Though maybe a trifle too long, "Murder Cruise" is a superior entry in the "Charlie Chan" series. I noticed at the start that the script is based on an actual novel written by Earl Derr Biggers and not just on the character of Charlie Chan that was created by him, and indeed this is a nice thick mystery with a whole lot of suspects and multiple twists (and double-twists). There is a strong cast at work, with some recognizable names like Lionel Atwill and Leo Carroll playing two of the suspects; on the women's front, there is the lively Cora Witherspoon and the gorgeous Marjorie Weaver. Number 2 Son is more helpful (if still somewhat clumsy), and more likable, than usual in this entry. The shipboard settings add some spice to the proceedings. My favorite Chan line: "To speak without thinking is to shoot without aiming". Ain't that the truth! *** out of 4.

The now legendary sleuth Charlie Chan(Sidney Toler)boards a cruise ship from Honolulu to San Francisco to solve the murder of one of his pals from Scotland Yard. It is all but certain the killer has to be a passenger on board ship, but which one? Charlie is joined by Number Two son Jimmy(Victor Sen Yung), help or hindrance...only to find more murder and a handful of suspicious passengers. Capable killers are Professor Gordon(Leo G. Carroll), Dr. Suderman(Lionel Atwell) and Jeremiah Walters(Charles Middleton). One of the better capers from the Chan franchise. Other players: Marjorie Weaver, Robert Lowery, Kay Linaker and Don Beddoe.

"Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise" is at the top of many fans favorite lists, as it is mine. Sidney Toler once again portrays the Oriental Detective, assisted by Victor Sen Yung as Number #2 Son Jimmy. Layne Tom Jr. also appears as numerically challenged Number #7 Son Willie; he had made prior appearances as Number #2 Son Charlie Jr. in "At the Circus" and "At the Olympics" with Warner Oland, and as unnumbered son Tommy in "Honolulu". Interestingly, the young Layne Tom appeared in Chan films with both Oland and Toler, though Sen Yung never appeared in a Warner Oland Chan film.The rest of the cast is an interesting mix as well; Lionel Atwill appears as mystery cruise director Dr. Suderman, Leo (minus the G.) Carroll is introduced as archeology Professor Gordon, and Charles Middleton and Claire Du Brey portray a nervously rigid couple, the Walters. Cora Witherspoon is also on hand as a member of the cruise party, offering comic relief as socialite Suzie Watson who bewilders Chan with her confusing descriptions of characters on board.When the dust finally clears, four murders have taken place; one in Charlie's Honolulu office, one in a Honolulu hotel, and two more on board a cruise ship heading to San Francisco. All are by strangulation using various means, a suitcase strap in one case, a leather shoelace in another. Adding additional intrigue, the murderer leaves an unusual calling card with victim number two, a small bag containing thirty dimes representing the Biblical Judas' thirty pieces of silver.With clever attention to detail, Chan is pointed in the right direction by Professor Gordon's slip up, commenting on an aspect of Chinese history. Gordon should have known better, particularly since it's later revealed that he had the foresight to have his accomplice Ross (James Beddoe) masquerade as his own disguised double as a street beggar to throw Charlie off track. Cunning as the ruse was, it was no match for Chan's investigative ability.Until this film, the body count in a Chan film had never gone higher than three. Sometimes more is not better, but in this movie it works, even though victim two was killed in a case of mistaken identity. The way the story unfolds, especially with the curve thrown by circumstances surrounding the second victim, makes for an entertaining and well played out mystery.One of my favorite lines from the film - Charlie refers to son Jimmy as "miniature Sherlock".

This is a tight little entry in the Charlie Chan series concerning the tracking down of a serial killer on a cruise ship. Sidney Toler and Sen Yung are in good form as Charlie and his impetuous son, Jimmy. The supporting cast would be outstanding for an A film. With Lionel Atwill on-board as (I kid you not) cruise director you know you're in for a good, scary time. The Chan series was at its peak when this one got made. Warner Oland, whose dour presence had put Charlie on the map, so to speak, was but a memory by 1940. Toler was a more jovial Chan, and his good humor set the tone for the rest of the series. The actors in the film, which include Charles Middleton and Claire Du Brey, as a stuffy religious couple, do their deadpan best to keep the story afloat and suspenseful, adding just a touch of the diabolical. There's a festive air in this one, and a neat game of shuffleboard with Don Beddoe.