Thanks for asking. The film that you are thinking of is not a Charlie Chan film. It is ... (drum roll please), "Topper Returns" (1941 Hal Roach Productions).
During this film, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson sits in a mysterious chair. On a certain clue, the chair drops its victims into a long-fall ramp into a pool of water.
Thank you very much. I have tried to find the name of that film for some time. I was probably 12 or so when I saw it (and that was quite some time ago now). Now that my kids are old enough to appreciate these classics, and share my love for suspense films I can add this to my collection. Thanks again!!!
