
Charlie Chan's Secret
Seen it?1936 | 72 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Tailor-made for people who like their stories with a little danger and people who enjoy a knot in their stomach. Plenty of moral grey areas to chew on. If you loved The Naked City or Evil Under the Sun, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Wastes no time getting going, at 1 hr 12 min. Short enough for a weeknight.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1936: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you like your heroes clean-cut.
Allen Colby, heir to a huge fortune, is presumed drowned after an ocean liner sinks off the coast of Honolulu. Mysteriously, Colby reappears at his mansion only to be murdered soon after. When his body is discovered during a seance, everyone in attendance becomes a suspect, and it's up to Chan to find the murderer before he or she strikes again.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
60% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
The Naked CitySaturday SpecialAnother crime thriller that's easy to miss.
The Mirror Crack'dSunday Safe BetAnother crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Evil Under the SunSaturday SpecialAnother crime thriller, and a Saturday Special.
Murder by DeathSunday Safe BetAnother crime story, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Gordon Wiles
- Warner OlandCharlie Chan
- Rosina LawrenceAlice Lowell
- Charles QuigleyDick Williams
- Henrietta CrosmanMrs. Henrietta Lowell
- Edward TrevorFred Gage
- Astrid AllwynJanice Lowell Gage
- Herbert MundinBaxter
- Egon BrecherUlrich
- Gloria RoyMadame Carlotta Bowen
- Ivan MillerMorton of Homicide