Colorized Detective/Mystery Movies

Charlie Chan at the Opera is considered by many to be the best Warner Oland Charlie Chan film, probably due to the presence of Boris Karloff as the principal suspect, as well as faux operatic music composed by Oscar Levant. This is the 13th film starring Oland as Chan; it was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone for 20th Century-Fox in 1936. Oland and Demarest also appeared in The Jazz Singer (1927). Plot Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) gets a chance to watch a popular opera performance. For seven years, opera star Gravelle (Boris Karloff) has been locked in an insane asylum, his identity a mystery – even to himself. But when his memory unexpectedly returns, he begins to recall that his wife and her lover tried to murder him – and now he's determined to make them face the music. Gravelle escapes from the asylum and makes his way to the San Marco opera house and begins hiding out in the various rooms and passageways. Soon, members of the opera company are being murdered one by one. Chan soon investigates the killings and despite the presence of Gravelle, there are other suspects who may be the real killer. The suspects, excluding Gravelle, include Lilli Rochelle, the opera company's prima donna who has been having a secret affair with Enrico Barelli, the baritone; Mr. Whitely, Madame Rochelle's husband who has warned Barelli to stay away from his wife; Anita Barelli, the opera company's number two soprano who has learned of her husband's affair with Lilli Rochelle; and Phil Childers, the fiancée of Lilli's unacknowledged daughter who has been refused permission to marry the daughter. Clues found by Chan to apprehend the killer include a torn newspaper, a charred note, a heel mark on a newspaper picture, and a bloodstained belt. Among the questions asked are who has been threatening Lilli Rochelle's life, the mystery man in Barelli's dressing room before he is murdered, and why does Chan insist that the opera be performed twice in one evening? Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan Boris Karloff as Gravelle Keye Luke as Lee Chan, (Chan's "Number 1 Son") Charlotte Henry as Mlle. Kitty William Demarest as Sergeant Kelly Guy Usher as Inspector Regan Margaret Irving as Lilli Rochelle Gregory Gaye as Enrico Borelli Nedda Harrigan as Anita Borelli Frank Conroy as Mr. Whitely Stanley Blystone as Backstage Cop (uncredited) Gladden James as Secretary (uncredited)

The Black Camel is a 1931 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Hamilton MacFadden and starring Warner Oland, Sally Eilers, Bela Lugosi, and Dorothy Revier. It is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Earl Derr Biggers. It is the second film to star Oland as detective Charlie Chan, and the sole surviving title of the first five Chan films starring Oland. The Black Camel marked the film debut of Robert Young. Plot Movie star Shelah Fayne is making a picture on location in Honolulu, Hawaii. She summons mystic adviser Tarneverro from Hollywood to help her decide whether to marry wealthy Alan Jaynes, a man she has known for only a week. Her friend Julie O'Neil worries, however, that the famous psychic has too much influence over Fayne. Meanwhile, Julie has fallen in love herself with local publicity director Jimmy Bradshaw. Honolulu Police Inspector Chan pretends to be a humble merchant, but Tarneverro sees through his impersonation. Chan mentions to him the yet unsolved murder of film star Denny Mayo, committed years before. Then Jimmy finds Shelah's body; she has been murdered. Julie makes him remove Shelah's ring before calling for the police. Chan investigates. He invites Tarneverro to assist him. Tarneverro reveals that Shelah told him she was in love with Denny and was responsible for his death, but kept quiet to protect her career. The suspects are many, but after various startling revelations, Chan eventually identifies the killer and the connection to Danny Mayo's death. Cast Warner Oland as Inspector Charlie Chan Sally Eilers as Julie O'Neil Bela Lugosi as Tarneverro / Arthur Mayo Dorothy Revier as Shelah Fane Victor Varconi as Robert Fyfe, Shelah's ex-husband Murray Kinnell as Archie Smith Robert Young as Jimmy Bradshaw Violet Dunn as Anna J.M. Kerrigan as Thomas MacMasters Mary Gordon as Mrs. MacMasters Rita Rozelle as Luana Otto Yamaoka as Kashimo Dwight Frye as Jessop (uncredited) Hamilton MacFadden as Val Martino (uncredited)

