Copyright 7 August 1936 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 14 August 1936 (ran one week). U.S. release: 7 August 1936. 6,300 feet. 70 minutes. SYNOPSIS: A gambling syndicate moves in on a Melbourne Cup winner.NOTES: Number twelve of the sixteen pictures made by Warner Oland in the series, and the first of three to be directed by Lucky Humberstone (who also directed Sidney Toler in his initial entry, Charlie Chan in Honolulu). Shooting from 15 May 1936 through 18 June 1936. Locations filmed at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California. COMMENT: For once the screenplay plays scrupulously fair with viewers. Not a clue is hidden away from our sight, to be suddenly produced by the detective at the climactic unmasking of the villain. Everything is played out in front of the audience and often explained, but nonetheless Mr X is most cleverly concealed. Even I didn't penetrate that intriguing business with the fake letters, though Charlie's motive is commendably simple and the actual clue itself is quite prominently thrust before our eyes on no less than two occasions.What's more important, however, is that Race Track can in no way be described as a talk feast. In fact, it emerges as one of the most incident-packed of the whole series. Maybe I missed a few, but I counted two murders, two fires, two shootings, two stunt-filled horse races, one explosion, and at least one hair's-breadth escape. Nor do the writer's stint on supplying Charlie with some typically ready rejoinders, including the following bon mots: "Good wife best household furniture"; "Smart fly keep out of gravy"; "Easy to criticize, more difficult to correct"; "Foolish to seek elsewhere when great treasure hidden under nose"; "Rabbit run very fast, but sometimes turtle win race"; "Truth sometimes like stab of cruel knife."No other actor can match Warner Oland at his best (as here) for smooth charm, convincing Orientalism and delicious delivery. Alan Dinehart (love his hat!), Gavin Muir, Helen Wood and Frankie Darro contribute some fine work in support, and there's a stand-out performance from the cinema's number one seedy ship-steward, John Rogers who has some delightful run-ins with Chan's number one son, Keye Luke. I also enoyed the antics of "Lollipop", the clever monkey who offers more than a comic diversion, but provides Chan (and us) with a vital clue. Keen film buffs will also relish the chance to catch director Lucky Humberstone as the dapper gambler who causes Charlie and son to kidnapped. (And as for Lucky's actual direction, it rates as fast, smooth, ultra-proficient and even inventive. Just look at those swish dissolves). A classy production all around, Race Track rates as deservedly one of the most popular movies in the entire 53-picture series.

The story begins with Charlie Chan giving a lesson is blood stain pattern to the Honolulu police, but that is interrupted by news of a horse race which excites everybody, and the policemen all place their bets. Unfortunately the favored horse loses. But that horse, along with their fellow racehorses, are taken aboard a ship from Australia to Honolulu, and en route the favored horse's owner is murdered, supposedly by being kicked by a horse. Chan is called in and quickly proves otherwise, but this is only the beginning.The ship goes to the U. S. mainland where the horses are to race, but there are some gambling racketeers behind the scenes-what do they plan to do, and can Chan foil them? Again the story keeps you guessing, and comic relief aplenty is provided by Number One Son and his antics. There is another stereotypical high-strung black person who plays a minor role in this movie. (The problem is less that such characters exist than the fact that black people never seem to be cast in any other roles in that era.)

Charlie Chan's old friend is murdered after he threatens to break up a racehorse gambling ring. Charlie investigates and finds lots of suspicious characters involved. Seems like every one of the popular movie detectives from the '30s and '40s eventually had a case involving horse racing. This one mixes the horse racing backdrop with that of an ocean liner mystery. This is a lesser but still enjoyable entry in the series. Possibly the "worst" of the Oland Chan movies, which says a lot about how good the series was. Keye Luke is still great fun as "Number One Son" Lee. Unfortunately there is also a cowardly stablehand character named Streamline that will be pretty offensive to modern audiences. Thankfully, he's not in the movie a lot. All of the suspects in this one are slimy. It was hard guessing who the killer was because they all seemed capable of it.

***SPOILERS*** Chinese/American P.I Charlie Chan, played by non Orientel Scandinavian Warner Oland, has his hands s full here getting shot and kidnapped by a gang of bookies as he uncovers a sinister plot to make a big and illegal score by them in switching horses in the up and coming rich Santa Juanita Handicap for three year old's and ups. It's the favorite in the race Avalanche who's been switch with another horse during an arson fire on the ship taking him from Honolulu to L.A for the big race. That's after the horses owner Major Kent, George Irving, was found dead in Avalanche's stall after he got Charlie Chan to investigate why his horse was made to get disqualified in his last race the Melbourne Cup in far off Australia.Charlie gets the help of his #1 bumbling son Lee, Keye Luke, in doing all the leg and dirty work for him in uncovering the plot for the bookies to make a major killing at the race track. Charlie himself escapes from his captors, the bookies, together with #1 son Lee to get to the Santa Juanita Park to re -witch the two horses. That while Lee disguised as a Chinese laundry boy distracts the security guards by exploding his laundry truck just before the big race started. Still determined to pull off their scheme in winning the race the bookies plan to stop the now real Avalanche from winning by shooting him with a blowgun just before he hits the finish line.***SPOILERS*** It's after the race that the truth comes out to who was responsible for all the crimes, including two murders, that lead up to it. Charlie in his unique way of explaining the facts behind the case was so boring and mechanical in explaining them that the person responsible just without as much as a whimper turned himself into the police. That in him knowing that life behind bars or even being executed was far better then being Chinese water tortured or talked to death by Charlie Chan.