Phantom of Chinatown is a mystery-adventure film and the final entry in the “Mr. Wong” detective series. Unlike previous installments featuring Boris Karloff as the titular sleuth, this film introduces Keye Luke as the lead, playing detective James Lee Wong. The plot follows Wong as he investigates the sudden death of an archaeologist who had just returned from a dig in Asia with a secret scroll. The search for a hidden tomb and a legendary treasure leads to murder, deception, and a climactic reveal in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Adventure
Director: Phil Rosen
Phil Rosen was a veteran director of low-budget films during the 1920s through the 1940s. Known for his prolific output, Rosen specialized in crime dramas and mysteries, often working within tight budgets and schedules. He directed numerous entries in detective series like Charlie Chan and Mr. Wong. While his work rarely received mainstream acclaim, he was respected for his efficiency and ability to create suspenseful stories in the B-movie tradition.
Star Cast:
- Keye Luke as James Lee Wong
- Grant Withers as Captain Street
- Lotus Long as Win Len
- Huntley Gordon as Dr. Benton
- Charles Miller as Mason
- Frank Lackteen as Jonas
Phantom of Chinatown was notable for breaking ground by casting Keye Luke, a Chinese-American actor, as the lead detective—something rarely seen in Hollywood at the time. Although a B-picture with limited release, it was appreciated by audiences for its brisk pacing and atmospheric setting. Mystery fans found it a satisfying, if modest, whodunit with exotic intrigue. The film remains of historical interest for reversing the usual racial casting trend in early detective films.
Fun Facts:
- This was the sixth and final film in the Mr. Wong series, and the only one where the lead role was played by an Asian actor.
- Keye Luke had previously portrayed Charlie Chan’s son in the Charlie Chan film series and was one of the few Asian-American stars in 1930s–40s Hollywood.
- The story involved archaeological mysteries and coded messages—common tropes in pulp adventure films of the era.
- The film’s use of San Francisco’s Chinatown as a setting helped create a moody and culturally rich backdrop, despite limited production values.
- Phantom of Chinatown is now in the public domain and frequently shown on classic film channels and streaming platforms.
Phantom of Chinatown (1940) stands as a unique and culturally significant entry in early Hollywood detective cinema, notable for giving a rare leading role to an Asian-American actor in a time when such casting was virtually unheard of.
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