Charlie Chan at the Olympics is a 1937 American mystery film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring Warner Oland, Katherine DeMille and Pauline Moore. It is possibly the most topical Charlie Chan film, as it features actual footage from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. There is also a scene where Charlie crosses the Atlantic in the Hindenburg. This is the 14th film starring Warner Oland as Chan and produced by Fox. Plot Charlie Chan is proud of his oldest son, swimmer Lee (Keye Luke), being chosen to represent the United States at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Meanwhile, over the skies of Chan's Honolulu, the "Hopkins plane" is demonstrating an improvement of remote radio control to the US military. The aircraft is hijacked by a concealed stowaway, the device stolen, and the test pilot murdered. When Chan and his astute second son, Charlie Jr. (Layne Tom Jr.), identify the stowaway, he finds only the man's body. On the passenger list of the only aircraft to leave Honolulu for the mainland after the incident are Richard Masters (Allan Lane) and Yvonne Roland (Katherine DeMille). Masters was the intended test pilot, but injured his shoulder and had to be replaced. He left on the Pan Am Clipper to travel to the Olympics himself as a competitor. Perusing the list, Hopkins (Jonathan Hale) recognizes the name of arms dealer Arthur Hughes (C. Henry Gordon). Several of the suspects head for Germany on SS Manhattan (1931) with the US Olympic team. Chan, Hughes, and the inventor Cartwright arrive before them by taking the Zeppelin Hindenburg. Aboard Manhattan, Lee Chan suspects Roland of being an "adventuress". He spots her putting a piece of paper in her book, and Hughes taking it. He confides in fellow Olympian Betty Adams (Pauline Moore), Masters' girlfriend. When the ship docks, German Inspector Strasser, Chan, and Hopkins go to question Roland, only to find her gone and her cabin rifled. Chan is reunited with his son Lee when the latter sneaks into the cabin through a porthole to play detective. On the train trip to Berlin, Chan learns that Lee saw Roland borrow a camera from Adams. Hughes overhears the pair speculate that the invention was smuggled off the ship in it. Hughes advises Chan to stop investigating, then spots a gun barrel in a passing car and pushes the pair to safety. A shot strikes their compartment window. Later, Hughes arranges for Adams' camera to be stolen, but finds nothing inside. A hotel maid tries to steal the invention, hidden in Adams' candy box, but is foiled by Chan and Strasser. When she runs to the window to warn her accomplices, Charlie substitutes a book for the device without being noticed. Hopkins insists on keeping the candy box in his hotel suite, where he is visited by Hughes. Chan and a policeman break in when they hear gunfire. They find Cartwright on the floor. He claims Hughes accused Hopkins of taking the device to double-cross the stockholders of his company, then after Hughes left, Hopkins took the invention at gunpoint and slugged him. Roland takes the candy box to her employer, diplomat the Honorable Charles Zaraka (Morgan Wallace). When they discover the substitution, Roland surmises that Chan has the device. Zaraka sends Chan a ticket to the Olympic opening ceremony. While Chan verbally spars with him and Roland, Lee is kidnapped. Chan allows himself to be taken to Zaraka to exchange the device for his son. Hopkins is brought in to verify it is the invention; he does (even though it is an imitation with a radio beacon inside). Satisfied, Zaraka orders his men to dispose of the Chans when Hughes and his men burst in. Hughes threatens to kill Lee if Chan does not produce the real equipment, but the police arrive just in time to rescue the detective. Hopkins is found unconscious from a gunshot in another room. Cartwright accuses Hughes of the shooting, but Chan proves that Cartwright was responsible for that and also the murder of his accomplice back in Honolulu. Afterward, Lee wins the 100 meter swim. Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan Katherine DeMille as Yvonne Roland Pauline Moore[3] as Betty Adams Allan Lane as Richard Masters Keye Luke as Lee Chan C. Henry Gordon as Arthur Hughes John Eldredge as Mr. Cartwright Layne Tom Jr. as Charlie Chan, Jr. Jonathan Hale as Mr. Hopkins Morgan Wallace as Honorable Charles Zaraka Frederik Vogeding as Inspector Strasser Howard C. Hickman as Dr. Burton Lee Shumway as Cop (uncredited) Wilhelm von Brincken as Polizei Officer (uncredited) Jesse Owens as himself

Charlie Chan on Broadway is a 1937 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Warner Oland, Keye Luke and Joan Marsh.[1] This is the 15th film starring Oland as Charlie Chan and produced by 20th Century Fox. Plot While Charlie Chan and his number one son, Lee, are aboard a New York-bound transatlantic liner returning from Germany in their previous adventure (Charlie Chan at the Olympics), they have a run-in with a mysterious woman, named Billie Bronson, who secretes a package in the trunk of the Chans. After the liner docks, Chan and Lee are met at the pier by Inspector Nelson and two rival reporters, Joan Wendall and Speed Patton. Billie, who left the country hurriedly a year ago when sought as a material witness in a political scandal, has returned to "blow the lid off the town". She follows the Chans to their hotel and attempts to regain her package from the trunk, only to be interrupted by Lee. She then goes to the "Hottentot Club", where "candid-camera night" is in full swing, followed by Lee. Already present are Joan and Speed. Billie is mysteriously murdered and Charlie is summoned from a police banquet in his honor. Present in the room with the body are club manager Johnny Burke; club dancer and Burke's girl-friend Marie Collins and the two reporters. While Charlie seeks a motive for the murder, a second body is discovered in his hotel room, the package is missing from Charlie's trunk, and it is realized that it must have contained her diary. Charlie neatly puts together a few scattered clues and then springs a trap to confirm the identity of the killer. Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan Keye Luke as Lee Chan Joan Marsh as Joan Wendall Marc Lawrence as Thomas Mitchell J. Edward Bromberg as Murdock Douglas Fowley as Johnny Burke Harold Huber as Chief Inspector James Nelson Donald Woods as Speed Patten Louise Henry as Billie Bronson Joan Woodbury as Marie Collins Leon Ames as Buzz Moran Eugene Borden as Louie Creighton Hale as Reporter (uncredited)

Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo is a 1937 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Warner Oland, Keye Luke and Virginia Field. The main character is Charlie Chan, a Chinese-Hawaiian detective. This was the sixteenth and final Charlie Chan film with Oland portraying Chan. The film features Keye Luke as Charlie's son Lee and character actor Harold Huber as a French police inspector. It was produced and distributed by 20th Century-Fox. Warner Oland contracted bronchial pneumonia during his visit to Sweden and died there on August 6, 1938, at age 57. The series continued at Fox for another eleven entries with Sidney Toler. In 1942 Fox sold it to Monogram Pictures, and it continued on even after Toler's death in 1947 with Roland Winters in the role through six films into 1949. Keye Luke would also reprise his role as Lee Chan from the film in Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938), a film originally produced to be a Charlie Chan film prior to Oland's death. Plot summary Although Charlie and Lee are in Monaco for an art exhibit, they become caught up in a feud between rival financiers which involves the Chans in a web of blackmail and murder. The messenger for millionaire Victor Karnoff is ambushed and murdered, and $200,000.00 worth of bonds are missing. The taxicab of the two Chans passes the crime scene, and they become involved, with the blessing of the local law Chief Joubert (Huber). Later on, a bartender who was apparently attempting to blackmail the killer is also murdered, and the bonds found in his room. But Chan notices that in order to make certain the bonds were discovered, their briefcase had been opened with a special key that very few people had access to, and the bartender was not one of them. Back at the Karnoff mansion, Chan exposes the killer, who had been embezzling in order to keep femme' fate Evelyn Grey (Field) in the style to which she had become accustomed. Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan Keye Luke as Lee Chan Virginia Field as Evelyn Grey Sidney Blackmer as Victor Karnoff Harold Huber as Chief of Police Jules Etienne Joubert Kay Linaker as Joan Karnoff Robert Kent as Gordon Chase Edward Raquello as Paul Savarin George Lynn as Al Rogers John Bleifer as Ludwig Eugene Borden as Hotel Clerk (uncredited) Leo White as French Butler (uncredited)

Charlie Chan at the Circus is the 11th film produced by Fox starring Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. A seemingly harmless family outing drags a vacationing Chan into a murder investigation. The film's sets were designed by the art director Duncan Cramer. Plot Keye Luke and Warner Oland in Charlie Chan at the Circus Charlie Chan takes his wife and twelve children on an outing to a circus after receiving a free pass from one of the owners, Joe Kinney. Kinney wants Chan to find out who is sending him anonymous threatening letters. Nearly all of the circus workers are suspects since Kinney is very unpopular. However, when Chan goes to meet him during the night's performance, he finds the man dead, seemingly killed by a rampaging gorilla who somehow escaped from his cage. Lieutenant Macy takes charge of the investigation, assisted by Chan and his overzealous eldest son Lee, who also takes the opportunity to (unsuccessfully) romance Su Toy (Toshia Mori, credited as Shia Jung), the contortionist. On Chan's advice, Macy lets the circus continue to its next stop, with the trio tagging along. During the train ride, an attempt is made to murder Chan with a poisonous cobra. Then someone tries to break into the circus's safe, but nothing is missing. Macy finds a marriage certificate inside, showing that Kinney supposedly married circus wardrobe lady Nellie Farrell in Mexico. However, Kinney's fiance Marie Norman claims that she can prove Kinney was not in Mexico on the day indicated on the certificate. Before she can prove it, during her act, someone shoots one of the ropes of her trapeze swing and she falls to the ground, seriously injured, but still alive. A doctor is summoned. Chan states that Marie is too badly hurt to move, so the doctor must operate on the spot. Chan asks everyone to keep quiet and clear the area, so as not to cause a potentially fatal distraction for the medical staff during the delicate operation. Meanwhile, Chan has noticed a newspaper article about a crime committed at a casino on the day of Kinney's alleged marriage. He sends his son to a phone for a description of the crooks involved by the police. When Lee returns, he sees a man slug the policeman guarding the gorilla's cage and letting the ape out again. He struggles with the man but is knocked out. The gorilla reaches the tent where the operation is in progress and tries to cause trouble. The operation is a fake, as is the gorilla. He is shot to death by policemen masquerading as doctors. It is revealed to be snake charmer Tom Holt in a costume, trying to pin a second death on the escaped animal. He and Kinney had robbed the casino and hidden out at the circus. However, they had a falling out over the division of the money, leading to Kinney's murder. Nellie Farrell and her brother Dan are also arrested for trying to use a forgery to gain half interest in the circus. Charlie Chan agrees to obtain a lifetime pass to the circus for his family. He sees Lee Chan and Su Toy having some romance together wondering if any future grandchildren will be able to see the circus, too. Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan Keye Luke as Charlie's Number One Son, Lee Chan George Brasno as Colonel Tim, a midget performer at the circus Olive Brasno as Lady Tiny, Colonel Tim's midget wife Francis Ford as John Gaines, half-owner of the circus Maxine Reiner as Marie Norman, an aerialist and fiancée of Joe Kinney John McGuire as Hal Blake Shirley Deane as Louise Norman, Marie's sister Paul Stanton as Joe Kinney, the other half owner J. Carrol Naish as Tom Holt Booth Howard as Dan Farrell Drue Leyton as Nellie Farrell Wade Boteler as Lieutenant Macy Shia Jung as Su Toy, a contortionist (love interest to Lee Chan)

