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14 out of 14 people found the following review useful: A Personal Favorite Among The Chan Films, 21 April 2005 Author: gftbiloxi (gftbiloxi@yahoo.com) from Biloxi, Mississippi
Filmed and released in 1936, CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS is the eleventh film in the Chan series--and although many tend to dismiss it as "only average," it is among my favorites of the Chan films.This episode finds Chan on vacation on the mainland with the entire family--but when he takes the family to the circus he finds himself embroiled in the murder of the show's co-owner, a man so widely disliked by his co-workers and employees that virtually any one might have killed him. Begged into assisting the investigation by circus performer "Lady Tiny," Chan and number one son Lee join the circus train in an effort to ferret out the truth.Like most Chan films, the plot is full of holes--but what makes this installment particularly enjoyable is the supporting cast. Son Lee (the ever-enjoyable Keye Luke) finds romance with Chinese contortionist Su Toy (the beautiful Shia Jung) and trapeze footage of Marie Normand (played by real-life trapeze artist Maxine Reiner) offers a glimpse into the circus world of the 1930s that is quite fascinating. Most enjoyable of all, however, are Col. Tim and Lady Tiny, played by popular circus stars and occasional film actors George and Olive Brasno; their sideshow dance alone would make this film worth the effort. It's all a tremendous amount of fun.Chan films are often accused of being racist, and critics often complain that the actors playing Chan wore "yellowface" make up. The films, however, must be seen within the context of their era. In the 1930s, Hollywood presented most Asian characters as either servile or as Fu Manchu-like entities; Chan was actually just about the only positive Asian character going, and as such the films were tremendously popular with Asian-American audiences of the era.True enough, Chan is inevitably played by an occidental actor, but this was typical of the era, in which star status was considered more important than racial accuracy. (Other Asian characters are almost always played by actors of Asian heritage, with Keye Luke and Shia Jung cases in point.) Whatever the case, neither Warner Oland or the later Sidney Toler wore significant make-up for the role, and Oland--although a Swede by birth--actually had a strong strain of Asian ancestry in his family tree. But most significantly, while Chan often allows the suspects to dismiss him through their own prejudices, as a character he is always presented in a positive light.While I would not rank it along such knock-out Chan films as CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA or CHARLIE CHAN AT TREASURE ISLAND, CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS is a thoroughly enjoyable entry in the series, and in many respects the film's "old fashioned" qualities (watch out for that wild gorilla suit!) add to the fun. Recommended for Chan fans everywhere.Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer
6 out of 9 people found the following review useful: This Chan Circus Should Have Been More Fun, 13 April 2007 Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States
I am a big fan of Charlie Chan, owning all the Warner Oland/Sidney Toler episodes I can find and enjoying them, but that doesn't mean they automatically are all wonderful. This one is okay, but disappointing considering how much better it could have been. It did have its customary comic moments with Keye Luke as Number One Son and Charlie had a ton of proverbs, but they weren't particularly profound or humorous, just so-so. One thing different was the co-starring of real-life "small people" circus performers, George and Olive Branso, who were okay as actors.With a setting like the circus, and with Chan's huge family all there (a dozen kids) they could have all kinds of interesting scenarios, but outside of a quick cobra scene and an ape making noise a few times, not much happened. This story was just plain flat overall until the final 10 minutes. The ending was pretty clever but it was a case of too-little, too-late.Overall, it's not a bad film but there is an "edge" to this murder-mystery that is missing.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: "Curiosity responsible for cat needing nine lives.", 19 February 2005 Author: classicsoncall from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
It was in "Charlie Chan in Shanghai", two films prior, that we learned Chan's age at 60. In "Charlie Chan at the Circus", we see the prolific Chan family in it's entirety as guests at the Kinney and Gaines Combined Circus. Charlie's offspring now number twelve, or as the ticket taker at the circus would offer - "the guy with his own sideshow". Only Keye Luke as Number #1 Son Lee is recognizable; future detective wanna-be's Victor Sen Yung and Benson Fong are at least a couple of years and a number of films away in their respective roles as Number's #2 and 3 Sons.As in "Shanghai", Chan's vacation is interrupted by business, as circus owner Joe Kinney (Paul Stanton) asks for Charlie's help in investigating some threatening letters he's received. Roundly despised by the circus troupe for his treatment of both performers and animals, it's not long before Chan is investigating a murder, with Kinney providing the corpse. The immediate suspect appears to be Caesar the Ape, released from his cage at an opportune time; but Kinney's body was found inside the circus business trailer, locked from the inside.It turns out that Kinney led a pretty convoluted life, engaged to circus aerialist Marie Normand after a brief affair with wardrobe lady Nellie Farrell. Farrell and her brother Dan schemed up a phony marriage certificate between herself and Kinney to claim part ownership in the circus. If that wasn't enough, Kinney intended to take over full ownership if partner John Gaines (Francis Ford) couldn't keep up his payments. So there were plenty of suspects who could have wanted Kinney out of the way, having endeared himself to so many.As Number #1 Son, Keye Luke keeps busy between detective work by trying to romance "The Human Knot", contortionist Su Toy. Also prominent in the story are midget husband and wife entertainers Colonel Tim and Lady Tiny (George and Olive Brasnos). A particularly funny scene involves Lee and Colonel Tim impersonating a woman and a baby in a stroller, embarrassingly recognized by Su Toy.By the time Kinney's killer is finally revealed, all of the prior intrigue and revelations prove inconsequential, as Charlie Chan uses Lee's help to uncover a plot by Kinney's animal trainer friend Holt, who was in legal trouble with Kinney at a prior circus venue. It was Holt who was threatening his friend, and masterminding the diversions that pointed to the other suspects. In that respect, "Charlie Chan at the Circus" follows the typical formula for this series, in that the identity of the murderer is never revealed clearly to the viewer until Chan's lucid explanation is offered to wind up the case.
