An evocative atmosphere blending mystery with horror is a highlight of this entry in the Charlie Chan series, as the sleuth (Warner Oland) travels to Egypt to investigate illicit sales of artifacts found in an excavation but encounters a disappearance and murder as well. Strong support is provided by Frank Conroy (as a professor connected …
The Spider (1931)
An efficient but unmemorable little mystery, The Spider stars Edmund Lowe as magician Chatrand (just a year before his similar role in Chandu the Magician, also from Fox), who becomes involved in solving a murder that occurred during the midst of one of his performances, There are both expected and unexpected developments during the film’s …
Charlie Chan in Paris (Fox, 1935)
Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) travels to Paris to investigate counterfeit bonds and ends up in murder inquiries as well, aided by son Lee (Keye Luke), after a shock killing in a nightclub. Erik Rhodes, perhaps best known from his roles in The Gay Divorcee and Top Hat, has an excellent part in this one. Clever …
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Charlie Chan in London (Fox, 1934)
This solid early surviving entry in the long-running Charlie Chan series sees the famed detective visiting England and racing against time to save a young man, convicted of murder, from the gallows — a task made more difficult by the fact that everyone save the man’s sister, and not excepting his defense counsel, believes him …
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The Black Camel (Fox, 1931)
Movie star Shelah Fane (Dorothy Revier), who is contemplating marriage to Alan Jaynes (William Post, Jr.) but whose past connection with the death of actor Denny Mayo weighs upon her, is found murdered in her pavilion ahead of an evening party. Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) investigates, with no help from his offspring — such less …
The Great Hotel Murder (Fox, 1935)
When a guest meets his doom via poison during a medical convention at a big hotel, mystery novelist Roger Blackwood (Edmund Lowe) and hotel detective Andy McCabe (Victor McLaglen) extend their good-natured rivalry to competing to find the guilty party — and there is no shortage of suspects. Lowe and McLaglen, who teamed in 10 …
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