Charlie Chan’s Secret is a mystery film in the popular Charlie Chan detective series. The story follows the famous Honolulu detective as he travels to San Francisco to investigate the suspicious death of a wealthy man who perished in a supposed boating accident. As Chan digs deeper, he uncovers layers of greed, deceit, and family intrigue centered on a contested inheritance. The film balances suspense with Chan’s trademark wit, wisdom, and logical reasoning.
Genre: Mystery / Crime
Director: Gordon Wiles
Gordon Wiles (1904–1950) was an American film director, art director, and production designer. He began his Hollywood career as an art director and won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for the film “Transatlantic” (1931). Transitioning into directing in the mid-1930s, Wiles handled several genre films, including mysteries and dramas. Though his career as a director was relatively brief, his background in visual design gave his films a distinctive look and atmospheric tone.
Star Cast:
- Warner Oland as Charlie Chan
- Rosina Lawrence as Janice Lowell
- Charles Quigley as Bob Crawford
- Henrietta Crosman as Henrietta Lowell
- Edward Trevor as Fred Gage
- Herbert Mundin as Baxter
- Jonathan Hale as C. Lowell
- Astrid Allwyn as Alice Lowell
The film was well received by fans of the Charlie Chan series, with Warner Oland’s portrayal of the detective continuing to be a major draw. Audiences enjoyed the mix of intrigue and light humor, hallmarks of the series. While critics often debated the cultural stereotypes inherent in the films, the series remained a popular staple of 1930s mystery cinema and solidified Fox Film Corporation’s reputation for reliable entertainment.
Fun Facts:
- Warner Oland, a Swedish-born actor, became world-famous for his portrayal of Charlie Chan, a role he played in 16 films.
- The Charlie Chan series was one of the most profitable mystery franchises of the 1930s.
- Gordon Wiles’ background as an art director gave the film a polished look with effective use of sets and lighting to enhance suspense.
- Rosina Lawrence, who plays Janice Lowell, was also known for her roles in Hal Roach comedies, including appearances with Laurel and Hardy and in “Our Gang” shorts.
- The film reflects Hollywood’s 1930s fascination with fortune, inheritance disputes, and the interplay of science and the supernatural in detective plots.
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