Filmed and released in 1936, CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS is the eleventh film in the Chan series--and although many tend to dismiss it as "only average," it is among my favorites of the Chan films.

This episode finds Chan on vacation on the mainland with the entire family--but when he takes the family to the circus he finds himself embroiled in the murder of the show's co-owner, a man so widely disliked by his co-workers and employees that virtually any one might have killed him. Begged into assisting the investigation by circus performer "Lady Tiny," Chan and number one son Lee join the circus train in an effort to ferret out the truth.

Like most Chan films, the plot is full of holes--but what makes this installment particularly enjoyable is the supporting cast. Son Lee (the ever-enjoyable Keye Luke) finds romance with Chinese contortionist Su Toy (the beautiful Shia Jung) and trapeze footage of Marie Normand (played by real-life trapeze artist Maxine Reiner) offers a glimpse into the circus world of the 1930s that is quite fascinating. Most enjoyable of all, however, are Col. Tim and Lady Tiny, played by popular circus stars and occasional film actors George and Olive Brasno; their sideshow dance alone would make this film worth the effort. It's all a tremendous amount of fun.

Chan films are often accused of being racist, and critics often complain that the actors playing Chan wore "yellowface" make up. The films, however, must be seen within the context of their era. In the 1930s, Hollywood presented most Asian characters as either servile or as Fu Manchu-like entities; Chan was actually just about the only positive Asian character going, and as such the films were tremendously popular with Asian-American audiences of the era.

True enough, Chan is inevitably played by an occidental actor, but this was typical of the era, in which star status was considered more important than racial accuracy. (Other Asian characters are almost always played by actors of Asian heritage, with Keye Luke and Shia Jung cases in point.) Whatever the case, neither Warner Oland or the later Sidney Toler wore significant make-up for the role, and Oland--although a Swede by birth--actually had a strong strain of Asian ancestry in his family tree. But most significantly, while Chan often allows the suspects to dismiss him through their own prejudices, as a character he is always presented in a positive light.

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS is a thoroughly enjoyable entry in the series, and in many respects the film's "old fashioned" qualities (watch out for that wild gorilla suit!) add to the fun. Recommended for Chan fans everywhere.
Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer


** "One small wind can raise much dust."

** "Earthquake may shatter the rock, but sand upon which rock stood, in same old place."

** "Never believe nightmare no matter how real it may seem."

** "Skeletons in closet always speak loudest to police."

---

Cast (in credits order
Warner Oland
....
Charlie Chan
Keye Luke
....
Lee Chan
George Brasno
....
Colonel Tim
Olive Brasno
....
Lady Tiny
Francis Ford
....
John Gaines
Maxine Reiner
....
Marie Norman
John McGuire
....
Hal Blake
Shirley Deane
....
Louise Norman
Paul Stanton
....
Joe Kinney
J. Carrol Naish
....
Tom Holt
Boothe Howard
....
Dan Farrell
Drue Leyton
....
Nellie Farrell
Wade Boteler
....
Lt. Macy
Shia Jung
....
Su Toy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Aasen
....
Giant Man (uncredited)
John Dilson
....
Doctor (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum
....
Mike (ticket taker) (uncredited)
Paul McVey
....
Ringmaster (uncredited)
Richard Ung
....
Charlie chan's son (uncredited)

Directed by
Harry Lachman
 
 
Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Robert Ellis
 
Helen Logan
 

Produced by
John Stone
....
associate producer
 
Cinematography by
Daniel B. Clark
 
 
Film Editing by
Alex Troffey
 
 
Art Direction by
Duncan Cramer
 
 
Costume Design by
William Lambert
 
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William Eckhardt
....
assistant director
 
Sound Department
Arthur von Kirbach
....
sound
 
Other crew
Earl Derr Biggers
....
character
Samuel Kaylin
....
musical director
 

Production Companies
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Distributors
• Teakwood Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Runtime: 72 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Sound Mix: Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)