“The Scarlet Clue” (1945) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

The Scarlet Clue (1945)

Director:  Phil Rosen

Writer:  George Callahan based on the character by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars:  Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Ben Carter, Benson Fong, Virginia Brissac, Robert Homans and Leonard Mudie

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler), aided by his valet Birmingham (Moreland) and his son Tommy (Fong) are working for the US Government tracking down spies trying to steal radar secrets.  The trail leads to a radio station where one of the many suspects is murdered… with no visible cause for the death!  As Charlie gets closer to solving the murder, the more at risk he, his son and Birmingham become!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Scarlet Clue features a murder that’s pretty shocking for a Charlie Chan film made in 1945.

Mantan Moreland and Ben Carter recreate two of their nightclub acts for the film. The more screen time a movie gives Mantan, the better the film will be.

At one point Charlie, his son and Birmingham are learning about the dangers of some of the radio station equipment.  In the scene it appears that Sidney Toler was actually shocked!

The Scarlet Clue earns 4 of 5 stars.