Prichards12345 Charlie Chan in Shanghai sees Charlie on the trail of opium smugglers, and the movie itself is fairly action orientated rather than a sedate murder mystery. Charlie himself and his number one son Lee (Keye Luke) end up being kidnapped by the gang, who of course have a mysterious leader plotting to kill Charlie himself...Early on, following a warning, there's an attempt on Chan's life, and the film moves briskly along; another fine performance from Warner Oland helps see it home. In truth, though I figured out what was happening and nailed the villain's identity fairly quickly. Once again action is the order of the day as Charlie and the police have a shootout with the gang at the film's conclusion, in which they are quickly rounded up.This is a decent Chan movie; but I've lowered my mark a little because I guessed who the main killer was. Enjoying the series immensely overall.

bkoganbing Before Charlie Chan was in Shanghai, someone tries to kill Warner Oland on the boat from Hawaii. Even villains can get some unfriendly vibes at times.Charlie Chan In Shanghai, the only time that the famous detective actually was in the land of his ancestors in the film series, finds Warner Oland and Keye Luke going there to help stamp out an opium smuggling ring. They are summoned there by a Scotland Yard Inspector who gets himself shot and killed during a banquet by means of a booby trapped box. The suspect pool was a little thin in this particular movie which doesn't make it quite rise to the level of some of the other Oland and Sidney Toler features from Fox. It was also the last film released under the Fox film banner, henceforth all productions would be under the new reorganized 20th Century Fox.As the villains also seemed to know every move that Oland was making for a while you know they had to have some inside help which also narrows the suspect pool. I think you'll figure it out way before the end.Still Oland is at his inscrutable best in this feature.

Michael O'Keefe Master detective Charlie Chan(Warner Oland) is in the need of a much deserved vacation, but before it really gets started, his services are summoned. When a good friend begins his keynote speech at a banquet is shot dead, who else would be the better man to investigate? Charlie works close with the local constabulary, while of course getting hapless aid from his Number-One-Son Lee(Keye Luke), in following clues that lead to an opium smuggling ring being behind the murder. This follows a becoming standard formula Chan mystery, but brief Shanghai scenery and comic antics of Luke make for another interesting story. At this time you just couldn't go wrong with a Charlie Chan movie. Other players featured are: Charles Locher, Irene Harvey, Jon Hall, Max Wagner and Hallwell Hobbes.

bensonmum2 Charlie Chan arrives in Shanghai to help an old friend with opium smugglers. But when his friend (One thing you learn if you've seen enough of the Chan films – it sucks to be one of Chan's old friends. You've got the lifespan of a fruit fly!) is murdered, Charlie realizes just how dangerous his quarry is. With the help of #1 son Lee, can Charlie catch a killer and put a stop to a ring of drug smugglers in the process? As far as Charlie Chan movies go, Charlie Chan in Shanghai is what I would call slightly below average and one of the weakest of the Warner Oland Chan films. It's watchable enough if you like these movies, but it's nowhere near as good as the best of the series. While it's got most the usual trappings you would expect from a Charlie Chan movie, it lacks an effective central murder case with all the red herrings, suspects, and intrigue that entails. The ring of drug smugglers doesn't provide an adequate substitute. One interesting aspect of Charlie Chan in Shanghai is the development of a more human, caring version of Charlie Chan. First, we get to see Charlie sing a neat little song to the children on board the ship he's traveling. Second, Charlie seems to show a great deal of affection for his son Lee. While both are oddities, neither event is unwelcome.