Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) investigates the locked-room murder of wealthy chess expert Thomas P. Manning (Sam Flint). He has little time to do so, as he must head back to Washington in a couple days to continue his war work. There’s a moderately effective use of a funhouse setting — I always enjoy it when …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>The Chinese Cat</em> (1944)”
Old Cassie Denham has invited her relatives, who had unsuccessfully tried to have committed, to come to her house, ostensibly so she can decide who will be her heir. Murder soon ensues. After the first killing, Reporter Bob White (Wallace Ford) arrives after the first killing, and he, together with his girlfriend and his photographer, …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>Murder by Invitation</em> (1941)”
After a hiatus, star Sidney Toler brought Charlie Chan to Monogram Pictures in this wartime mystery. A inventor working on an advanced torpedo design is killed for the plans of his invention, though the exact means of the crime are unclear initially. Charlie is called upon to sift through a houseful of suspects, including a …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>Charlie Chan in the Secret Service</em> (1944)”
Mountie Rod Webb (Kirby Grant) investigates attacks by a wolf, and his pal Chinook (“the Wonder Dog”) thus gets a chance to face a canine combatant. This well-scripted entry in the series moves along at a good clip, with plenty of action and interest. Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.
Bad guys set their sights on a stage line owned by a supposed widow, Mary Croft (Claire Whitney), whose husband, Patrick Collins (Steve Clark), is actually in prison. The crooks are helped by an inside man, Lance Regan (Douglas Evans), who met Mary and Patrick’s daughter, Pat Croft (Jan Bryant), on a stage and who …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>Cowboy Cavalier</em> (1948)”
A muddled mess of a mystery from Monogram has the “Curse of Kali” striking down those who claim a share in riches that an archaeologist who has gone bad, and who is now in a wheelchair, brought back from his expedition. The performers and the performances are undistinguished at best. Even the presence of a …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>House of Mystery</em> (1934)”
Mountie Rod Webb (Kirby Grant) investigates a murder with the help of his dog Chinook; he is also aided by the victim’s niece (Martha Hyer). This is another enjoyable entry in our dog’s favorite movie series. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK.
After a friend is killed in the boxing ring, the Bowery Boys (Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and the rest) go after crooked fight promoters. Frankie Darro has a decent role as a comeback kid with a tie to the victim, and Lyle Talbot makes an effective heavy. The thirteenth entry in the series is a …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>Fighting Fools</em> (1949)”
Bela Lugosi plays wealthy and respected Charles Kessler, who was deserted by his wife (Betty Compson) years before. From time to time, Kessler is gripped by a homicidal mania that is set off when he sees his wife wandering around his mansion’s grounds. (Unbeknownst to Kessler, his wife is being hidden and cared for by …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>Invisible Ghost</em> (1941)”
The final film in Monogram’s James Lee Wong series of mysteries breaks with the previous pictures in what amounts to a “reboot.” Keye Luke takes over the role of the detective from Boris Karloff, and though Grant Withers does reappear as Captain Street, Bobbie Logan (Marjorie Reynolds), his foil and romantic interest in the previous …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>Phantom of Chinatown</em> (1940)”
