Charlie Chan Carries On: A messy but fun travelogue mystery

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-school detective stories where people wear tuxedos to dinner, then yes. You should watch this if you enjoy a mystery that feels like a vacation.

You will probably hate it if you can't stand the slow, crackly audio of early 1930s talkies. Or if you want a detective who actually does things instead of just talking.

The first thing that hits you is how fast everyone talks. It’s like they were worried the film would run out if they didn't hurry up.

The plot starts in London with a dead body in a hotel. Standard stuff, really. But then the whole movie turns into a cruise ship tour.

We go from London to Nice and then to San Remo. It feels a bit like a travel brochure with some murder thrown in for flavor.

Warner Oland doesn't even show up for a long time. The movie spends a lot of energy on the other passengers first.

When he finally arrives, he has this very specific way of moving. He’s calm while everyone else is losing their minds. 🕵️‍♂️

There is this one scene in a hotel room where the shadows are super long. It actually looks pretty cool, even if the acting is a bit stiff.

I noticed one guy in the background of the Hong Kong scene who looks totally lost. He’s just standing there holding a suitcase and looking at the ceiling while the main actors argue.

The wisecracks are actually decent. They don't feel as dusty as you might expect from 1931.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Charlie Chan Carries On (1931) through its definitive frames.

It’s definitely more entertaining than The Russell Affair. That one felt like it would never end.

One reaction shot of a lady screaming goes on for way too long. It almost becomes a comedy for a second.

I like how the movie doesn't try to be too deep. It just wants to show you some pretty locations and a clever solution.

The writing is a bit clunky in the middle. Some of the clues just kind of fall into Chan's lap without much effort.

It reminds me a bit of Scamps and Scandals but with less focus on the romance. Which is a good thing here.

There’s a weird bit where someone mentions a doctor, and then we never see that doctor again. I think they might have cut a scene out by mistake.

The ending happens so fast you might blink and miss it. One minute they are eating, the next the killer is caught.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a solid way to spend an hour. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. 🚢

I'd say it’s better than Flight if you want something with more of a plot. Even if the plot is a bit messy at times.

The hats in this movie are incredible. Everyone has a different, very tall hat.

Anyway, it's a fun relic. Watch it for the vibes and the weirdly fast dialogue.