Hi Rush,
This movie was in an old theatre in the Junction which was a area in the west end of Toronto in the early fifties.It certaily was at an early age for me.
It is a moment that i simply have not forgotten and makes basements scary. I do not know the movie name or even the ending although Charlie must have solved the crime.
I hope that you can help me.

Thanks again
Walt

Dear Walt,

I still feel that the movie that gave you the memory that you recall from your warly youth was one of the Monogram Charlie Chan films. Charlie chan never worked with a nephew, but did solve cases with a number of sons and two daughters.

It could be that you are combining events from different movies. The only "boney hands" that come to mind appeared in two films. One was that of a prop skeleton that scared Birmingham Brown in an abandoned funhouse "The Chinese Cat." Another appeared in "Black Magic" (aka "Meeting at Midnight"). This was another prop skeleton that, this time, frightened Chan's daughter, Frances.

One tempting possibility is that your memory is based on something you saw in a Charlie Chan picture that is now considered lost. In "Charlie Chan's Greatest Case," there is a scene near the beginning of the movie where John Quincy Winterslip searches an old San Francisco home's dark attic with his uncle Roger. Charlie Chan is not in this scene, and does not show up until a bit later in the film. The following comes from a script for this movie which may be read through in its entirety elsewhere here at our Charlie Chan Family Home:

SCENE 34
INTERIOR DAN'S HOUSE


JOHN: (Looking up impatiently) But it all seems so ridiculous. If I understand it, I'm supposed to get this box of his and on the boat going over, drop it into the ocean. Is that right?

ROGER: Absolutely.

JOHN: (Exasperated) Well, then, it's nonsensical. Evidently it is of no value. Then why isn't it just as well off here as it is at the bottom of the Pacific?

Roger takes John by the arm with friendly force, and starts him up the stairs.

ROGER: Because that's the way Dan wants it, my boy, and it's always wise to accommodate Dan.

SCENE 35
ATTIC
A faint ray comes through a window high in a gable. We can just discern the movement of a shadowy figure, crossing the center of the room.

Then we hear Roger and John coming up the stairs, the light of the flash preceding them. The next moment they appear.


ROGER: I guess that's the trunk over there.

As Roger flashes the light on the trunk, the flashlight is suddenly struck from his hand. He shouts. John finds himself struggling with an unseen assailant. Roger joins in the scrap and the flashlight rolling crazily across the floor, throws weird circles of light on the struggle. Finding himself outnumbered, the mysterious stranger makes a break for the stairway. We can hear his feet pattering on the steps as he runs down. Roger picks up the flash and turns it upon John who is starting after the intruder.

ROGER: Wait!

JOHN: (Excitedly) Let's get him!

Roger has now turned the flash on the trunk which we see is opened, and is bending over it with the flashlight shining on its contents.

ROGER: If he's after what we're after, he didn't get it.

Does any of this ring a bell for you, Walt? Again, I ask anyone else who may have a thought on your mystery to offer any suggestions!

Sincerely,
Rush Glick

Rush,
I do remember this coal furnace that opened up where the coal goes in and this is where the bony arms came out of. The arms cames out and choked a person who dropped his flashlight and false teeth came out too!
It was a long time ago and maybe it was a son who came after to examine the body on the floor.
Thanks for your help.
Will keep looking.
PS. Where can you get the movieBlack Magic?

I would like to know the movie that keeps haunting me for my whole life.
Bony hands and arms come out of an old coal furnace and choke the victim who drops his flashlight and dies.
Charlie has to solve the murder?
I forgot the ending but i still remember the scene and Charlie and his nephew discussing the crime.
Help?

Walt,
I can remember a skelton in the basement of Black Magic (aka Meeting at Midnight). It does come out of a darkened area but I always understrood it came from another room.
I also have all the Chans but can't remember one where Charlie is on a case with a nephew. He was always with a son and/or daughter, and maybe an assistant like Birmingham Brown (depending on the movie).
Sorry I couldn't help find your movie because it sounds nice and spooky!
Virginia

Hi, Virginia
Thanks for your help.
It was a long time ago and i guess it might have been his son!
Do you know where i could buy this movie.

Thnanks again

Walt

Walt,
Sorry I haven't replied to your post.

Our computer has been down (and I won't/can't repeat what I've called it in the meantime!).

About buying Chan movies . . . Click on the "Return to Website" at the top right corner of this page. Go to "Links" when the main Chan board pops up. You'll find several good links to go to for finding any and all the Chans you want!

Virginia "I'm Late But Am I Worth Waiting For?!" Johnson

Virginia,

Thanks again for your information and time.
You are worth waiting for and i will search the site for movies of CC.
Walt

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Replying to:

Walt,
Sorry I haven't replied to your post.

Our computer has been down (and I won't/can't repeat what I've called it in the meantime!).

About buying Chan movies . . . Click on the "Return to Website" at the top right corner of this page. Go to "Links" when the main Chan board pops up. You'll find several good links to go to for finding any and all the Chans you want!

Virginia "I'm Late But Am I Worth Waiting For?!" Johnson

Virginia<

Thanks for your help.
It looks that maybe Black Magic might be that movie.
Will try and obtain it somehow.
Any ideas?

Walt

Honorable Sir,

Black Magic is other name for "Meeting at Midnight" which was the film we reviewed tonight. Very good film. I have the movie on vhs tape (two copies, my wife bought me one at a garage sale) and I have the DVD version sold with all 42 Charlie Chan movies. I have mentioned getting the movies on Ebay, but humble self have notion most of society Family here believe in only true sources like Andy and others. I have to buy cheapest I can and got all 42 with very very good DVD;s for $60.00 on Ebay. I have seen them for $67 and 75 dollars on Ebay. What you have to watch out for is the dealers and their feed back (must be near 100 or not good) and what they say about the description so that you don't buy copies of copies. Just a suggestion for those looking with limited budget.

Humbly hope this has been of help. Thank you so much.

Ken

Walt,
I might also add checking on the main menu of this website and clicking on "Links"--you'll find several venders, most of whom I have dealt with and found very reliable and I'm sure that Rush can vouch for them all.
Virginia