CHARLIE CHAN IN LONDON

US, 1934, 79 minutes, Black and white.
Warner Oland, Drue Leyton, Ray Milland, Mona Barrie, E.E.Clive, Alan Mowbray.
Directed by Eugene Forde.

Charlie Chan in London is one of a series of Charlie Chan features from the 30s with the actor Warner Oland. The series was to continue into the 40s with Sydney Tafler. This is B budget filmmaking in the early days of sound. The screenplay seems to be based on the stage conventions often used in filmmaking at the time. It seems highly contrived. However, there is some enjoyment in seeing the wily oriental detective in London and solving the murder mystery. Included in the cast is a very young Raymond Milland who is the romantic hero.

1. Enjoyable Charlie Chan detective story? Popularity of the series in its time? The parallels with other detective series from Conan Doyle stories to Mr Moto?

2. Black and white photography, B budget, stylised film-making? Using the conventions of theatre and drawing room dramas? Musical score?

3. The popularity of Charlie Chan, the detective from the Orient, his presence in England, his ability to notice clues, his following the clues, the revelation of the mystery?

4. The opening with the condemned man in prison, his sister's grief, getting Neil to help? Neil as his defence lawyer - but revealed as believing that he was guilty? Pamela's disillusionment? Her approaching Charlie Chan? His taking on of the case?

5. The visit to the country estate? Geoffrey as the host, his relationship with Mary? Attempts to reconstruct the crime? The information about the victim, the airfield, the development of aviation, state secrets? The range of suspects? Charlie Chan and his interrogation of the people in the house, of the aviation personal? The conflicting testimony?

6. Pamela and Neil, the investigations, her disbelief, reconciled with Neil? The release of her brother?

7. Jardine and the other men at the house, the clues, suspicions?

8. The inspector and his helping Charlie Chan, local interrogations, helping with the conspiracy to unmask the villain?

9. The hunt, English country life, Mary and the attempt on her life?

10. The focus on Geoffrey, the host, above suspicion, his relationship with Mary? The information given him about the documents? His waPring into the trap, unmasked, the German spy?

11. The popularity of this kind of murder mystery? The creaky conventions of the time - an interesting example of popular entertainment of the early 30s?