Charlie Chan's Secret is a 1936 American mystery film directed by Gordon Wiles and starring Warner Oland, Henrietta Crosman and Rosina Lawrence. It is the tenth film in Fox's Charlie Chan series featuring Oland as the detective. Plot Charlie Chan has been investigating the whereabouts of Allen Colby, heir to a vast fortune. He recently made contact with his relations in San Francisco: his Aunt Henrietta Colby Lowell, her daughters Alice and Janice, and Janice's husband, Fred. The story opens as Allen is traced to a ship that has sunk, but it cannot be confirmed that he is dead. On the contrary, evidence is found that someone is trying to kill him to prevent his return to San Francisco to claim the estate. Allen arrives at Colby House and is promptly murdered. His body is revealed in the course of a seance conducted that evening at Colby House with Chan in attendance. He is an old friend of Mrs Lowell; who, like her late brother, is a devout believer in psychic research. She has retained the services of Professor Bowen and his wife, Carlotta, who is a medium. Someone subsequently attempts to kill Mrs Lowell and eventually appears to succeed. The truth is revealed in another seance, at which the murderer makes a foolish mistake. Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan, famous Chinese-American detective from Honolulu Jerry Miley as Allen Colby, the murdered heir, son of Bernard Colby and nephew of Henrietta Colby Lowell Henrietta Crosman as Mrs Lowell, Allen's aunt, who is currently administering her late brother's fortune as she awaits his son's return Rosina Lawrence as Alice Lowell, one of Henrietta Lowell's daughters, engaged to Dick Williams, lives at Lowell House with her mother Charles Quigley as Dick Williams, Alice's fiancé, a newspaper reporter, always on the lookout for a big story Astrid Allwyn as Janice Lowell Gage, Mrs Lowell's other daughter; she thinks her mother should be entitled to something from her late uncle's estate, regardless of Allen's claims Edward Trevor as Fred Gage, Henrietta's son-in-law, married to Janice; he is the accountant for the estate and knows the layout of Colby House Herbert Mundin as Mrs Lowell's butler, Baxter, who despite the butler stereotype decidedly did not do it; he provides comic relief throughout the film Jonathan Hale as Warren Phelps, Mrs Lowell's attorney and executor of Bernard Colby's estate; he recently suffered serious losses on the stock market, and will be out of a job if Allen returns Egon Brecher as Ulrich, the caretaker at Colby House; he has a grudge against Allen for jilting his daughter, who subsequently committed suicide Arthur Edmund Carewe as Prof. Bowen, Mrs Lowell's advisor psychic researcher; he apparently knows of Allen Colby's death, but it is not explained how Gloria Roy as Carlotta, Prof. Bowen's wife; she is a genuine medium although Bowen is somewhat fraudulent; but both will no longer be employed by Mrs Lowell if Allen returns Ivan Miller as Detective Inspector Morton of the San Francisco Police, in charge of the case William Bailey as Detective Harris Bud Geary, Chuck Hamilton and Brick Sullivan as SFPD officers James T. Mack as the forensic officer dusting for fingerprints Landers Stevens as the pathologist who examines Allen Colby's body at the scene Francis Ford as the captain of a ship salvaging the remains of the S.S. Nestor, on which Allen Colby was travelling when it sank

Dead Men Tell is a 1941 American mystery film starring Sidney Toler, who played Charlie Chan in 22 feature films, beginning with Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938), and ending with The Trap (1946). The first 11 Charlie Chan films were produced by 20th Century Fox Studios, thereafter sold to Monogram Pictures. The interiors for Dead Men Tell were filmed in 1941 at Fox Studios in Hollywood. Exterior shots were filmed on the 20th Century Fox backlot, which is now Century City. Plot Charlie Chan is engaged by an heir to solve a mystery on a boat. Miss Nodbury seeks a pirate treasure on Cocos Island, and her ship has recently hosted a museum of pirate lore. For safety, she has split her map into four pieces, which she gave to some of the passengers whom she has invited, but tells no one who they are. When she is given a fright and succumbs to her heart disease, Chan must clear up the mystery while the ship is still at the dock. Cast Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan Sen Yung as Jimmy Chan Sheila Ryan as Kate Ransome Robert Weldon as Steve Daniels Don Douglas as Jed Thomasson Katharine Aldridge as Laura Thursday Paul McGrath as Charles Thursday / Mr. Parks George Reeves as Bill Lydig Ethel Griffies as Miss Patience Nodbury Lenita Lane as Dr. Anne Bonney Milton Parsons as Gene La Farge, patient of Dr. Bonney

Charlie Chan in London is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde. The film stars Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. This is the sixth film produced by Fox with Warner Oland as the detective, and the second not to be lost, after The Black Camel (1931). Plot A young English man is convicted of the murder of one Captain Hamilton of the Royal Air Force and sentenced to hang, His sister and her fiancé, convinced of his innocence, ask visiting detective Charlie Chan to investigate and find the real murderer. In order to solve the mystery, Chan must visit a lavish English country manor house, where the suspects vary from the housekeeper to a lawyer. Events soon indicate that the murderer is still actively trying to avoid capture, but Charlie Chan must set a trap to reveal the criminal's identity. He turns out to be Paul Frank, a spy masquerading under the name Geoffrey Richmond, who had murdered Captain Hamilton to steal plans of a military invention Hamilton had made.[1] Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan[1] Drue Leyton as Pamela Gray Ray Milland as Neil Howard (as Raymond Milland) Mona Barrie as Lady Mary Bristol Douglas Walton as Paul Gray Alan Mowbray as Paul Frank, alias Geoffrey Richmond George Barraud as Maj. Jardine Paul England as Bunny Fothergill Madge Bellamy as Becky Fothergill Walter Johnson as Jerry Garton Murray Kinnell as Captain Seton (alias Phillips, the butler) E. E. Clive as Detective Sergeant Thacker Elsa Buchanan as Alice Perkins (maid) Reginald Sheffield as Flight Commander King Perry Ivins as Assistant Home Secretary Kemp John Rogers as Lake (chief groom) C. Montague Shaw as Doctor David Torrence as Home Secretary Sir Lionel Bashford Claude King as RAF aerodrome commander Arthur Clayton as Warden

