spoil for people who haven't seen the film but it's a great one. Also worth noting is a terrific sequence at the start of the film during a psychic reading where a body appears. How many films from this era featured a psychic reading? Well, this here might be the very best of the bunch.
The story itself is quite strong and allows for some pretty good suspects to come into play. Another plus is that the performances are so good with OIand once again hitting a grand slam in the role of Chan. The supporting players are just as good including Henrietta Crosman in the role of the leader of the family. Jonathan Hale is also a stand out as is Rosina Lawrence and Herbert Mundin as a scared butler.
CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET manages to build up quite a few memorable moments making it one of the best in the series.
*** (out of 4)
Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) is investigating the death of a man but it turns out that he's actually alive. However, shortly after Chan finds this out the man is murdered. By the man really being dead a large group of people will lose out on a sum of money so soon others begin getting murdered to cover something up.
CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET was certainly a major rebound from the previous entry in the series and while there are some flaws here, overall this is a very strong entry into the series thanks in large part to the screenplay, the strong supporting cast and some nice touches by the director. There are some very effective moments to be found in this entry including the ending, which I obviously won't spoil for people who haven't seen the film but it's a great one. Also worth noting is a terrific sequence at the start of the film during a psychic reading where a body appears. How many films from this era featured a psychic reading? Well, this here might be the very best of the bunch.
The story itself is quite strong and allows for some pretty good suspects to come into play. Another plus is that the performances are so good with OIand once again hitting a grand slam in the role of Chan. The supporting players are just as good including Henrietta Crosman in the role of the leader of the family. Jonathan Hale is also a stand out as is Rosina Lawrence and Herbert Mundin as a scared butler.
CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET manages to build up quite a few memorable moments making it one of the best in the series.
Detective Chan saves a family fortune,
michaelRokeefe6 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Ace sleuth Charlie Chan(Warner Oland) has been summoned by Henrietta Lowell(Henriettta Crosman), the matriarch of a wealthy family to help clear up the disappearance of her son Alan Colby(Jerry Miley), who has not been seen for seven years. A vast fortune is at stake of being divided. He returns home to only be murdered before claiming his inheritance. Next Mrs. Lowell's life is in harm's way. A creepy family mansion sets the scene for a couple of insightful séances. Several persons have greedy reasons for getting their hands on the money. Chan is there to right any wrongs; clearing up mystery and murder. Other players include: Rosina Lawrence, Charles Quigley, Astrid Allwyn, Jonathan Hale, Egon Brecher and Herbert Mundin.
Plenty of trick devices
greenbudgie19 February 2021
A diver retrieves a brief case belonging to Allen Corby at the site of the sinking of the SS Nestor seven years earlier. Included in it's contents is a letter written by Corby showing that he felt that his life was in danger before he disappeared from the ship. Chan on board of the salvage boat comes into the possession of this letter and radiograms his friend Henrietta Lowell who is Corby's aunt. He travels to San Francisco to visit her just in time to attend one of her seances at the unoccupied Corby House. During the seance the murdered body of Allen Corby is discovered and it becomes apparent that Corby had just returned to claim his rightful inheritance after seven years.
I didn't find the characters really sinister enough for my tastes even though they are all under suspicion. My favorite character is Baxter the butler who is definitely not the sinister type of butler who can usually be found in 1930s mysteries. Instead he is a very nervous type who has to assist Henrietta with her private ouija board sessions even though he can't stand that sort of spooky thing. Among the other characters are the resentful caretaker Ulrich who spends more time at the eerie empty Corby House than anybody else. And Professor Bowan the psychic researcher and his wife Carlotta who seems to genuinely believe in her psychic gifts as a medium.
There is plenty of trick devices going on in this Chan mystery including electrical riggings and a mirror and a self-activing rifle. And how Chan gets the murderer to show themselves in a roomful of suspects at the end is good. I have to say there is one plot device that I saw through quite easily even though I still wasn't sure of the killer's identity. So it's not really one of the best whodunits but it's still good to see Charlie at work and come up with a clever trick at the end that incriminates the murderer.
