“Rising generation sit too much.” (Charlie Chan – “The Shanghai Cobra”

Greetings! Our film for this week’s Monday Evening Chat and Film Viewing will be: “The Shanghai Cobra,” as we celebrate the birthday of Earl Derr Biggers!

Quick Synopsis: Charlie Chan is sent by the government to investigate several murders connected with a bank where a vital store of radium is kept. A number of employees of the bank have been killed by an injection of cobra venom. Chan remembers a similar case back in Shanghai in 1937, but the suspect in those murders, his face disfigured in an explosion, escaped. Number Tree Son, Tommy, and assistant Birmingham Brown help the detective as the trio places themselves in mortal danger as they track down the illusive "Cobra Killer."
The Facts:
Monogram Pictures Corporation
Distributed: Monogram Pictures Corporation, September 29, 1945
Production: Late May to mid-June 1945
Copyright: Monogram Pictures Corporation, August 5, 1945; LP56
New York Preview: August 1, 1945
Sound: Western Electric Recording
Film: Black and white
Length: 5,797 feet
Running Time: 63-64 minutes
Source: Based on the Charlie Chan character created by Earl Derr Biggers

Producer: James S. Burkett
Director: Phil Karlson
Assistant Director: Eddie Davis (not credited)
Screenplay: George Callahan and George Wallace Sayre
Original Story: George Callahan
Director of Photography: Vincent Farrar
Editor: Ace Herman
Production Manager: Glen Cook
Musical Direction: Edward J. Kay
Art Direction: Dave Milton
Recording: Tom Lambert
Technical Director: Ormand McGill (not credited)


CAST:

Sidney Toler: Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland: Birmingham Brown
Benson Fong: Tommy Chan
James Caldwell: Ned Stewart
Joan Barclay: Paula Webb (alias Pauline Webster and Paula van Horn)
Addison Richards: John Adams (alias Jan van Horn)
Arthur Loft: Bradford Harris (alias Special Agent Hume)
Janet Warren: Lorraine
Gene Stutenroth: Morgan
Joe Devlin: Taylor
James Flavin: H.R. Jarvis
Roy Gordon: Walter Fletcher
Walter Fenner: Inspector Harry Davis
George Chandler: Joe Nelson (not credited)
Mary Moore: Rita (not credited)
Cyril Delevanti: Larkin (not credited)
Stephan Gregory: Samuel Black (not credited)
Bob Blair: Corning (not credited)
Bill Ruhl: Gregory (not credited)
John Goldsworthy: Manwaring (not credited)
Tiny Newlin: Guard (not credited)
Andy Andrews: Policeman (not credited)
Karon Knight: Telephone Switchboard Supervisor (not credited)
Dianne Quillan: Telephone Operator (not credited)
Jack Richardson: Mailman (not credited)
Bob Blkair: Corning (not credited)
Bill Ruhl: Gregory (not credited)

Notes: The title card for this film reads: ‘Charlie Chan in "The Shanghai Cobra"’. George Chandler, who plays Joe, the coffee shop owner, appeared in three other Charlie Chan movies: “Charlie Chan at the Olympics,” “Castle in the Desert,’ and “The Chinese Cat.”

Where: Our Charlie Chan family Chat Room, located at charliechan.info.

When: Monday evening, August 31, beginning at 5:00 Eastern time.

EVEN IF you cannot access a copy of the above-noted film, please do join us anyway, as you will NOT be left out of our ongoing chat and festivities. Also, as is our custom, new comers are offered the seat of honor at our humble table. Many of our films, such as this week’s entry, may be found available for viewing online through such outlets as YouTube, etc.

To find a copy of our film online: Go to YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJgaENlDyx8

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CHARLIE CHAN: If you don’t yet have a set of these 39 wonderful half-hour crime dramas starring J. Carrol Naish and James Hong, please consider obtaining one. “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan” was produced in 1957 and takes place in many exotic locales around the world, mainly Europe. Many of the episodes were actually shot on location, offering us a glimpse of parts of the world as they were nearly 60 years ago, and we can also see how some places are much the same to this day. All this and 39 worthy mysteries as well! On occasion, we will be focusing on some of these adventures during our Monday Evening Chats, and “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan” can be found for sale throughout the Internet. Please take some time ad take a look at our information on “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan” at our Charlie Chan Family Home. I have nearly completed the task of documenting each of the stories, and, hopefully, that may be completed by summer’s end!
Take care, have a happy, safe Monday, and let’s gather as we always do this evening for a Chan-filled night of a fine movie, sharing, and fun!

Sincerely,
Rush Glick