Charlie Chan at the Circus main backdrop
Charlie Chan at the Circus main poster

Charlie Chan at the Circus

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6.1/10 • 23

1936-03-271h 12m

CrimeMysteryComedyThriller

While visiting the circus with his family, Charlie is recruited by the big top's co-owner to investigate threatening letters that he's received.

Directors
Harry Lachman
Writters
Robert Ellis
Characters
Robert Ellis, Earl Derr Biggers
Editors
Robert Ellis, Alex Troffey

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Warner Oland

    Warner Oland

    Charlie Chan

  2. Keye Luke

    Keye Luke

    Lee Chan

  3. John McGuire

    John McGuire

    Hal Blake

  4. Shirley Deane

    Shirley Deane

    Louise Norman

  5. Francis Ford

    Francis Ford

    John Gaines

  6. J. Carrol Naish

    J. Carrol Naish

    Tom Holt

  7. Paul Stanton

    Paul Stanton

    Joe Kinney

  8. Boothe Howard

    Boothe Howard

    Dan Farrell

  9. Drue Leyton

    Drue Leyton

    Nellie Farrell

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 19, 2022

7/10

"Charlie Chan" (Warner Oland) is about to take his extended family to the circus when he is co-opted into an investigation into some threatening letters being received by the owner. Before he can get his feet under the desk, though, his client is bumped off and he must now find a murderer amongst the company (and their beasties). It's a better story, this one - plenty going on; some interesting characters and quite a bit of pace to aid the manhunt. Son "Lee" (Keye Luke) features too, rather amusingly fascinated by the glamorous contortionist and the cigar smoking miniature couple of George Brasno ("Tim") and his wife Olive ("Tiny") add some lively charm to the thing too. The conclusion is oddly unsurprising, but still quite clever. It is also quite interesting to reflect , as we watch this, that there was a time when the visiting circus was must-see family entertainment with a whole, and curious, gamut of acts and animals that survived hand-to-mouth whilst enthralling large crowds with their lion taming and high acrobatics.

Media

  • Charlie Chan at the Circus poster
  • Charlie Chan at the Circus poster
  • Charlie Chan at the Circus poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
circusgorilla