I didn't find the characters really sinister enough for my tastes even though they are all under suspicion. My favorite character is Baxter the butler who is definitely not the sinister type of butler who can usually be found in 1930s mysteries. Instead he is a very nervous type who has to assist Henrietta with her private ouija board sessions even though he can't stand that sort of spooky thing. Among the other characters are the resentful caretaker Ulrich who spends more time at the eerie empty Corby House than anybody else. And Professor Bowan the psychic researcher and his wife Carlotta who seems to genuinely believe in her psychic gifts as a medium.
There is plenty of trick devices going on in this Chan mystery including electrical riggings and a mirror and a self-activing rifle. And how Chan gets the murderer to show themselves in a roomful of suspects at the end is good. I have to say there is one plot device that I saw through quite easily even though I still wasn't sure of the killer's identity. So it's not really one of the best whodunits but it's still good to see Charlie at work and come up with a clever trick at the end that incriminates the murderer.
Charlie Chan's Secret was another enjoyable entry in the Warner Oland film series
tavm21 February 2010
This review is the second of a series of such that I'm devoting to the films of the Charlie Chan franchise. Once again, Warner Oland portrays the famous Chinese detective with his humor and intelligence intact. This time, he's investigating the possible reappearance of one Allen Colby (Jerry Miley) for an inheritance. But there are many associates of his that would rather he not show up...This was another enjoyable Chan entry I liked especially when Herbert Mundin as butler Baxter does some grimaces whenever he has to do something he doesn't want to do. He gets quite funnier with each appearance. And Henrietta Crossman is also fine as an old friend of Charlie's who gets pertinent info about certain things from him. All in all, I rather found Charlie Chan's Secret very good overall. P.S. I feel the need to mention another player from my birthtown of Chicago, Ill., here. This time, it's James T. Mack as the fingerprint man. Also, the coroner played by Landers Stevens is the father of director George Stevens. The lawyer, Warren T. Phelps, is played by Jonathan Hale who a year later would begin essaying his best known role, that of J.C. Dithers in the Blondie movie series. And Rosina Lawrence-who's Alice Lowel here-would eventually become Our Gang/Little Rascals new teacher and appear with Laurel & Hardy in their classic, Way Out West. She'd also decades later marry the man who chronicled the comic duo's lives and careers in books, John McCabe.
Great setting and concept, but not as satisfying as it should have been.
admjtk170116 April 2000
Although I love Warner Oland as Chan, this one is a bit of a disappointment. The idea of seances at a mysterious mansion seems like it should be one of the best films of the series. However, it comes off a bit slow moving and doesn't quite capture the mood it should have. I also missed Keye Luke as No. 1 Son. It isn't a bad film or mystery. But it doesn't compare to the many great Chans of Oland and Toler. An interesting historical note is a quick shot of the Golden Gate Bridge--still under construction--as Chan flies into San Francisco. The bridge was completed in 1937 and is seen here in 1935 when the film was made. This one is fun, but should have been better!
An inconvenient reappearance
bkoganbing6 June 2013
Charlie Chan's Secret reminds me a bit of Random Harvest in that it dealt with a man who disappeared and then reappeared to claim the family title and fortune. There was a bit of grumbling when Ronald Colman reappeared in that film, but the Rainer family accepted him soon enough.
That was hardly the case for the heir in this film. Warner Oland first gets involved in the case when the heir is reported lost at sea off Honolulu. Oland then flies to San Francisco to make his report and the heir reappears only to be knifed to death.
His reappearance upset a lot of people or at the very least caused them great inconvenience. Mother Henriette Crossman was a believer in psychics and a pair of them Gloria Roy and Arthur Carew have been operating a con game at her expense. But there's also a daughter and husband, a disgruntled family caretaker, a lawyer and a business manager whose lives would also be upset by a reappearance of the heir. The usual stew of suspects.
Who is not a suspect is Herbert Mundin who was a delightful British music hall performer who played a variety of milquetoast like characters in many Hollywood films. He's the butler and in this film, one where none of Charlie Chan's sons appear, he plays the comic foil for Warner Oland and Mundin is his usual funny self.
A clever Chan ruse unmasks the killer. This is one of the best of Charlie Chan features.
That was hardly the case for the heir in this film. Warner Oland first gets involved in the case when the heir is reported lost at sea off Honolulu. Oland then flies to San Francisco to make his report and the heir reappears only to be knifed to death.
