Petroff (Douglas Dumbrille) is a business man and enemy spy. His former secretary Madero (Richard Clarke) is meanwhile trying to flee the country with the help of Marie (Lynn Bari). When Petroff is found murdered Chan and the dopey god son Marcel (Harold Huber) of the chief of police investigate the crime. Marcel plays the role of Chan's sometimes foolish sometimes helpful "son" in this film.
Marcel also dominates the film with his tomfoolery, not always in a good way. It is all rather stereotypically French with terrible accents not too far from the likes of Allo Allo. However amid the mayhem, and a dose of propaganda, there is still a typical Charlie Chan mystery here, a measured and thoughtful investigation interspersed with "Chinese" proverbs.