Charlie Chan in Paris is the seventh film produced by Fox with Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. Long thought lost, Hamilton MacFadden directed some early scenes before Lewis Seiler took over. It is the first entry in the series to feature actor Keye Luke, who would become a mainstay in his role as Chan's "Number One Son" Lee. Plot Chan is on his way back from completing the London case—they always mentioned the previous case—to go on "vacation" to Paris, but this is just a way to make people think that he is innocently there. He is on a case for some London bankers and customers who say that some bonds from the Lamartine Bank in Paris are forged, so they hired Chan to solve the case. Chan is on his way to meet the new ward of the head of the Lamartine Bank, Paul. A blind man named Marcel Xavier comes up to him, and asks him for some change. After a police officer escorts Xavier away, Chan calls his assistant, Nardi, who promises to talk with him later about new information she found out. He meets with Victor Descartes, Mr. Lamartine's ward who is about to own the bank. Chan also meets Victor's friends: Max Corday, an alcoholic painter and his girlfriend, and Yvette Lamartine, the daughter of Mr. Lamartine. Victor tells Chan that Yvette is the special one: the two are engaged. That night, Chan, Max and his girlfriend, Yvette, and Victor go to a cafe/club, where Nardi works as a dancer. After her performance, she is thrown into a room by her dance partner (part of the routine), where Marcel murders her by throwing a knife at her. Her last words to Chan instruct him to look in her apartment, where he finds a letter hidden in a cuckoo clock which explains that Albert is spending beyond his income. As Chan leaves Nardi's house, Marcel throws a giant rock down in an attempt to kill him, which fails. He goes home and reveals his secret to Lee, his #1 son. That night, another attempt is made on Chan's life, this time with another thrown knife. However, Chan has outsmarted the culprit by throwing pillows onto his bed. The next morning, he interviews Paul Lamartine. As he is leaving, he sees Xavier making a scene, as he feels that the bank is cheating him out of his money. His escort gets him to leave, but not before he threatens everyone there. Chan instructs Lee to do some spy work around town. Chan is then accosted by his old friend, an inspector. They go and eat together. Later, Victor drops Yvette off at her house. However, after Victor leaves, she goes to Albert's apartment to get some love letters, which she doesn't want Victor to see. Albert is seen calling a mysterious person, revealing that he is in the forging business. Unbeknownst to him, Marcel is secretly watching him through the window. Albert welcomes Yvette in. As he is about to give her the letters, he is shot by an unseen assailant. The other tenants rush up after Yvette screams. They believe her to be the murderer. She is jailed by the inspector, but Charlie points out an overlooked clue: footprints leading to Albert's room. They release Yvette. That night, Charlie goes to the bank and asks the bank manager, Latouche, to give him Xavier's address. Afterwards, they catch Corday in the act of leaving town. Lee keeps Corday company while Charlie goes with Victor to Marcel's house. They are followed by Xavier as they make their way to the basement. Inside, they discover printing machines. Xavier comes in and shoots at Chan, but Chan is revealed to have blocked it. They capture Xavier as Lee and the police arrive. Charlie reveals that Xavier is the murderer, but he is not a real person. He has "Xavier" take off his false face. The murderer is revealed to be Latouche, as well as Corday. Chan goes into a summary of how they each became "Marcel" as so not to incriminate one another. Cast Warner Oland as Charlie Chan Mary Brian as Yvette Lamartine, Mr Lamartine's daughter, engaged to Victor Descartes Thomas Beck as Victor Descartes, Mr. Lamartine's ward, who is going to take over the bank John Miljan as Albert Dufresne Erik Rhodes as Max Corday, a sketch artist Murray Kinnell as Henri Latouche Keye Luke as Lee Chan, Charlie's #1 son Henry Kolker as Mr. Paul Lamartine, the current head of the Lamartine Bank and father of Yvette Dorothy Appleby as Nardi, Charlie's agent in Paris, who is killed before he can ask her questions John Qualen as Concierge Minor Watson as Renard Harry Cording as Gendarme Arresting Yvette (uncredited)

