Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

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.

Blistering performances.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

A friend of Charlie Chan's dies on a flight to San Francisco, leaving behind cryptic clues about someone called Zodiac. Charlie discovers it's Dr. Zodiac, a phony psychic who may also be a blackmailer responsible for driving several people to suicide. So he investigates with unwanted help from "Number Two Son" Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung).Some really good support for Sidney Toler in this one. Victor Sen Yung provides the comic relief as Jimmy. Douglas Dumbrille, Donald MacBride, and Douglas Fowley were all fine character actors I always enjoy seeing. Cesar Romero has one of his better roles from the '30s. Also Sally Blane, aka Loretta Young's sister, plays Stella. Considered by many to be the best of the Toler Chan films. I would have to agree with that. The cast, interesting setting, and supernatural elements combine to make a very entertaining movie.

Sidney Toler is "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island" in this delightful 1939 20th Century Fox film. Toler is more energetic here than in the later films, where he fell into ill health. This film also features Victor Sen Yung as Jimmy Chan, Cesar Romero, and Loretta Young's sister, Sally Blane, who had a strong resemblance to her sister.The Charlie Chan films are rich in history, both in being un-politically correct and in what was going on at the time, since many of the mysteries centered around a famous event. This event is the 1939 World Exposition on San Francisco's Treasure Island. I wonder if planes ever really looked like that - big, comfortable deco chairs that looked like suede rather than leather. As one who travels often, I sighed when I saw them. On the plane is a friend of Charlie's who has recently vacationed in Hawaii and is going home to San Francisco. He's an author, but after he receives an upsetting radiogram, he is found dead, presumably from a heart attack. Charlie doesn't buy it. He thinks it might be murder or suicide. And a purported insurance man absconds with his manuscript. The radiogram had to do with "Zodiac" and as Charlie soon learns, Zodiac is a person, and Charlie sets out to expose him as a fake psychic and figure out why his clients are committing suicide.Because Hawaii isn't yet a state, everyone has to go through customs, which I found interesting.Very good mystery, though I had it figured out, having seen so many mysteries in my life. It's entertaining, it's fun, it moves right along. Jimmy Chan and his various disguises is a riot.

A nervous mystery writer drops dead mid-flight on his plane ride home to San Francisco. A heart attack? A suicide? His old friend Charlie Chan—also on the flight—thinks not. Once on the ground, Chan begins sorting through the clues and acquainting himself with a rich array of suspects.Douglas Fowley and Cesar Romero lead a colorful cast in this fast-moving mystery featuring blackmail, a bit of knife throwing, professional jealousy, and a couple of psychics—phony or otherwise. Sidney Toler is in good form as Charlie Chan, again assisted by Victor Sen Yung as number two son Jimmy.The plot involves a fortune teller and magician named Zodiac, a large masked figure whose true identity is somewhat mysterious. Romero is a rival magician who would like to unmask Zodiac; Fowley is a reporter who would love to catch a scoop exposing Zodiac as a fake. Adding to Fowley's motivation is his relationship with girlfriend Pauline Moore—a "real mind reader" who he thinks is being corrupted by her employment under the phony Zodiac. Moore is all nerves, impressively edgy, in a small but key role. Sly and sneaky Douglass Dumbrille is also hanging around suspiciously. Is he really an insurance actuary? What exactly is his interest in the manuscript that the murdered writer had finished just moments before his death? Mr. Chan develops a plan but warns it could be dangerous: "Advise caution. To destroy false prophet, must first unmask him before eyes of believers." It all builds to an exciting climax.The spooky atmosphere, a strong plot, and an excellent assortment of characters add up to a top-notch Chan mystery.

Fast-paced Sidney Toler who-done-it set at and around the Century of Progress Exhibition in San Francisco harbor. The exhibition was the West Coast's parallel to the 1939 New York World's Fair and the man-made Treasure Island existed and some of its building survived as parts of a naval station for many years. A new writer and producer contributed to the successful direction of Norman Foster who also excelled in his previous Chan effort. The use of close-ups and lighting contribute to the success of this film: Charlie Chan at Treasure Island is simply the best of the Sidney Toler Chan films and runs neck and neck with Charlie Chan at the Opera done by Warner Oland.The author of 'The Secret of the Pigmy Arrow' dies aboard an eastbound 4-engine flying boat China Clipper and the manuscript disappears as the passengers and crew disembark. 'Suicide induced by blackmail is murder.' The story line is believable and aided by Cesar Romero whose role as Fred Rhandini is reminiscent of a modern James Randi, exposing fraudulent faith healers and spiritualists. Pauline Moore returns for her third Chan film and is believable as a psychic who cannot resist the stronger mind of Dr. Zodiac.Clues and suspicious characters abound. It is possible to figure out the mystery along with Chan who shares most of what he uncovers with the viewer. 'Obvious clues like tricks in magic – usually prove deceptive.' Comic relief is provided by Victor Sen Yung as No. 2 son, Jimmy, to include a hilarious scene wearing a magician's coat. Only one racial slur directed his way 'A chip off the old chopstick.' Other supporting cast members are excellent in their roles.Highly recommended.