One of the better films in the Chan series, 24 October 2009 Author: dbborroughs from Glen Cove, New York
With possibly the best sense of place in the entire series this is another one of the films that is near the top of the entire run of Chan films.The plot has Chan and some of his sons getting involved in the dark happenings in and a round a circus. The film manages to walk the fine line between being both light and dark. You have the humor of Number One Son's attempts to help, but you also have the seriousness of the main mystery. sometimes the two tones don't work together, but here they do and the result is truly satisfying.I really like this film a great deal and in a twisted sort of way think that this would be nicely paired with Todd Brownings Freaks, with which it shares a setting and some of the same actors.
very entertaining movie, 18 December 2008 Author: h-a-m from Italy
This is a very entertaining movie. The plot contrivances are well thought of and intermingle well; of course one has to love the basic format of these Chan movies. the 'son #1' comedy moment doesn't get in the way as it does in other movies and works well enough. Summoned to pay a visit to a circus with his family, Chan is asked advice about death threats that have targeted the recently appeared co-owner of the show. The man is killed later and another woman is seriously wounded in another attempt. Who may want to control the circus, whose business is shaky anyways? In the end we'll have not one culprit, but two parties guilty of two unrelated crimes. The midgets in the movie are very particular. Typically midgets are easily recognizable as such, but these two look just like miniature people. Entertaining 70 minutes.
Clue Like Photograph - Needs Time to Develop, 14 September 2008 Author: BaronBl00d (baronbl00d@aol.com) from NC
Thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable Chan vehicle with the ever- adroit Warner Oland carrying off the Chan role this time in a circus venue. Charlie and his large family are out with a free pass enjoying the circus when(to use a cliché) death strikes under the big top. One of the partners and it seems a man virtually no ones likes dies from what appears to be by a rampaging fake -looking ape(sorry, this is even early for George Barrows!). Charlie must determine what could have taken place in this locked box car that might have a different explanation. Along the way we are treated to intriguing circus types - in particular two "midgets" wonderfully played by the brother/sister team of George and Olive Brasno. Some interesting red herrings are delivered as well as the light comedy touches that are customary with a good Chan film: pithy sayings laced with much wisdom, Charlie and his son Keye Luke's wonderful chemistry and humor, and Oland's general pleasant/pleasing portrayal of a man who has twelve children. Charlie Chan at the Circus isn't a great Chan film but it is a very good one and a fun one to be sure. Join the circus!
2 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Like most of the Warner Oland Chan films, this one really delivers, 25 May 2008 Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida
Fans of the Charlie Chan films should see this film for one reason in particular--it's a very rare chance to see the entire huge Chan clan in a single film. In most Chan films, there are one or two of the Chan children along to "help"(?) their father. However, here there are all twelve plus Mrs. Chan--a real rarity and proof that Charlie had interests other than police work! The film is set at a circus where there is a mysterious murder--supposedly perpetrated by an ape! However, things don't add up and it's up to Charlie and his romantically challenged oldest son, Lee, to solve the crime. Along the way, you'll see midgets, tall guys, trapeze artists and the like--all providing an unusual and welcome backdrop to the investigation. Practically everything works well, though in 1930s fashion, there is an ape that is obviously just some guy in a gorilla costume (so I'll deduct a point). A bad cliché, but otherwise a great and exciting film--as are all the Chan films starring Warner Oland (the series, unfortunately, sagged a bit after his death).
2 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Nothing spectacular but fun, 10 April 2002 Author: Jeff (Inthegoodlife@Aol.com) from Jacksonville, FL
Charlie Chan at the Circus is a pretty standard entry in the series that tries to use the circus as it's exotic locale. The plot concerns the death of a circus man. The main suspects are the workers at the big top and an ape that escapes. The movie uses the circus as a tangent, such as when Charlie visits the midgets. The action is very laid back and relaxed, which creates a pleasant view, as Charlie and Lee ride with the circus train. The detective work is pretty good and has several twists. Just about every Warner Oland Chan flick is at least passable. This one isn't one of his best but is a fun distraction. 6.5/10
2 out of 4 people found the following review useful: An "average" entry in the series, 19 April 2000 Author: admjtk1701 from New York, NY
This Oland Chan film comes off as only "average". It is fun but nothing special. The best part is the sight of Chan and his entire family arriving at the circus. An interesting note is that supporting player J. Carrol Naish would later play Chan in the 50's TV series, "The New Adventures of Charlie Chan". Goes well on a double feature with the Marx Brothers' "At the Circus".
0 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Great Charlie Chan Film, 11 June 2008 Author: whpratt1 from United States
Enjoyed this film mostly because it finally showed the large family that Charlie Chan, ( Warner Oland) had with fourteen children all attending a circus which he was invited to along with even his wife and oldest son Keye Luke, (Lee Chan). Charlie gets involved with a murder case as usual and it seems that the two owners of this circus, John Gaines, (Francis Ford) and Joe Kinney, (Paul Stanton) are not getting along because the circus is losing money and Joe Kinney wants to take over the show. There is a wild ape who roams all over the place when someone releases him from his cage. Lee Chan has a hot romance going on with a female contortionist and always manages to put his foot into his mouth when trying to out smart his father Charlie. There is a great male and female team of midgets who give great dance performances and seem to appear in many of the scenes. In my opinion, this is one of Charlie Chan's great series. Enjoy.
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