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Thursday, May 15, 2008

CHARLIE CHAN IN THE SECRET SERVICE (1944)

After missing a 1943 release, little Monogram Pictures picked up the Charlie Chan series from Fox with dismaying results as seen in this initial wit-free talkfest murder mystery. (Plot: WWII munitions scientist killed & his plans stolen.) Sidney Toler never uncovered the delight & mischief of Warner Oland’s Chan (heck, he wasn’t even Swedish!) and Monogram, no doubt feeling that Caucasian casting would barely register on the politically incorrect meter, added objectionable/unfunny race gags with poor Mantan Moreland popping his eyes to beat the band. With the Oland pics slow to appear in good DVD editions, you might want to try Peter Lorre ’s MR MOTTO series (also out of FOX) which are tremendous fun and surprisingly well made.

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