IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise (1940)

Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise (1940) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   500 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 47% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Earl Derr Biggers (story)
Robert Ellis (adaptation)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 June 1940 (USA) more
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! more
Plot:
Charlie tries to discover the identity of a strangler who strikes multiple times on a cruise ship bound from Honolulu to California. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
The Old Man With A Beard more (10 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
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
Layne Tom Jr. ... Willie Chan
C. Montague Shaw ... Inspector Duff
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Wade Boteler ... Police Chief (uncredited)
Cliff Clark ... Lt. Wilson (uncredited)
John Dilson ... Police Doctor (uncredited)
Sherry Hall ... Radio Operator (uncredited)
J. Anthony Hughes ... Detective (uncredited)
Paul McVey ... Mrs. Pendleton's Doctor (uncredited)
Walter Miller ... Ship's Officer (uncredited)
Harry Strang ... Guard (uncredited)
Emmett Vogan ... Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Eugene Forde 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Earl Derr Biggers  story
Robert Ellis  adaptation
Helen Logan  adaptation
Robertson White  writer
Lester Ziffren  writer

Produced by
John Stone .... producer
 
Cinematography by
Virgil Miller 
 
Film Editing by
Harry Reynolds 
 
Art Direction by
Richard Day 
Chester Gore 
 
Set Decoration by
Thomas Little 
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Saul Wurtzel .... assistant director
 
Sound Department
Joseph E. Aiken .... sound
William H. Anderson .... sound
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Helen A. Myron .... wardrobe supervisor
Sam Benson .... wardrobe supervisor (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Samuel Kaylin .... musical director
 

Production CompaniesDistributors
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
77 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The twenty-fourth of forty-seven Charlie Chan movies. more
Quotes:
Dick Kenyon: That's fantastic! My uncle never hurt anybody in his life. He didn't have an enemy in the world.
Wilkie: Well, it certainly wasn't a friend who came here and killed him.
more
Movie Connections:
Followed by Dark Alibi (1946) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
The Old Man With A Beard, 19 October 2009
Author: Lechuguilla from Dallas, Texas

The killer in this story appears to be a beggar, a person with a white beard, glasses, black pointy hat, and black coat. The beggar relates in some way to one of some ten suspects. In actual practice, there are about six or seven genuine suspects, since a few of them can be easily ruled out.

"Murder Cruise" is one of the better films in the Charlie Chan series. Production values trend above average. And the B&W lighting is quite effective.

My only real complaint is the film's plot. At a certain point, the viewer can fairly easily identify the killer, despite the fact that the underlying mystery is complex and clever. It's one of those whodunits wherein the murderer is relatively easy to spot, but the motive and underlying story are rather opaque. A slight change in the plot could have prolonged the suspense a bit longer.

The story's ending is amusingly hokey. The killer tries to strangle one last victim, and the woman screams and screams. Rather than killing her quickly, the murderer talks to her long enough for the police and Charlie Chan to arrive in time to save her.

Despite a plot that is a bit too revealing too soon, "Murder Cruise" is an enjoyable whodunit. If only all the Charlie Chan movies were this high in quality. In the words of Charlie Chan ... "Thank you so much".

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (10 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise (1940)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Murder Over New York Charlie Chan at Treasure Island Charlie Chan in Honolulu Charlie Chan on Broadway Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.