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Sadly Over-hyped

Overrated

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

One of the better early Charlie Chan entries, with some spooky atmospherics (even if you know immediately that the psychics are fakes), some twists, and an outcome that may be surprising precisely because it names as the guilty party one of the most suspicious characters! Major debit: the butler's unsuccessful comic relief. My favorite Chan line: "Best place for skeleton is in family closet". **1/2 out of 4.

Charlie Chan's Secret reminds me a bit of Random Harvest in that it dealt with a man who disappeared and then reappeared to claim the family title and fortune. There was a bit of grumbling when Ronald Colman reappeared in that film, but the Rainer family accepted him soon enough.That was hardly the case for the heir in this film. Warner Oland first gets involved in the case when the heir is reported lost at sea off Honolulu. Oland then flies to San Francisco to make his report and the heir reappears only to be knifed to death.His reappearance upset a lot of people or at the very least caused them great inconvenience. Mother Henriette Crossman was a believer in psychics and a pair of them Gloria Roy and Arthur Carew have been operating a con game at her expense. But there's also a daughter and husband, a disgruntled family caretaker, a lawyer and a business manager whose lives would also be upset by a reappearance of the heir. The usual stew of suspects.Who is not a suspect is Herbert Mundin who was a delightful British music hall performer who played a variety of milquetoast like characters in many Hollywood films. He's the butler and in this film, one where none of Charlie Chan's sons appear, he plays the comic foil for Warner Oland and Mundin is his usual funny self.A clever Chan ruse unmasks the killer. This is one of the best of Charlie Chan features.

Ace sleuth Charlie Chan(Warner Oland) has been summoned by Henrietta Lowell(Henriettta Crosman), the matriarch of a wealthy family to help clear up the disappearance of her son Alan Colby(Jerry Miley), who has not been seen for seven years. A vast fortune is at stake of being divided. He returns home to only be murdered before claiming his inheritance. Next Mrs. Lowell's life is in harm's way. A creepy family mansion sets the scene for a couple of insightful séances. Several persons have greedy reasons for getting their hands on the money. Chan is there to right any wrongs; clearing up mystery and murder. Other players include: Rosina Lawrence, Charles Quigley, Astrid Allwyn, Jonathan Hale, Egon Brecher and Herbert Mundin.

The good thing with this Charlie Chan entry is that the usual obvious comedy element isn't that overexited as usual. OK, its given by the butler, but it ain't that obvious as with sons no. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.You know, attached fun is just not needed in movies, as it is unreal. For example, the German Edgar Wallace series uses the same method, mostly personalized by Eddie Aren't. Thats so militant, so unnecessary. Nobody in real life acts like that, just couldn't do, even if he tried very hard.But besides these script failures, the Charlie Chan series has a lot of atmosphere, a lot of pulpy aspects, so its very enjoyable in spite of the obvious comedy elements.This flick: 9/10