Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Executscan Expected more

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Prichards12345 Charlie Chan in Shanghai sees Charlie on the trail of opium smugglers, and the movie itself is fairly action orientated rather than a sedate murder mystery. Charlie himself and his number one son Lee (Keye Luke) end up being kidnapped by the gang, who of course have a mysterious leader plotting to kill Charlie himself...Early on, following a warning, there's an attempt on Chan's life, and the film moves briskly along; another fine performance from Warner Oland helps see it home. In truth, though I figured out what was happening and nailed the villain's identity fairly quickly. Once again action is the order of the day as Charlie and the police have a shootout with the gang at the film's conclusion, in which they are quickly rounded up.This is a decent Chan movie; but I've lowered my mark a little because I guessed who the main killer was. Enjoying the series immensely overall.

Cinemafou This is an engaging whodunit with a particularly charming back and forth between Warner Oland and Keye Luke. A good bit of action as well, with some some fisticuffs and bang bang. I was intrigued by several occasions where Chinese is spoken, although it appears none of it was critical to the plot. Certainly it is appropriate considering the locale in Shanghai. Some good little surprises here and there, with Charlie always ahead of everyone else in spite of a couple of perilous encounters.If you like this series in general, you should be quite pleased with this entry. Warner Oland is, at least I think, the best Chan, showing warmth and wit and a playfulness his antecedents seem to lack.

dwpollar 1st watched 7/18/2009 - 6 out of 10 (Dir- James Tinling): Good mystery crime drama from the Charlie Chan vault. In this one he's in his homeland and a murder occurs at his reception of a British Intelligence man. Chan and his number one son are put on the case which eventually leads to an opium gang in the mother land. This is a good complex mystery that you have to pay really close attention to if you want to understand how it is solved. The main characters are also fun to watch as the son is always getting caught on the phone with a girl while he's supposed to be waiting for a phone call for his father. Warner Oland plays the Charlie Chan character well as we see the quiet smarts win over --as happens in all his cases. Otherwise, this is a pretty basic story but is done well and is effective.

JoeKarlosi CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI (1935) This is a decent if unremarkable Warner Oland Chan entry, though there are some good moments teaming up with Keye Luke as his Number One son. Here, the father and son team are in their native China where Charlie is being honored at a dinner. Things take a morbid turn when a good friend of Chan's gets killed while making a speech, and it may or may not be intentional. The detective then becomes a target as he investigates an opium smuggling ring.**1/2 out of four