django-1 Review of Shadows Over Chinatown

Shadows Over Chinatown (1946)

one of the last Chan films with Sidney Toler--OK for fans of series

[8/10 · 30 December 2003]

I didn't think much of this when I first saw it years ago, but upon re-watching it I don't think it's that bad. True, it's not as good as the first half-dozen Chans that Toler made at Monogram, but the chemistry between Chan, his son, and Birmingham Brown is still entertaining, and there are a number of interesting supporting characters (and red herrings). The cheap sets and drab visual style actually create a fitting mood for the film, and while it's easy to pick apart a film like this, Toler isn't around to make any more, so we should enjoy what there is to enjoy about the ones we have.If you are already a fan of the series, you'll probably want to see this--just don't be to critical of it while watching. If you haven't seen any of Toler's Monogram output, start with THE CHINESE CAT, THE JADE MASK, THE SCARLET CLUE, or IN THE SECRET SERVICE, and save this one and THE TRAP for later.