Castle in the Desert main backdrop
Castle in the Desert main poster

Castle in the Desert

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6.8/10 • 15

1942-02-021h 2m

CrimeMysteryThriller

Charlie Chan, with son Jimmy on a week's pass from the Army, takes up a request for help at a castle-home, miles from anywhere in the American desert south-west and inhabited by an eccentric, reclusive historian and his wife, a descendant of Lucrezia Borgia. Once there, he finds the request's legitimacy denied by all who are present, but still necessary as one houseguest has already been murdered, the other guests are at each other's throat, and the Borgia-related chatelain is suspected...

Directors
Harry Lachman
Characters
Earl Derr Biggers
Editors
John Brady

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Sidney Toler

    Sidney Toler

    Charlie Chan

  2. Victor Sen Yung

    Victor Sen Yung

    Jimmy Chan

  3. Lenita Lane

    Lenita Lane

    Lucy Borgia Manderley

  4. Douglass Dumbrille

    Douglass Dumbrille

    Paul Manderley

  5. Steven Geray

    Steven Geray

    Dr. Retling

  6. Edmund MacDonald

    Edmund MacDonald

    Walter Hartford

  7. Arleen Whelan

    Arleen Whelan

    Brenda Hartford

  8. Ethel Griffies

    Ethel Griffies

    Mme. Saturnia, aka Lizzie

  9. Henry Daniell

    Henry Daniell

    Watson King

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf

Jun 26, 2022

7/10

I have to say that I rather enjoyed this - but boy, is it a far-fetched affair! This time "Charlie Chan" (an on-form Sidney Toler) and No. 2 son "Jimmy" are invited to a remote castle in the Mojave desert tp investigate some strange goings on. What adds to the mystery is that the owner of this spookily lit house - "Manderley" (the man that is, not the house) wears a partial mask to cover an huge scar obtained in an accident and his wife "Lucy" (Lenita Lane) is a distant descendant of the infamous Borgia family. What ensues plays all the best cards from a mansion house game of "Cluedo" with some intrigue emanating from the many Borgia legends (with some very interesting pronunciations) that they have tapped into - all involving deadly poisons and a ring... No electricity, no phone and loads of ancient instruments of torture help keep the suspense going, as do contributions from Douglass Dumbrille; rent-a-baddie Henry Daniell and the outrageous "Madame Saturnia" (Ethel Griffies). The ending, well that's quite amusing too - and all in all, it's a good hour of diversion.

Media

  • Castle in the Desert poster
  • Castle in the Desert poster
  • Castle in the Desert poster

Recommendations

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
sequelprivate detectivecharlie chan