Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Charlie Chan in Honolulu marked Sidney Toler's debut in the series. Confronting the late Warner Oland on what was his own turf, Toler proved a more than able substitute. True, he was a surrounded by a first-rate support cast, including Phyllis Brooks as the lovely lady in distress, George Zucco and Marc Lawrence as red herrings and, above all, rubber-faced Eddie Collins as the bravest comedian in the business. The plot, containing an intriguing puzzle by Charles Belden, was skilfully directed by Lucky Humberstone and atmospherically photographed by Charles Clarke.This movie debuted at New York's Central on December 31, 1938. The Fox DVD rates a perfect ten out of ten.

*Spoiler/plot- Charlie Chan in Honolulu, 1938. Honolulu Police Lieutenant Charlie Chan is aphorism-spouting oriental sleuth, while his son debut as Charlie's Number Two Son, Jimmy. While awaiting the birth of his first grandchild, Chan endeavors to solve a shipboard murder involving $300,000.000 on a Hawaiian freighter.*Special Stars- Sidney Toler, Victor Sen Yung, George Zucco, Eddie Collins, Phyllis Brooks, Marc Lawrence, Richard Lane, James P Spencer.*Theme- A good detective always uses all his senses to defeat crime.*Trivia/location/goofs- Sidney Toler made his first appearance as aphorism-spouting oriental sleuth Charlie Chan in 1938's Charlie Chan in Honolulu, while Victor Sen Yung likewise makes his series debut as Charlie's Number Two son, Jimmy.*Emotion- This was an enjoyable film because we learn and see the family life of the famous Charlie Chan. His large family is mentioned in all seceding film of this series. The family matters make the character as lovable and interesting to the film's fans. The best of the film's for it's humanity.

This was the first Chan film in which Sidney Toler took over the main role from Warner Oland, and he is immediately masterful and acceptable in the part of the Asian detective. I didn't expect to enjoy Toler, not only since I am an Oland fan, but because my first exposure to him was through seeing one of his later mediocre Monogram Chan quickies from the '40s. But this debut has Toler in fine and confident form.The film begins with a humorous dinner at the Chan home, with Charlie's wife and 10+ children. We quickly establish who the detective is and where he comes from, and then we see that his enthusiastic #2 son Jimmy (well played by Victor Sen Yung) is as excited about being a detective as his older #1 brother Lee had been in the Oland series. When a call arrives for Chan to investigate a murder aboard a small freighter, son Jimmy intercepts and decides to impersonate his dad to get some quality sleuthing in. Some fun happenings ensue before Charlie Chan himself gets wind of it and ultimately joins Jimmy on board to handle the case.This is an all-around entertaining chapter in the series, with assistance too from George Zucco, as one of the mysterious suspects aboard the ship who collects criminal brains. There are some annoying bits by one of those typical "silly 1930s funnymen" used for comic relief in the mix, but what makes it all work is how effortlessly Sidney Toler and Sen Yung slip into their roles formerly undertaken by Warner Oland and Keye Luke, as the new father and son. *** out of ****

This was the first Charlie Chan movie to star Sidney Toler (following the death of Warner Oland). Along with a new Chan came a new Chan Child, as Victor Sen Yung (Jimmy Chan--also called #2 Son) took over from Keye Luke. In the case of Toler, he was a bit different from Oland--less servile and passive--more cranky and physical. I liked the jobs both men did as Chan and couldn't help but laugh at Toler's cranky comments about the bumbling Jimmy.The plot involves a murder on a freighter bound for Hawaii. When the police call the Chan household to ask him to investigate, one of the Chan children (Layne Tom Jr.) takes the call but instead of telling his father, tells Jimmy. Jimmy, like #1 Son, wants to be a detective and decides to investigate on his own. Later, fortunately, Charlie arrives to extricate Jimmy from the mess he created! The plot is okay though not great by Chan standards. The biggest fault I had with it was that some of the characters acted so stupidly you wish Chan had just arrested them all! For example, when he tells everyone to stay on the ship when it arrives so he can complete the investigation, one of them runs from the ship anyways! Also, George Zucco's character is just bizarre and crazy--like he should be in one of his B-horror films--yet he's supposed to be a psychiatrist! Despite these and other writing gaffs, the film is entertaining enough to watch and enjoy as well as not miss Oland's talents all that much. A good, but not great first effort from Toler.