Very Cool!!!

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.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Starts off at the US Embassy in Mexico City. Scenery of street makes Mexico city look very nice. Walter Dorn wants to get Charlie Chan to go there regarding secret plans of a Mr Wyans which someone tried to rob twice. It is kind of confusing as to what countries are dealing with who for the plans.At the airport Chattanooga Brown is Chan's driver. When they land in Mexico City he is with Chan's son Tommy and Charlie Chan. Brown is a cousin of Birmingham Brown. Birmingham is funnier though in other episodes. Chan is waiting for Dorn to pick them up and he is told Dorn is dead.Walter Dorn is killed at a gathering at Wayan's apartment by a gunshot. There are many people invited there. Insp.Luis Carvero takes Chan there and they did not find anyone with a gun. Charlie Chan has some doubts' about Inspector Carvero because the Inspector has has a relationship with one of the women where Dorn was killed and Chan thinks he might be biased.People get shot but no gun visible. Chan has to figure out what is going on. He has figured out the new plan will make a atom bomb more explosive. So more investigating needed.

A man who has knowledge of a new element that will be used to create an enormous A- bomb is killed as he talks to a group of people who late become suspects. Since this is a matter of national security, our famous detective is called to the scene. Of course, one of his sons is there and so is Chattanooga Brown, the cousin of Birmingham Brown (the Mantan Moreland character). Because there is no identifying the bullet through ballistics, things get kind of hairy. Most of the suspects are spies or others who have done some evil dealings in the past. Soon, murders are being committed. Sometimes the humor gets in the way . Can one imagine something as serious as a nuclear weapon being created as these guys bumble around. Nevertheless, it still has some charm.

I like this Charlie Chan film. It has some drama, some humor (the son and the driver) and the search for the killer is intriguing. The most appealing part of this movie and one I did not figure out is how the people are killed. I would have never have thought of using a thermostat that could be placed on the wall and then activated by a radio signal to shoot people. It turns out to be a very clever idea, hopefully not one that has actually been used, but who knows. Chan spouts adages that are suppose to be of Chinese origins. They do sound like they might be real but again who knows?? I also like the understated interplay between Chan and the suspects.

Sidney Toler brings dignity to the role of Charlie Chan, even in these poor-relation Monogram entries. The script isn't great, but it's still good to see Toler as Chan and some of Hollywood's important character and supporting actors such as George Meeker, Don Costello, and Charles Trowbridge in supporting roles. Willie Best is fine as Chattanooga Brown.