Charlie Chan at the Circus

Name: Charlie Chan at the Circus
Genre: Mystery
Released: 1936-03-27
Duration: 1 h 12 min
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, George Brasno

1936
Approved
1h 12m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

1.9K

YOUR RATING

George Brasno, Olive Brasno, Shirley Deane, John McGuire, and Warner Oland in Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)

Mystery

While visiting the circus with his family, Charlie is recruited by the big top's co-owner to investigate threatening letters that he's received.While visiting the circus with his family, Charlie is recruited by the big top's co-owner to investigate threatening letters that he's received.While visiting the circus with his family, Charlie is recruited by the big top's co-owner to investigate threatening letters that he's received.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

1.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Keye Luke reportedly clashed with director Harry Lachman over the latter's treatment of the circus midgets in the movie.

Goofs
The ape is shown peeling the banana from the top. Primates, except for humans, peel them from the bottom, thus doing away with those pesky stringy bits.

Quotes
Charlie Chan: Mind like parachute - only function when open.

Connections
Edited into Who Dunit Theater: Charlie Chan at the Circus (2021)

User reviews37

Review

Featured review

7/10

Clue Like Photograph - Needs Time to Develop

Thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable Chan vehicle with the ever- adroit Warner Oland carrying off the Chan role this time in a circus venue. Charlie and his large family are out with a free pass enjoying the circus when(to use a cliché) death strikes under the big top. One of the partners and it seems a man virtually no ones likes dies from what appears to be by a rampaging fake -looking ape(sorry, this is even early for George Barrows!). Charlie must determine what could have taken place in this locked box car that might have a different explanation. Along the way we are treated to intriguing circus types - in particular two "midgets" wonderfully played by the brother/sister team of George and Olive Brasno. Some interesting red herrings are delivered as well as the light comedy touches that are customary with a good Chan film: pithy sayings laced with much wisdom, Charlie and his son Keye Luke's wonderful chemistry and humor, and Oland's general pleasant/pleasing portrayal of a man who has twelve children. Charlie Chan at the Circus isn't a great Chan film but it is a very good one and a fun one to be sure. Join the circus!