The Old Dark House is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy horror film directed by James Whale. Based on the 1927 novel Benighted by J.B. Priestley, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Gloria Stuart, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Ernest Thesiger, Raymond Massey and Eva Moore.[2][3] Set in interwar Wales, the film follows five travellers who seek shelter from a violent storm in the decaying country house home of the eccentric Femm family. The adaptation rights to Priestley's novel, a social commentary on contemporary British class structures, were acquired by Universal Pictures at Whale's insistence following the completion of Frankenstein (1931) and during development on The Invisible Man (1933). The screenplay was written by Benn W. Levy, who had previously scripted Waterloo Bridge (1931) for Whale and Universal, with uncredited contributions by The Invisible Man's R. C. Sheriff, and serves as a largely faithful adaptation of the story. Whale was entrusted with selecting the film's largely British cast, several of whose members were theatre colleagues of his with minimal film experience, and would appear in several of his later films.[4] The Old Dark House failed to match the contemporary critical and commercial success of Whale's other films, and was withdrawn from circulation after Universal lost the rights to Priestley's novel, which was adapted for film again in 1963 by William Castle for Columbia Pictures and Hammer Film Productions. Initially deemed a lost film, Whale's colleague Curtis Harrington eventually succeeded in recovering most of its original elements, which were restored by the George Eastman House.[4] With the re-evaluation of Whale's filmography, The Old Dark House has garnered widespread critical acclaim, and is recognized as both a cult classic and one of the director's most significant works. It was placed at number 71 on a Time Out poll of the best horror films. Plot Philip Waverton, his wife Margaret and their friend Roger Penderel are lost while driving at night in a heavy storm. They come upon an old house in the Welsh countryside where they receive shelter from Horace Femm and his sister Rebecca. Horace fears that the storm will trap the guests inside. He also warns them that their mute butler Morgan is a dangerous, heavy drinker. As Rebecca escorts Margaret to a bedroom to change clothes, she tells her about the Femm family, which Rebecca says was sinful and godless. She accuses Margaret of being sinful as well. Rebecca reveals that her 102-year-old father, Sir Roderick Femm, still lives in the house. During dinner, the group are joined by Sir William Porterhouse and a chorus girl with the stage name Gladys DuCane, who also seek refuge from the storm. As the group chats by the fireplace, Gladys reveals her real last name is Perkins. Roger and Gladys go to retrieve some whiskey from his car. The electric lights go out and Rebecca tells Horace to get a lamp from an upstairs landing. Horace is afraid to go upstairs, so Philip goes instead. As he fetches the lamp, he notices a locked room and hears a voice coming from another room. William goes to help Rebecca close a window, leaving Margaret alone. Morgan, now drunk, attacks her and chases her up the stairs to Philip, who is coming down with the lamp. Philip throws the lamp at Morgan, knocking him down the stairs. Roger and Gladys begin flirting while they drink and smoke. Gladys says her relationship with William is platonic, and suggests she should live with Roger instead. They go back to the house, where they wake up William and tell him about their new romance. Meanwhile, Philip and Margaret go into the room where he heard the voice; they find Roderick Femm there. He warns them about his eldest son, Saul, a crazed pyromaniac kept in the locked room. Philip and Margaret discover that Morgan has let Saul out; they go downstairs to warn the other guests. Morgan comes downstairs and charges at Margaret. Philip and William drag Morgan into the kitchen while Rebecca flees to her bedroom. Roger tells Margaret and Gladys to hide in a closet. Saul comes downstairs and knocks Roger out. Saul steals a burning branch from the fireplace and sets fire to a curtain before Roger awakes. They fight and fall off a landing; Saul is killed and Roger injured. Morgan breaks out of the kitchen and returns to the main room. He frees Margaret and Gladys from the closet before taking Saul's body upstairs. By morning, the storm has subsided. Saul's attempt at burning the house has caused little damage. Philip and Margaret leave to get an ambulance, while Gladys and William stay behind to tend to Roger's injuries. Upon awakening, Roger asks Gladys to marry him, and she happily kisses him in response. Cast Boris Karloff as Morgan Melvyn Douglas as Roger Penderel Raymond Massey as Philip Waverton Gloria Stuart as Margaret Waverton Charles Laughton as Sir William Porterhouse Lilian Bond as Gladys DuCane/Perkins Ernest Thesiger as Horace Femm Eva Moore as Rebecca Femm Brember Wills as Saul Femm Elspeth Dudgeon as Sir Roderick Femm (credited as "John Dudgeon")

Night Key is a 1937 American science fiction crime film starring Boris Karloff and released by Universal Pictures Plot The inventor of a burglar alarm attempts to get back at the man who stole the profits to his invention (Hinds) before he goes blind. The device is then subverted by gangsters who apply pressure to the inventor and use his device to facilitate burglaries. Cast Boris Karloff - David Mallory (billed as Boris Karloff) Warren Hull - Jimmy Travis (billed as J. Warren Hull) Jean Rogers - Joan Mallory Alan Baxter - "The Kid" Samuel S. Hinds - Stephen Ranger (billed as Samuel Hinds) Hobart Cavanaugh - "Petty Louie" David Oliver - "Mike" Ward Bond - "Fingers" Frank Reicher - Carl Edwin Maxwell - Kruger

Mr. Wong, Detective is a 1938 American crime film directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff in his first appearance as Mr. Wong.[1] Plot Lobby card for the film Simon Dayton is in fear for his life and seeks the help of Mr. Wong to protect him. Just prior to meeting Mr. Wong, Dayton is found dead in his office in San Francisco without a mark on him. Several witnesses testify Dayton was alone in his office that was locked from the inside. Though the police view Dayton's death as due to a heart attack, Mr. Wong discovers a broken glass ball that contained poison gas. Among the suspects are agents of a foreign power wishing to stop Dayton's chemicals being sent to use on the foreign power in the form of the same poison gas that killed Dayton, Dayton's business partners who will have Dayton's share of the business come to them after Dayton's death and the actual inventor of the chemical who has been cheated out of profits and recognition by Dayton. Cast Boris Karloff as Mr. James Lee Wong Grant Withers as Capt. Sam Street Maxine Jennings as Myra Ross Evelyn Brent as Olga - aka Countess Dubois George Lloyd as Devlin Lucien Prival as Anton Mohl John St. Polis as Carl Roemer William Gould as Theodore Meisle Hooper Atchley as Christian Wilk John Hamilton as Simon Dayton Wilbur Mack as Russell Lee Tung Foo as Tchin Lynton Brent as Tommy Grace Wood as Mrs. Roemer

