Remake

 

 (imdb)

PHANTOM KILLER-1942-A janitor named Nicodemus (the one and only Mantan Moreland) finds the dead body of an executive after giving the suspected killer a light. He identifies the murderer as John Harrison (John Hamilton), a "society big shot" who also happens to be a deaf mute. (although he talked to Nicodemus). The police captain (J. Farrell MacDonald) and his Sargent (Warren Hymer) give the case to the DA. Prosecutor Clarke (Dick Purcell; two years later he played Captain America in the serial of the same name) believes Harrison is guilty but the DA will have none of it. Even his reporter girlfriend Barbara (Joan Woodbury;KING OF THE ZOMBIES) was with Harrison at a gathering. But Harrison is the killer and is not mute or deaf. Several more victims follow including the captain when he gets too close to Harrison's secret. 

It's pretty obvious what's going on but I liked this low budget crime drama with a twist (it's a remake of THE SPHINX from 1933 which starred Lionel Atwill) because of the big role Hamilton has and that the dumb Sgt. wises up after his boss is murdered. Mantan Moreland is (unfortunately) only in the first 15 minutes.

 “One Shot” William Beaudine was the director of this strange little Monogram picture. Lead actor Purcell died of a heart attack in 1944 at the age of 38. This was one of 14 feature films the legendary Manton Moreland was in in 1942. Of course John Hamilton later memorably portrayed Perry White on TV's “Superman”.

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Chan's Great White Way

CHARLIE CHAN ON BROADWAY-1937-While in the Big Apple being honored with a police escort, brass band and a banquet, Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) and son Lee (Keye Luke) become involved with the usual cast of characters. While on board an NYC bound ship, a woman named Billie Bronson (Louise Henry) has a package many people seem to want. She hides it in Chan’s trunk to get it passed customs. She can't get to it but instead goes to a club and kind of threatens the owner Johnny Berk (Douglas Fowley) after being warned to leave town by gangster Buzz Moran (Leon Ames). Billie winds up shot to death (last seen struggling with Berk over a gun) and Lee is held as a suspect. Charlie and the police Inspector Nelson (Harold Huber) are called away from the banquet. It turns out the hot item Billie possessed was her diary which contained a lot of dirt on the underworld. After some investigating, Charlie gathers everyone together at the Hottentot Club. Besides Berk suspects include his dancer/girlfriend Maria (Joan Woodbury), a newspaper publisher (J. Edward Bromberg) and mobster Moran.  A fast talking reporter Speed (Donald Woods) who’s always trying to scoop a female photographer (Joan Marsh) finds the body. Marc Lawrence is a mysterious early victim and Lon Chaney Jr has an un-billed cameo.

Director Eugene Forde would go on to direct more of the (pretend) Asian detective's cases.

The next Chan adventure would be CHARLIE CHAN IN MONTE CARLO which I reviewed years ago!

It's here: https://moviemeltdown.blogspot.com/2015/12/chans-back.html

That's followed by CHARLIE CHAN IN HONOLULU

https://moviemeltdown.blogspot.com/2009/05/aloha-charlie.html



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Living?

THE LIVING GHOST-1942-Stupid Mongram whodunnit with a former detective (James Dunn) coming out of retirement (after being a phony swami) to solve a murder in an old house. Joan Woodbury plays his love interest and there are many suspects. There's some "haunted house" scenes but it's mainly a comedy. Mongram regular Minerva Urecal has a supporting role.

THE LIVING GHOST was one of eleven movies William "One Shot" Beaudine (whose directing career started in 1915) made in 1942. Star Dunn won a best actor Oscar portraying the father in A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN in 1945. Woodbury later starred in a Brenda Starr serial.

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