“Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” (1944) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944)

Director:  Phil Rosen

Writer: George Callahan based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Sarah Edwards, George J. Lewis, Benson Fong and Gene Roth

Tagline:  The screen’s most daring sleuth!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler), now a government agent, is assigned to investigate the murder of a scientist working on a new type of weapon for the war effort.  The scientist was killed by an unknown method right before a dinner party he was hosting.  The house was filled with guests who are now suspects.  Chan is assisted by his #3 son, his #2 daughter and  a limo driver named Birmingham Brown (Moreland) Chan has just met.  The security of the United States rests with Charlie Chan solving this murder!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is the first Charlie Chan to feature Mantan Moreland!  It is also the first Charlie Chan film made by Monogram Pictures.  Monogram’s films featured a lower budget, but this often adds to the charm of their Charlie Chan movies.

Charlie Chan in the Secret Service earns 4 of 5 stars.