Salute the Toff is a 1952 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley and Carol Marsh. The film was based on the 1941 novel of the same name by John Creasey, the sixth in the series featuring upper-class sleuth Richard Rollinson, also known as "The Toff". This film and another Toff adaptation, Hammer the Toff, were shot back-to-back at Nettlefold Studios in the summer of 1951. They were released to cinemas in January and May 1952 respectively. Neither film was thought to have survived and both were classed as "missing, believed lost", although there was a degree of hope that they might be lurking as yet uncatalogued in British TV archives. Both films are included on the British Film Institute's "75 Most Wanted" list of missing British feature films. This changed in 2013 when Salute The Toff was finally released on DVD from Renown Pictures Limited.[1] Plot The Honourable Richard Rollinson (Bentley) is a well-known private detective who has friends and contacts in all echelons of society from the wealthy West End set to the lowest East End hovels. He likes to take on cases on behalf of underdogs, and is feared by the criminal underworld for his fearsome reputation of always getting his man. Young secretary Fay Gretton (Marsh) comes to Rollinson, worried that her employer has not shown up for work for several days and cannot be contacted. Rollinson breaks into the man's flat and finds a body – not that of Fay's missing boss, but the son of a millionaire businessman. The missing man is the prime suspect, and it is up to Rollinson to get to the bottom of the case, aided by his East End contacts. After a series of dramatic events, including Fay being abducted and tied up, the truth is finally revealed, the missing man is found, and Rollinson proves that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. Cast John Bentley as Richard Rollinson Carol Marsh as Fay Gretton Valentine Dyall as Inspector Grice Shelagh Fraser as Myra Lorne June Elvin as Lady Anthea Arthur Hill as Ted Harrison Michael Golden as Benny Kless Roddy Hughes as Jolly Wally Patch as Bert Ebbutt Vi Stevens as Emily Ebbutt Tony Britton as Draycott John Forbes-Robertson as Gerald Harvey Peter Bull as Lorne Peter Gawthorne as Mortimer Harvey Pauline Johnson as Phyllis Harvey Peter Dyneley as Lady Anthea's Husband Peter Swanwick as Night Porter Andreas Malandrinos as Frederico

"The Secret of the Sea" Starring J. Carroll Naish and James Hong Charlie Chan is asked to investigate the death of a young man on a ship bound for Hawaii. Charlie realizes the mystery is a lot deeper when acts of sabotage begin to occur and some of the crew's lives may be in danger.

Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. "The Case of the Cunningham Heritage"--After his return from Afghanistan, Dr. Watson meets Sherlock Holmes and is recruited as his assistant. Together they investigate a murder, with a young lady as the prime suspect. Holmes finds the real murderer and learns his motive.

Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. "The Case of the Texas Cowgirl"---Minnie O'Malley, a cowgirl in Bison Jack's visiting rodeo show, seeks help from Holmes to remove a dead body from her hotel room. Inspector Lestrade identifies it as a known thief, and Holmes unmasks the suspect.

Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. "The Case of Lady Beryl"---Inspector Lestrade and Dr. Watson investigate a murder at the Beryl residence, but to their surprise get a confession from Lady Beryl, which Holmes does not credit. Holmes recreates the crime scene to expose the actual murderer.

Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. "The Case of the Pennsylvania Gun"--- Holmes and Watson travel to Sussex to investigate the murder of Squire Douglas, who was shot to death in a sealed-up castle, with only two apparent suspects

Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. "The Case of the Belligerent Ghost"---Dr. Watson claims to have been attacked by the ghost of Albert Higgins. Holmes finds a link to the theft of the Blue Madonna in the Pembroke museum, which has been exchanged for a forgery.

The Man Who Wouldn't Die is a 1942 mystery film directed by Herbert I. Leeds, starring Lloyd Nolan and Marjorie Weaver. This movie is the 5th of a series of seven of the Michael Shayne movies produced by Twentieth Century Fox between 1940 and 1942. Plot summary [icon] This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) Cast Lloyd Nolan as Michael Shayne Marjorie Weaver as Kay Wolff Blake Helene Reynolds as Anna Wolff Henry Wilcoxon as Dr. Haggard Richard Derr as Roger Blake Paul Harvey (actor) as Dudley Wolff Billy Bevan as Phillips - the Butler Olin Howland as Chief of Police Jonathan Meek (as Olin Howlin) Robert Emmett Keane as Alfred Dunning LeRoy Mason as Zorah Bey Jeff Corey as Coroner Tim Larsen Francis Ford as Caretaker Charles Iwrin as Gus aka The Great Merlini (uncredited

Colonel March of Scotland Yard is a British television series consisting of a single season of 26 episodes first broadcast in the United States from December 1954 to Spring of 1955. The series premiered on British television on 24 September 1955 on the newly opened ITV London station for the weekends Associated Television. It is based on author John Dickson Carr's (aka Carter Dickson) fictional detective Colonel March from his book The Department of Queer Complaints (1940).[1] Carr was a mystery author who specialised in locked-room whodunnits and other 'impossible' crimes: murder mysteries that seemed to defy possibility.[2] The stories of the television series followed in the same vein with March solving cases that baffle Scotland Yard and the British police. The department itself is sometimes referred to as "D3". Boris Karloff starred as Colonel March. Episode 4, "At Night All Cats Are Gray," is perhaps the most famous, due to the welcome and unexpected presence of Sir Christopher Lee, a future Monster in 1957's "The Curse of Frankenstein," playing opposite the screen's original 1931 Monster, Boris Karloff. Colonel March is dining in Piccadilly Circus with Inspector Ames (Ewan Roberts) when a mysterious woman (Isabel George) interrupts, hoping the Colonel will pretend to be her lover because she is being followed by a strange man and fears for her life. He instantly recognizes the girl as a French model named Fleur, working in London for the Jean-Pierre Couturier. Later that night, March is attacked by the stranger (Peter Dyneley), who demands certain clothing designs that Fleur supposedly slipped the Colonel. In the morning, Fleur is found lying dead on the floor of her apartment, wearing a different pair of shoes than she had earlier, as the investigation continues with Monsieur Jean-Pierre (Lee) and his wife (Frances Rowe) prime suspects. The Colonel solves this case by revealing a color-blind murderer, and how all cats are gray at night. Completed by December 1953, the 31 year old Christopher Lee towers over the other actors, affecting a French accent, and receiving top billing among the guest cast of five players. He would go on to co-star with Karloff, his actual London neighbor from 1964 to 1968, in 1958's "Corridors of Blood" and 1968's "The Crimson Cult."

