Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise (1940)

Director:

Eugene Forde

Writers:

Earl Derr Biggers (story)
Robert Ellis (adaptation)

Release Date:

21 June 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Along the moonlit decks of a gay luxury liner a pair of happy lovers stroll... and so does... THE DEADLIEST KILLER ON THE HIGH SEAS!

Plot:

Charlie tries to discover the identity of a strangler who strikes multiple times on a cruise ship bound from Honolulu to California.

Plot Keywords:

Cruise Ship | Red Herring | Remake | Suspect | Disguise

Cast

Sidney Toler	...	Charlie Chan
Victor Sen Yung	...	Jimmy Chan (as Sen Yung)
Robert Lowery	...	Dick Kenyon
Marjorie Weaver	...	Paula Drake
Lionel Atwill	...	Dr. Suderman
Don Beddoe	...	James Ross
Leo G. Carroll	...	Prof. Gordon (as Leo Carroll)
Cora Witherspoon	...	Susie Watson
Leonard Mudie	...	Gerald Pendleton
Harlan Briggs	...	Coroner
Charles Middleton	...	Jeremiah Walters
Claire Du Brey	...	Mrs. Walters
Kay Linaker	...	Linda Pendleton
James Burke	...	Wilkie
Richard Keene	...	Buttons

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Quotes:

Charlie Chan: Young man's explanation like skin of sensitive woman... very thin.

Movie Connections:

Followed by The Chinese Ring (1947)

Thirty pieces of silver.

Producer John Stone and Director Eugene Forde's last Chan films. By now Stone had done over a dozen and Forde had directed four. Sidney Toler (who appears to be ill in portions of the movie) is supported by #2 son Jimmy and #7 son Willie (Layne Tom, Jr. who was once cast in `Charlie Chan at the Circus' as #2 son Charlie Jr. and in `Charlie Chan in Honolulu' as #5 son Tommy). Lionel Atwill and Leo G. Carroll both add to the drama but Charles Middleton is best remembered in the Flash Gordon films as the Emperor Ming. Cora Witherspoon provides great comic relief. Don Beddoe is credited as playing `James' Ross but introduces himself to Chan as `Frederick' Ross, weight 168 lbs, 5'10', and he will admit to being 35.

Fast-paced who-done-it set primarily aboard a ship bound between Honolulu and San Francisco. A 'round the world cruise by ten travelers has been beset by a series of deaths by strangulation. It is clear from the beginning of the film that the guilty party is a man dressed in a dark hat and raincoat with dark classes and a full beard. But none of the passengers look like that.

Scotland Yard Inspector Duff is sent to investigate only to die as the film opens. Interesting subterfuge will keep the viewer off balance and probably unable to keep up with Chan until all is revealed at the end. `Man can more safely search for gold if world think he dig ditch.' Recommended.