“Levity is a great cure-all.” (Charlie Chan – “The Trap”
Greetings! Our film for this week’s Monday Evening Chat and Film Viewing is “The Trap,” which was, sadly, the final film made by Sidney Toler, who was to pass away short months later of cancer. Though in great pain, Mr. Toler gave us one final portrayal as Charlie Chan, and we can all be grateful for his efforts, as he pressed on in the face of such a daunting obstacle.
Quick Synopsis: The members of Cole King's variety troupe occupy a Malibu, California beach house. One of the showgirls disappears, and her body is discovered by San Toy, a Chinese member of the troupe. Because Lois has been strangled, a murder technique said to be favored by the Chinese and the French, both San Toy and Adelaide, who is French, are under immediate suspicion. San Toy, who is a friend of Jimmy Chan, asks his father to investigate.
The Facts:
Monogram Pictures Corporation
Distributed: Monogram Pictures Corporation, November 30, 1946
Production: Late July to mid-August 1946
Copyright: Monogram Pictures Corporation, November 26, 1946; LP728
Sound: Western Electric Sound System
Film: Black and white
Running Time: 69 minutes
Source: Based on the character created by Earl Derr Biggers
Producer: James S. Burkett
Director: Howard Bretherton
Assistant Director: Harold Knox
Original Screenplay: Miriam Kissinger
Director of Photography: James Brown
Technical Director: Dave Milton
Supervising Film Editor: Richard Currier
Editor: Ace Herman
Set Decorations: Raymond Boltz, Jr.
Musical Direction: Edward J. Kay
Recorder: Tom Lambert
Makeup: Harry Rose
Production Manager: William Callihan, Jr.
CAST:
Sidney Toler: Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland: Birmingham Brown
Victor Sen Young: Jimmy Chan
Tanis Chandler: Adelaide
Larry Blake: Rick Daniels
Kirk Alyn: [California Highway Patrol] Sergeant Reynolds
Rita Quigley: Clementine
Anne Nagel: Marcia
Helen Gerald: Ruby
Howard Negley: Cole King (also called "the Maestro")
Lois Austin: Mrs. [Irene] Thorn
Barbara Jean Wong: San Toy
Minerva Urical: Mrs. Weebles
Margaret Brayton: Madge Mudge
Bettie Best: Winifred
Jan Bryant: Lois
Walden Boyle: George "Doc" Brandt
Notes: Working titles for “The Trap” were “Murder in Malibu Beach” and “Charlie Chan in the Trap”. This is one of two Chan films in the series proper to have been filmed in large measure on location, the other being “The Black Camel” (1931). “The Trap” marked the final film appearance for Sidney Toler, who died on February 12, 1947. Roland Winters assumed the role of Charlie Chan in the 1947 film “The Chinese Ring”.
Where: Our Charlie Chan family Chat Room, located at charliechan.info.
When: Monday evening, October 12, beginning at 8:00 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: Good news! “The Trap” may be viewed online at DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x297kc7_charlie-chan-the-trap-1946-sidney-toler_shortfilms
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 “soon”!
Please have a safe, happy Monday, and let’s gather, as always, for another Monday of Chan, mystery, Chan, discussion, Chan, and…FUN…and Chan!
