blanche-2 Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) and son Lee Chan (Keye Luke) become involved "At the Race Track," from 1936.When a friend of Charlie's is murdered by his race horse on board ship, Charlie is asked to investigate when the ocean liner stops in Honolulu. Looking at the horse's stall, Charlie doubts the horse had anything to do with it -- this was a human's doing.His investigation continues, and Charlie and Lee board ship and travel to Santa Anita raceway to continue their investigation. He soon discovers fraud and a nefarious gambling ring, and he has to ferret out a murderer.This is a very lively and fun Charlie Chan, with Lee posing as an attendant on the ship to find the typewriter on which threatening notes were typed; and later, at a crucial point, he drives a Chinese laundry truck. Charlie, meanwhile, is shot in the leg and laid up for part of the film.Some excellent racing footage and beautiful horses are also shown.It's not perfect. A horse falls, and I absolutely hate seeing that. They would trip them with chicken wire, and it was quite cruel. The second and more egregious thing, particularly by today's standards but I think it might have been embarrassing even then, was the role of the black stable boy, done as a Stepinfetchit type character. Cringe-worthy. Frankly, I liked it much better when Mantan Moreland came on as Birmingham. First of all, he was hilarious, and secondly, he was treated as an equal. Yes, he had some scenes where he was supposedly afraid of his shadow, but it was better than what is in this film.Oland is a warmer Chan than Sidney Toler, though both brought a great deal to the role. There is something a little less intimidating about Oland."Charlie Chan at the Race Track" is very enjoyable, somewhat reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes story "Silver Blaze" -- so that's probably why the story is so good.

Isnam777 If you've read my title you'll know you're going to hear praise for this Chan entry. You should know this is the one Chan film I could watch over and over and never tire of it. The entire Chan series is great, but this entry is perfect in my view.Charlie's old friend Major Gordon Kent, former owner and promoter of champion race horse Avalanche, is killed after getting too close to a gambling syndicate responsible for his horse's defeat in its latest race. Chan is called in when Kent's ocean liner reaches port in Honolulu. What initially is believed to be an accidental death blamed on Avalanche stomping Kent to death is quickly proved to be murder by the clever Chan. As the ocean voyage continues on to Los Angeles, Chan (along with #1 son Lee) come aboard to try and solve the murder before the horse's next race in California. As Chan closes in on the killer (and the gambling syndicate) his life and the life of his son are put into jeopardy. Despite all this will Chan and son stop the syndicate's ultimate plan from succeeding, and will justice be found for Kent's murder? It all comes to a whirlwind conclusion as Chan finally solves the puzzle and figures out the many angles of this mystery.This entry is such a good one because it contains so many elements of my favorite Chan films. We have Chan and #1 son working as a team, a good portion of the story takes place on a passenger ship, the movie beginning in Honolulu but ending in another part of the world, there are more than one angles involved with the murder only playing a piece of the bigger puzzle, Gangsters, cool action sequences, a great cast and director, a romantic diversion... everything that I have liked about previous entries wrapped up into one, and neatly done as well.For my money, this is the gold of an already great film series. If you like Chan films, or great classic mystery movies from this era in Hollywood, watch this one!

MartinHafer This film begins with Chan in Honolulu giving a forensics lecture to policemen. However, Lee Chan (Charlie's "Number One Son") interrupts to announce that "the big race is about to begin and I've got a hot tip"--at which point all the cops turn on the radio and begin cheering. Oddly, the race is being held in Australia and I find it hard to believe the people in Hawaii would care THAT much! Later, when the horse is on its way to the West Coast of the US, the ship with the horse is met by Charlie Chan since the man who raised the horse has been killed and he was a friend of Chan. Although it appears that he was kicked to death by his prize horse, Charlie quickly deduces that it was murder! It seems that a gambling syndicate is heavily involved in murder and mayhem in an attempt to make a huge haul at an upcoming race and it's up to Charlie to unravel it all and make sure the guilty pay.Compared to other Chan films, this one has a much better plot, though the plot has been used, in part, before. While complex, the plot is quite thrilling and does a lot to help the film. Additionally, the best of the Chan sidekicks, Number One Son ('Lee') is on hand to provide some comic relief and occasional assistance.Excellent acting, pacing and plot--this one is a triple crown winner of a B-movie.

Jim Tritten Like a breath of fresh air, director H. Bruce Humberstone breathes new life into the Warner Oland Chan series. A good murder mystery, and one that the viewer might actually solve if s/he is very observant, we are treated to Chan and No. 1 son Lee crossing swords with a gambling syndicate and ultimately unmasking their leader. `No man is poor who have worthy son.' We know that a horse has been manipulated and abused by its trainer Bagley but we still do not know who is the brains and money behind it all even after the gang is arrested. Chan outsmarts and outwits the leader who is tricked into revelation. Although this final exposure is initially unseen by the audience, there is a major clue played out earlier that should lead the viewer to suspect the right person – if you are watching. And of course there are many misleading clues: `Roots of tree lead in many directions.' Chan and son escape assault and kidnapping and Lee again gets to demonstrate his ability at disguise – this time as a Chinese laundry man. Lee gets to drive the laundry truck much as we have seen in earlier Mack Sennett comedies. Like in many Chan movies, portrayal of black stable boy with monkey must have been more acceptable to audiences of the time but today should simply be cut. Similarly Chan says at end: `Good wife best household furniture' brought a remark from my wife. Perhaps that too should be cut for today's audience. Minor note is that the director appears as one of the gang. Much better than most of this series. Recommended.