Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937)

Charlie Chan against the glamour and sleaze of Broadway.

Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) and Number 1 Son (Keye Luke) are travelling to New York via ocean liner, also aboard is Billie Bronson (Louise Henry) who is returning from exile. Someone seems to be very interesting in getting their hands on something in her possession for sure as her cabin has been ransacked. It is discovered that Billie has information on her which could blow open a criminal racket in the city.

In New York, Billie heads to a club to confront owner Burke (Douglas Fowley) but is later found dead in his office. A man is later found dead in her hotel room. Charlie and the police (Harold Huber) try to discover who is behind the crimes, reporters Joan (Joan Marsh) and Speed (Donald Woods) are also close behind. Maybe too close?

This is a fine entry in the Charlie Chan series, with plenty of clues, red herrings and potential suspects. The actual culprit turns out to be a bit of a surprise too. The rather dubious night club where male patrons can take photographs of the girls dancing is hilarious.

Thief (1981)

A gritty crime drama on the mean streets of early 1980s Chicago.

Frank (James Caen) is a successful safe breaker but he always works for himself. Unfortunately when he crosses paths with the mob led by Leo (Robert Prosky) and is forced to work for him instead. 

Life is going well for Frank though, he is married to Jessie (Tuesday Welt), has a nice house and an adopted child (which Leo arranged). The big diamond heist in California goes well but when Frank wants to quit, Leo doesn't take no for an answer. To escape, Frank has to put everything at risk...

A highly enjoyable film and involving film, especially the safe cracking scenes. Appearances by Jim Belushi and Willie Nelson are also very welcome.

The Cosmic Man (1959)

An interesting, if well worn, sci-fi tale. The story has been seen before, usually with a bigger budget!

A mysterious globe arrives on Earth near a US military base. Dr Sorensen (Bruce Bennett) is tasked with trying to discover what this globe is and if it contains any secrets which can help the US military. Colonel Matthews (Paul Langton) becomes impatient as Sorensen and his team continue their painstaking investigation. Meanwhile, a mysterious shadowy figure begins to terrorise the local town. A mysterious man (John Carradine) also makes an appearance and shows a lot of interest in what is going on...

This is a perfectly reasonable science fiction tale, the story of a visitor arriving from outer space is of course very familiar. This film lacks any whizz bang special effects though can be a little more thoughtful than films of this genre at the time often were. It does lack much in the way of any real excitement or drama but is a decent watch. 

One A.M. (1916)

An early Charlie Chapin short comedy, the first in which he appears (mostly) alone.

A drunk (Chaplin) returns home from some sort of event which included booze, indeed a lot of booze as Charlie is very drunk indeed! After many awkward slapstick antics he manages to get out of his taxi allowing Albert Austin to finally drive off. Charlie's next job is to get into his house...

Well we have all been there! This is solo slapstick of the highest order as everything becomes a near insurmountable obstacle to negotiate past. A short and simple film which just about manages to not out live it's welcome. Don't ask why the film is called "One A.M." yet it is bright sunlight outside!

Invisible Ghost (1941)

A wonderfully creepy crime horror drama.

Kessler (Bela Lugosi) is the local big wig, living in his apparently cursed house even after his wife went missing. However, Mrs Kessler (Betty Compson) is still alive and in the basement! When she gets out and Kessler sees her, he is thrown in a homicidal trance. He kills a maid, his daughter's (Polly Ann Young) boyfriend Ralph (John McGuire) is accused and eventually convicted and executed for the crime. 

Now Ralph's twin brother (always handy in movie land) turns up. Kessler is thrown into a trance again and more murders take place...

This is an enjoyable film though without Lugosi it probably would have been harder work. The film has plenty of suspense and has some good visuals and interesting camera angles.