Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

utgard14 Although made before the U.S. had entered World War II, this one feels totally like a World War II picture. Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) goes undercover in Panama to root out a saboteur (and murderer) known as Ryner. Exceptionally good supporting cast, solid plot, and tense direction make this one of the better Toler Chan films. Victor Sen Yung is back as "Number Two Son" Jimmy Chan and is fun as always. His comical antics are dialed back a bit here to make room for the sabotage story, which is treated with the utmost seriousness. Lionel Atwill, Addison Richards, Jean Rogers, Mary Nash, and Jack La Rue are all very good. Interesting that Charlie doesn't show up until ten minutes into the movie. Good story and the saboteur's identity was a genuine surprise to me. Definitely a Charlie Chan film I would recommend.

bkoganbing Charlie Chan In Panama begins with Sidney Toler being undercover as a haberdasher in Panama City. With war in Europe and the possibility of the USA being dragged in, everyone is on high alert as far as protecting the Panama Canal. In fact they're positively paranoid.There is also rumor of an international agent of mystery who is in the pay of the dictatorships in Europe. That's who the Panamanian and US law enforcement is after. At one point Victor Sen Yung actually saves his father's life and for once Charlie Chan is grateful for the presence of one of his offspring who usually are getting in all kinds of trouble. He still does in this film, but one act erases all.There's a nice little stew of suspects as to who the master agent. I will only say it is the most unlikely one in the film.This Charlie Chan mystery will have you wanting to see more of them.

csteidler "At least we're getting off to an exciting start," comments school teacher Mary Nash to mystery author Lionel Atwill. "Like one of those blood and thunder novels you write." New arrivals in the high-security Panama Canal zone, they have just watched two sailors chase a guy with a camera off the end of a dock. Murder and espionage are afoot in this tense mystery set on the brink of WWII; the U.S. fleet may be attacked as it passes through the Canal, and it falls to Charlie Chan and his colleagues to prevent the attack—and identify the master spy behind the plot.Among others on hand are Jack LaRue, owner of a shady café; Kane Richmond as an engineer working for the government; and Jean Rogers, airplane stewardess turned nightclub singer and possible spy. Sidney Toler is at his best in this efficient thriller that is more of an espionage picture than your typical Chan murder mystery; Lieutenant Chan masterfully manages some pretty high stakes dramatic situations—but also manages to fit in a few laughs with number two son Lee. Sen Yung is also strong as Lee, as much valuable assistant as comic relief. Between the great lineup of suspects—everyone is suspicious as can be—and the fine performances from Toler and Yung, this is an entertaining and exciting series entry. Plus it includes at least one great Chan aphorism: "Bad alibi like dead fish. Cannot stand test of time."

Michael O'Keefe World War II is in progress and the honorable Charlie Chan(Sidney Toler)is incognito hired by the American government following up a reliable tip that there is a plot to blow up the Panama Canal. A small plane lands in Panama City carrying more than enough suspects that just could be an elusive master saboteur known only as Rymer. Charlie's Number Two son Jimmy(Victor Sen Yung)shows up as usual wanting to help in the case. Who is the most suspicious...Emil Manolo(Jack La Rue), Dr. Grosser(Lionel Royce), Cliveden Compton(Lionel Atwill)or are they just red herrings. Time is not on Chan's side as American ships are ready to enter the canal. This film has everything you would want in a mystery. Others in the cast: Jean Rogers, Kane Richmond, Chris-Pin Martin and Mary Nash.