Dick Barton: Special Agent (released in the USA as Dick Barton, Detective) is a 1948 British spy film about special agent Dick Barton adapted from the hugely popular radio drama of the same name produced and directed by Raymond Raikes.[1] It was the first of three films that Hammer Film Productions made about the British agent, followed by Dick Barton at Bay and Dick Barton Strikes Back.[2] Plot Dick Barton (Don Stannard) and his colleagues Snowy and Jock are investigating smuggling when attempts are made on his life. It turns out there is a neo-Nazi plot to contaminate Great Britain's water supply. Cast Don Stannard as Dick Barton George Ford as Snowey Jack Shaw as Jock Gillian Maude as Jean Beatrice Kane as Mrs Horrock Ivor Danvers as Snub Geoffrey Wincott as Dr Caspar Arthur Bush as Schuler Alec Ross as Tony

Starring Ronald Howard, C. Marion Crawford, and Archie Duncan. "The Case Of Harry Crocker"---Murder suspect Harry Crocker, a vaudeville escape artist, comes to see Sherlock Holmes early in the morning to ask for help in clearing himself of suspicion. Dr. Watson remembers reading in the newspaper that Crocker has escaped from police custody, after being accused of strangling a chorus girl. Inspector Lestrade arrives shortly afterward and arrests Crocker, with Holmes assuring the suspect that he will help him. Holmes visits the theater where Crocker has been performing to question the others there, looks at the crime scene, and examines the victim's body at the morgue. Meanwhile, Lestrade becomes increasingly frustrated and angry with Crocker's repeated escapes from custody

Raffles is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy-mystery film produced by Samuel Goldwyn. It stars Ronald Colman as the title character, a proper English gentleman who moonlights as a notorious jewel thief, and Kay Francis as his love interest. It is based on the play Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1906) by E. W. Hornung and Eugene Wiley Presbrey, which was in turn adapted from the 1899 short story collection of the same name by Hornung. Oscar Lagerstrom was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Recording.[1] The story had been filmed previously as Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1917) with John Barrymore as Raffles, and again as Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1925) by Universal Studios. A 1939 Goldwyn produced version, again titled just Raffles, starred David Niven in the title role. Plot Famed cricketer A.J. Raffles by day is the notorious gentleman jewel thief the "Amateur Cracksman" at night. After falling in love with lovely aristocratic Gwen - and gifting her his latest theft, a diamond bracelet - he decides to give up his criminal ways. However, when his friend Bunny tries to commit suicide because of a 1,000 pound gambling debt he cannot repay, Raffles offers to get him the needed money. He asks to join Bunny as a weekend guest of Lord and Lady Melrose, intending to steal the celebrated Melrose necklace. Complications arise when a gang of thieves also has the same thing in mind. Tipped off to their plan, Inspector Mackenzie of Scotland Yard arrives at the Melrose estate with his men. Unexpectedly, Gwen shows up there and joins the rolling party. Head burglar Crawshaw breaks into the house and succeeds in stealing the necklace, only to have Raffles take it away. The alarm is sounded and Crawshaw is caught empty-handed by the police, but remains silent, hoping to settle his score yet with Raffles. When and the necklace is not found in the house, Mackenzie confines all the guests to it, then quickly changes his mind. Gwen, who has developed her own suspicions, overhears him tell one of his men that he intends to let Crawshaw escape, expecting the crook to lead him to Raffles. She follows Raffles back to London to warn him. Mackenzie appears at Raffles’ home, finding Gwen in hiding in its guest room, “compromising” her reputation. She learns Raffles has the necklace, but not why. Crawshaw shows up on Raffles’ rooftop, drawing Mackenzie away in chase. Crenshaw then appears and takes Raffles at gunpoint. However, Raffles convinces him that it is too dangerous to flee with the necklace with all the policemen around and helps him escape. Then, after a ruse put on by Raffles fails and Lord Melrose shows up, Makenzie accuses Raffles of being the Amateur Cracksman. Cornered and bound for jail, Raffles reminds Melrose of the 1,000 pound reward he offered for the necklace's return. Indicating only that Bunny could use that amount, he then has his nonplussed friend produce and hand it over. Lord Melrose presses for the matter to be dropped, but MacKenzie reveals the warrant he has for Raffles’ arrest is for the theft of a diamond bracelet. Saying he is in no position to restore it the way he has the necklace, Raffles stands silent as Gwen removes it from her wrist and hands it to MacKenzie. She declares herself compromised in front of a distraught Lord Melrose, who leaves, dumbfounded and grumbling at the unsavory developments. Springing another gambit, Raffles again outwits Mackenzie, and seeks to flee alone to the life of a perpetual fugitive. Gwen interrupts him, professes her love in spite of knowing what he has done, still without knowing why, and promises to accompany him wherever their journey may lead. Arranging to meet her in Paris, Raffles makes a successful escape disguised in McKenzie’s frock coat and hat. Cast Ronald Colman as A.J. Raffles Kay Francis as Gwen Bramwell Fletcher as Bunny Frances Dade as Ethel Crowley David Torrence as Inspector McKenzie Alison Skipworth as Lady Kitty Melrose Frederick Kerr as Lord Harry Melrose John Rogers as Crawshaw Wilson Benge as Barraclough