Charlie Chan in Rio (1941)

Director:

Harry Lachman

Writers:

Samuel G. Engel (writer)
Lester Ziffren (writer)

Release Date:

5 September 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

it's Chan's most Spine-tingling mystery!

Plot:

On the trail of a singer who killed the man she loved in Honolulu, Charlie finds her stabbed to death when he ultimately catches up to her in Rio.

Plot Keywords:

Butler | Ex Husband | Detective | Draft Notice | Hawaiian Hero

Cast

Sidney Toler	...	Charlie Chan
Mary Beth Hughes	...	Joan Reynolds
Cobina Wright	...	Grace Ellis (as Cobina Wright Jr.)
Ted North	...	Carlos Dantas
Victor Jory	...	Alfredo Cardozo
Harold Huber	...	Chief Souto
Victor Sen Yung	...	Jimmy Chan (as Sen Yung)
Richard Derr	...	Ken Reynolds
Jacqueline Dalya	...	Lola Dean
Kay Linaker	...	Helen Ashby
Truman Bradley	...	Paul Wagner
Hamilton MacFadden	...	Bill Kellogg
Leslie Denison	...	Rice
Iris Wong	...	Lili Wong
Eugene Borden	...	Armando

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Sweden:15

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Film debut of Richard Derr.

Quotes:

Charlie Chan: Interesting problem in chemistry: sweet wine always turn women sour.

Movie Connections:

Follows Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)

Soundtrack:

They Met in Rio

Is That Cigarette a Name Brand?

Globe-trotting Charlie winds up in Rio for this so-so entry. It's an uncommonly attractive cast and a lively, well-produced first half, before the pace slows down during the sleuthing second half. Being in Rio gives Hollywood a chance to sample the South American rhythms popular at the time, and the ladies a chance to model high-fashion wear, circa 1941.

Note presence of New York débutante Cobina Wright, the Paris Hilton of her day, as Grace, the statuesque adversary of the brassy, low-class Mary Beth Hughes. Their nightclub spats amount to versions of the class struggle over proper table etiquette. And, of course, where there's Chan Sr. there's going to be a Chan Jr. Here Sen Young's sometimes silly Jimmy Chan nonetheless pairs up with the charming Iris Wong to make the proverbially cute couple.

The mystery involves a dead nightclub performer, a slick-talking swami (Victor Jory), a cup of coffee, and a funny looking cigarette. Note how Charlie is ably assisted by the captain of the Rio police (Harold Huber). Usually the cops of the period were depicted as bumbling, at best, or comically foolish, at worst. But with WWII on the horizon, South America became an important sphere of influence, and the captain is treated with unusual respect. In passing, something should be said about the dewy-eyed Kay Linaker as the personal assistant. She died just a short time ago. This programmer shows what a lovely and capable screen presence she was. Her career may never have made the big time, but the big-time talent was definitely there.

Recommended for guys who like to ogle well-upholstered girls.