His reappearance upset a lot of people or at the very least caused them great inconvenience. Mother Henriette Crossman was a believer in psychics and a pair of them Gloria Roy and Arthur Carew have been operating a con game at her expense. But there's also a daughter and husband, a disgruntled family caretaker, a lawyer and a business manager whose lives would also be upset by a reappearance of the heir. The usual stew of suspects.
Who is not a suspect is Herbert Mundin who was a delightful British music hall performer who played a variety of milquetoast like characters in many Hollywood films. He's the butler and in this film, one where none of Charlie Chan's sons appear, he plays the comic foil for Warner Oland and Mundin is his usual funny self.
A clever Chan ruse unmasks the killer. This is one of the best of Charlie Chan features.
The Old Dark House.
rmax3048236 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Gordon Wiles didn't have much of a career as a director but he came from the ranks of production designers, of all things, and it shows in this inexpensive murder mystery set in a dilapidated San Francisco mansion. Almost the entire movie takes place in this big house. Well, in one big room, actually, as in a play.
But what a room it is. The production designer is responsible for the "look" of the sets -- the design of the rooms and ceilings, the furniture, the decor. This one has doors you must stoop to walk through. There are melancholy underground passages reached through hidden doors. There are ancient chandeliers with hidden radio speakers. The ceilings slope down to waist height. And they have exposed beams, like a Tudor house. There are tables with statues on them. The statues must have taken an archaeologist to find them in the Fox basements. Gargoyles stick out of the discolored walls.
You may or may not notice all this stuff because there are actors moving around in the sets, talking to each other, gesturing, sometimes holding a séance or throwing a knife or firing a pistol.
The problem is that a terribly rich man, who has been missing for years, shows up just at the time his will is about to be read. Half a dozen people gather at the mansion to hear the will. So does the mogul, but he's immediately murdered. And everybody present seems to have had a motive. It's up to Charlie Chan to unravel the mystery, and he does so without the zealous help of an Enumerated Son. One highly suspicious character is the caretaker, Egon Brecher. I would like to see Egon Brecher go mano a mano with Max Schreck. The comic sidekick role is taken by Herbert Mundin as a frightened English butler. You'll recognize him as Munch the Miller's Son in "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the one starring Errol Flynn. Award for most striking-looking performer goes to (envelope, please) -- yes -- Henrietta Crosman as Henrietta Lowell, just as I thought. She's unforgettable. An old lady, her hair was snowy white but her eyebrows were dark and formed a straight line across her brows, as if she were some raving paranoid. Her irises were the color of anthracite. She looks a lot more like a heavy than a pal of Charlie's.
Since it's an inexpensive B film, you won't find much in the way of originality. These cheap movies were designed to be shown as a second feature, on a double bill with a more lavishly budgeted film that was colossal in scope, stupendous in impact, featuring thousands of extras and a major director who did not come out of production design. The lights and cameras were put in place. The director called "Action." The actors hit their marks, did what they were told to do, said their lines, and -- "Cut." One take.
But what a room it is. The production designer is responsible for the "look" of the sets -- the design of the rooms and ceilings, the furniture, the decor. This one has doors you must stoop to walk through. There are melancholy underground passages reached through hidden doors. There are ancient chandeliers with hidden radio speakers. The ceilings slope down to waist height. And they have exposed beams, like a Tudor house. There are tables with statues on them. The statues must have taken an archaeologist to find them in the Fox basements. Gargoyles stick out of the discolored walls.
You may or may not notice all this stuff because there are actors moving around in the sets, talking to each other, gesturing, sometimes holding a séance or throwing a knife or firing a pistol.
The problem is that a terribly rich man, who has been missing for years, shows up just at the time his will is about to be read. Half a dozen people gather at the mansion to hear the will. So does the mogul, but he's immediately murdered. And everybody present seems to have had a motive. It's up to Charlie Chan to unravel the mystery, and he does so without the zealous help of an Enumerated Son. One highly suspicious character is the caretaker, Egon Brecher. I would like to see Egon Brecher go mano a mano with Max Schreck. The comic sidekick role is taken by Herbert Mundin as a frightened English butler. You'll recognize him as Munch the Miller's Son in "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the one starring Errol Flynn. Award for most striking-looking performer goes to (envelope, please) -- yes -- Henrietta Crosman as Henrietta Lowell, just as I thought. She's unforgettable. An old lady, her hair was snowy white but her eyebrows were dark and formed a straight line across her brows, as if she were some raving paranoid. Her irises were the color of anthracite. She looks a lot more like a heavy than a pal of Charlie's.
