Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Helllins It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

thinker1691 Of all the mystery detectives who made their mark on the big screen, the most easily recognizable was Charlie Chan. Originally created by Earl Derr Biggers, he went on to star in some thirty or forty episodes, Although Warner Oland appears in this film " Charlie Chan, at the Opera " this would become his last as Sidney Tolar would later replace him. Director H. Bruce Humberstone makes much of the great talent he assembles when the late great Boris Karloff plays Gravelle. Keye Luke from 'Kung Fu' fame plays Charlie Chan's son. The story has Karloff playing a dark sinister character who seems quite mad. Escaping from an Insane asylum Gravelle promises to get revenge of the individual who tried to kill him in a fire. Besides the magnificent operatic voices, there is dark drama and intrigue in the film as the audience enjoys Karloff at his best as he matches wits with the great Honnlulu detective when murder and mayhem visit the Opera House. William Demarest makes for an appearance as a police officer. All in all, this is but one of the many movies, which intrigues audiences in the 30 and 40's. Recommended. ****

Spuzzlightyear Another day. another Charlie Chan mystery. This time, Walter Orland is paired up with Boris Karloff, an interesting combo to be sure, as Chan tries to figure out who bumped off a pair of philandering opera singers(!!) Boris Karloff is, of course, prime suspect #1, as he is cast here as a crazed opera singer who just escaped from the looney bin lusting for revenge on the people who tried to kill him in an opera fire many moons ago! This one is a bit strange with it's premise, so therefore it's fun as Chan tries to make sense of it all. Karloff looks to be having a ball in this strange casting as an opera singer, he lip syncs horribly. I think he knows his fans know it, so just adds to the fun.

mckim39 Charlie Chan Series is one of the best Hollywood film to effective display White racism. Charlie Chan supposed to be an Asian-American guy. His character is played by white guy. They hired white male to play Asian guy. During the era of racist Hollywood, most Asian character usually male was played by White guy. There never put a single real Asian character to play human being. Most real Asian character were enemy just like how they depicted Native American character as enemy to White people. The legacy of Hollywood racism goes back to 30's first era of Hollywood's the way they depicted Native American Indian as savage killer and White people as victim. They completely reversed the history.

dbborroughs Toward the start of the MGM series Bela Lugosi had played a role in the Black Camel, not it was time for Charlie Chan to meet Boris Karloff.I'm kind of mixed about the film. As a mindless mysterious romp the film is gangbusters and a really enjoyable film. The trouble is for me is that this is one of the films that are more about being spectacular and flashy rather than being as solid a mystery. I'm being snobby, I know, after all who cares when you have both Oland and Karloff at the top of their game, but to me, the film feels like the story is secondary to the actors and the look and opera. It feels like a misdirection of sorts.I'm nitpicking. In all honesty the film, other than Karloff's obviously dubbed singing, is first rate. I just wish there was a little more umph to the proceedings.