“Ancient proverb say, ‘One small wind can raise much dust.’" (Charlie Chan – “Dark Alibi”

Greetings! Our film for this week’s Monday Evening Chat and Film Viewing will be: “Dark Alibi” as we continue on our trip through the entire Charlie Chan film series.

Quick Synopsis: Ex-convict Thomas Harley is arrested for robbing a bank and killing a bank guard. He claims that he was summoned to a theatrical warehouse by a note that sent to him by a former cell mate named James Wyatt and was subsequently locked inside at the time the robbery and killing took place. The police do not believe his alibi because Wyatt has been dead for eight years. Fingerprints belonging to Harley are found at the crime scene, and he is put on trial, found guilty, and condemned to death. Desperate to prove her father innocent, Harley's daughter, June asks Charlie Chan to help her and her father.

The Facts:
Monogram Pictures Corporation
Distributed: Monogram Pictures Corporation, May 25, 1946
Production: Began mid-December 1945
Copyright: Monogram Pictures Corporation, March 26, 1946; LP184
Sound: Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording
Film: Black and white
Length: 5,528 feet
Running Time: 60-61 minutes
Production Code Administration Certificate Number: 11408
Source: Based on the character created by Earl Derr Biggers

Producer: James S. Burkett
Director: Phil Karlson
Assistant Director: Theodore Joos
Second Assistant Director: Joel Kronish (not credited)
Original Screenplay: George Callahan
Script Supervisor: Ilona Vos (not credited)
Photography: William Sickner
Assistant Cameraman: Joe Farley (not credited)
Second Camera: Al Nicklin (not credited)
Operator: Al Nicklin (not credited)
Loader: Bud Davidson (not credited)
Special Effects: Larry Glickman and Mario Castegnaro (neither credited)
Technical Director: Dave Milton
Supervising Film Editor: Richard Currier
Editor: Ace Herman
Set Dresser: Max Pitman (not credited)
Musical Direction: Edward J. Kay
Recording: Tom Lambert
Recorder: Dean Spencer
Mike Man: Louis Johnson
Re-recording and Effects Mixing: Joseph I. Kane (not credited)
Music Mixing: William H. Wilmarth (not credited)
Production Manager: Glenn Cook
Still Man: Bill Wallace (not credited)
Cable Man: H.G. Bavaird (not credited)
Prop Man: Johnny Orlando (not credited)
Second Prop Man: Al Seiger (not credited)
Grip: Harry Lewis (not credited)
Second Grip: George Carstensen (not credited)
Wardrobe Man: Harry Bourne (not credited)
Wardrobe Woman: Nanette Smith (not credited)
Gaffer: John Lee (not credited)
Electrical: M.H. Serotte (not credited)
Special Effects: Augie Lohman (not credited)
Casting - Parts: Menifee Johnstone (not credited)
Casting - Bits: Rose Alexander (not credited)
Casting - Extras: Bert Hampton (not credited)
Makeup: Harry Ross (not credited)
Hairdresser: Sandra Walters (not credited)

CAST:

Sidney Toler: Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland: Birmingham Brown
Ben Carter: Ben Carter
Benson Fong: Tommy Chan
Teala Loring: June Harley
George Holmes: Hugh Kensey
Joyce Compton: Emily Evans
John Eldridge: Anthony R. Morgan
Russell Hicks: Warden Cameron
Tim Ryan: Foggy
Janet Shaw: Miss Petrie
Edward Earle: Thomas Harley
Ray Walker: Danvers
Milton Parsons: Johnson
Edna Holland: Mrs. Foss
Anthony Warde: Jimmy Slade
George Eldredge: Brand
Meyer Grace: Doorman
William Ruhl: Thompson (not credited)
Frank Marlowe: Barker (not credited)

Notes: The film's working titles were “Fatal Fingerprints,” “Fatal Fingertips,” and “Charlie Chan in Alcatraz.” Stock footage used in “Dark Alibi” shows California's San Quentin State Prison. The opening title card reads: "Charlie Chan in 'Dark Alibi.'" The Call Bureau Cast Service Lists Minerva Urecal as "Mrs. Foss." However, production information included in the file on the film at the American Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library states that she was replaced by Edna Holland, who is listed in the onscreen credits.

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

When: Monday evening, September 6, 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: (Sorry, no copy could be found online…)

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 for yet another Chan-filled night of a fine movie, sharing…and FUN!

Sincerely,
Rush Glick