Review of Charlie Chan in Shanghai (1935) by James H — 04 Jan 2009

I really liked the inclusion of Chan's son Lee. With some of the fight scenes (including a leaping tackle off a flight of stairs), he provided a bit of an action hero to go along with Chan's slow-moving detective work.

Plus the contrast between the wise father (who speaks more traditionally and with halting English), and the brash son (who is likely a first-generation American and speaks just like a typical teenager of the 40s would).

..good stuff. I think this is the best formula for Charlie Chan movies. The mystery, on the other hand wasn't really anything special and I found it disappointing that being in Shanghai he didn't really seem to visit any exotic parts of town.

He stayed almost entirely in the upper crust British parts, and you hardly saw any other Chinese people.