Our Monday Evening Chat and Film Viewing for this week is “Docks of New Orleans,” starring Roland Winters in the second of his six appearances as Charlie Chan. Mr. Chan, who is in the city of New Orleans with Number Two Son Tommy (Jimmy) and assistant and chauffeur, Birmingham Brown, is called upon to help solve a very puzzling case of murder. Can Chan find the killer before more victims fall to his cunning scheme? And, will he also be able to stop the plans of a ruthless gang of smugglers?

We begin, as usual, at 8:00 p.m., EASTERN time with arrivals and greetings and a trip to Virginia’s virtual beverage cart. Then, thirty minutes later, we begin running our personal copies of this very worthy film, which allows us to watch it together as our evening’s discussion progresses.

Our Chat Room is located RIGHT HERE at our Charlie Chan Family Home. Please use any of the “Chat Room” links to join us.

Even if you do not happen to have a copy of our featured movie, please do join us, as you will NOT be left out of our ongoing chat and festivities. Also, as is our custom, newcomers are offered the seat of honor at our humble table.

Let’s get together for much more fun as we watch Roland Winters in “Docks of New Orleans”…

Sincerely,
Rush Glick

Although this film is misnamed, the action taking place so briefly on the docks, it does have a number of redeeming qualities. It has an interesting and timely plot involving cold war-like pirating of an important poison gas formula. It has a number of suspects, an unusual murder weapon gimmick and the usual clueless local authorities. Mantan Moorland as Birmingham Brown is allowed a moment to shine with another of his amusing comic word play routines. Both he and Jimmy/Tommy get to contribute a bit to the proceedings. In fact, Birmingham is downright gung ho about getting involved in the case, as opposed to his past “feet don’t fail me now” attitude. Its main problem stems the unfortunate lack of warm family moments and references that made Chan so endearing as a family man. While Charlie is given the stinging barb lines to chastise his son it is forgotten to give him the more tender moments to soften the sting. Roland Winters handles himself admirably with some solid detective work and a cleaver psyche-out of the smugglers and unveiling of the killer. It seems to me he was beginning to grow into the role. It has many of the classic elements of a Chan vehicle. All in all it was a solid little story that demonstrated the value of the series and possibilities for the future.

Dear Russell,

"Thank you so much" for another good summary. I think that newcomers would be well advised to search out your past summaries of other Chan films on this humble Message Board. You always offer keen insights into these movies.

Sincerely,
Rush