Thursday, May 16, 2019

Charlie Chan in Egypt (1935)

Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) is in Egypt investigating stolen ancient artifacts. While there Chan discovers the head of the expedition (George Irving) dead in a Mummy's sarcophagus...

Who killed the professor, was he the victim of the curse of the Pharaoh? Certainly there are lots of strange goings on and eerie sightings... There is also a hidden chamber in the tomb though guarded by a man with a gun not ancient demons.

A decent crime drama but expect dated stereotypes, so many of them they could fill a pyramid! The mystery is not as complex as some Charlie Chan films but the exotic setting of Luxor and the mysteries of the ancient Pharaohs adds so much to the film. Look out for Rita Hayworth in one of her early roles (billed as Rita Cansino). As none of Chan's "sons" are in the film, Stephen Fetchit is there to provide "comedy relief" though fails miserably with his rather awful "coon" act.