Since it's an inexpensive B film, you won't find much in the way of originality. These cheap movies were designed to be shown as a second feature, on a double bill with a more lavishly budgeted film that was colossal in scope, stupendous in impact, featuring thousands of extras and a major director who did not come out of production design. The lights and cameras were put in place. The director called "Action." The actors hit their marks, did what they were told to do, said their lines, and -- "Cut." One take.
The Comic Relief in "Secret" Is Great!
JohnHowardReid14 July 2008
I'm always a pushover for spooky old house mysteries, and this is one of the best, not so much for the intriguing puzzle itself but for the creepy noir atmosphere conjured up by Rudolph Maté's superlative cinematography (reminiscent of his work on Dreyer's Vampyr) and the marvelously bizarre background created by Hogsett and Cramer.
I like the screenplay and I love the cast too, especially Herbert Mundin, one of my favorite character actors. For once he has a major role and even figures most inventively at the climax. Warner Oland dispenses his customary bon mots with ease, while Gloria Roy steers a remarkably skillful line in making her "used" medium a sympathetic oddball.
My only quarrel is with director Gordon Wiles, the art director that William K. Howard and Jimmy Wong Howe had all the trouble with on Transatlantic and for which, after fighting Howard and Howe all the way, he then won the industry's big award! Mr Wiles was obviously not a man open to experimentation unless someone forced him into it. Left to his own devices, Wiles always preferred the safe, conservative approach. His record as a director is not an impressive one and Charlie Chan's Secret is the highlight of that 11-picture interlude from which he was rescued by Albert Lewin for whom he designed The Moon and Sixpence, The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Private Affairs of Bel Ami.
I like the screenplay and I love the cast too, especially Herbert Mundin, one of my favorite character actors. For once he has a major role and even figures most inventively at the climax. Warner Oland dispenses his customary bon mots with ease, while Gloria Roy steers a remarkably skillful line in making her "used" medium a sympathetic oddball.
My only quarrel is with director Gordon Wiles, the art director that William K. Howard and Jimmy Wong Howe had all the trouble with on Transatlantic and for which, after fighting Howard and Howe all the way, he then won the industry's big award! Mr Wiles was obviously not a man open to experimentation unless someone forced him into it. Left to his own devices, Wiles always preferred the safe, conservative approach. His record as a director is not an impressive one and Charlie Chan's Secret is the highlight of that 11-picture interlude from which he was rescued by Albert Lewin for whom he designed The Moon and Sixpence, The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Private Affairs of Bel Ami.
A quite presentable Charlie Chan mystery
gridoon20246 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
One of the better early Charlie Chan entries, with some spooky atmospherics (even if you know immediately that the psychics are fakes), some twists, and an outcome that may be surprising precisely because it names as the guilty party one of the most suspicious characters! Major debit: the butler's unsuccessful comic relief. My favorite Chan line: "Best place for skeleton is in family closet". **1/2 out of 4.
The film's mediocrity is no secret.
Mike-76429 December 2004
Henrietta Lowell hires Charlie Chan to find word on what happened to her nephew, Allen Colby, who disappeared years ago. Colby, presumed drowned in a recent accident, makes his way back to the family's San Francisco estate, but is killed as soon as he enters. Mrs. Lowell (who like her deceased brother is into psychic research) conducts a seance to locate her nephew, but Colby's corpse appears, and Charlie and the police must find out who the murderer is. The suspects include many of the Lowell family since Colby would inherit the estate and money and even Mrs. Lowell, since Colby was the one member of the family who didn't believe in psychic phenomenon, which also makes mediums Prof. Bowen and assistant Carlotta suspects. Mrs. Lowell decides to cut several members of the family from her will, which puts her life in danger. When Mrs. Lowell is killed, the family blames Charlie for the accident, but the great detective has a plan to uncover the murderer. The film is a letdown from many of the other entries in the series since there is less mystery, suspense, or intrigue in this entry. Keye Luke was missing from the series and comic relief in the form of Herbert Mundin leaves the film rather dry. The revelation of the murderer was one where anyone could have been the murderer. Rating, 5.
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