Charlie Chan in Black Magic is a 1944 mystery film directed by Phil Rosen. It is the seventh installment in the Charlie Chan film series and features Sidney Toler as the famous detective Charlie Chan. The film revolves around the murder of a prominent scientist and the presence of black magic in the investigation. The story takes place in Panama during World War II, where a group of scientists is working on top-secret research. One of the scientists, Dr. Melton, is found dead under mysterious circumstances.
But, before we condemn Oland's "Yellowface" incarnation of Charlie Chan, consider this next curious bit of film history: In 1933, Oland made a trip to Shanghai, where he was celebrated by movie audiences there for bringing to life the first positive Chinese character in American film. (After all, compared with the venal Dr. Fu Manchu, whom Oland had also played in the movies, Chan was a hero.) The nascent Chinese film industry then got busy making a series of homegrown Charlie Chan movies. According to contemporary accounts, the Chinese actor who played Chan scrupulously copied the white Oland's Chinese screen mannerisms and speech. Cultural cross-pollination at work at its most endearing -- or dismaying.
As Huang chronicles, though, Apana s famous bullwhip was useless against the anti-Asian racism that prevailed within the police force and society of his time. The actor who played Charlie Chan in that and 40 other films was Warner Oland; like Sidney Toler, the actor who succeeded him in the role, Oland was Caucasian -- Swedish, in fact.
Melton, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. The local police investigate the murder but are unable to solve the case. This is when Charlie Chan, a renowned detective, is called in to help with the investigation.
Black Magic [Charlie Chan in Black Magic] * (1944, Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Frances Chan, Jacqueline de Wit, Claudia Dell) – Classic Movie Review 9054
Director Phil Rosen’s 1944 thriller Black Magic [Charlie Chan in Black Magic] [Meeting at Midnight] is a weak Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) mystery about the Oriental Detective probing a séance killing.
Toler carries on regardless, and Frances Chan has much to do as Charlie’s daughter Frances, but Mantan Moreland is back as Charlie’s regular driver Birmingham Brown and overacts dreadfully, sabotaging any realism. Interestingly, this is the only film in which a daughter (Frances) plays Charlie’s assistant role usually given to Chan’s sons Lee, Jimmy or Tommy.
Birmingham gets a job as butler to William and Justine Bonner (Dick Gordon, Jacqueline deWit), psychics who conduct occult events at their house. Frances becomes a murder suspect when she attends a séance and Mr Bonner is shot.
Also in the cast are Jacqueline deWit, Claudia Dell, Edward Earle, Ralph Peters, Joseph Crehan as Police Sgt. Matthews, Helen Beverley, Geraldine Wall, Dick Gordon, Harry Depp, Charles Jordan and Frank Jaquet.
Black Magic [Charlie Chan in Black Magic] [Meeting at Midnight] is directed by Phil Rosen, runs 67 minutes, is made by Monogram Pictures, is released by Monogram Pictures (1944) (US) and Associated British Film Distributors (1944) (UK), is written by George Callahan (original screenplay), is shot in black and white by Arthur Martinelli is produced by James S Burkett and Philip N Krasne, and is scored by Alexander Laszlo, with Art Direction by Dave Milton.
The 33rd of 47 Charlie Chan movies, it follows Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (1944) and is followed by The Jade Mask (1945).
It was retitled Meeting at Midnight five years after its original release to avoid confusion with Black Magic (1949).
Frances Chan plays a character with her same real name. She played Charlie Chan’s youngest daughter in Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case (1933), possibly the same character. Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case is believed to be a lost film.
© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9054
Checker`s recording of ''The Twist'' was first released in August, 1960, made the charts then faded away. It was re-released in late 1961 and again went to the top. By 1964, when the British took over the rock scene, Checker and the Twist were gone. Actually, according to the Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul, Checker didn`t originate the Twist. It was Hank Ballard, who wrote the song.
Chan quickly takes charge of the investigation and begins to suspect that the murder is linked to black magic. He believes that the murderer is using black magic to cover their tracks and create confusion. As Chan delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of intrigue and secrets involving the other scientists, a secret underground hideout, and a pair of missing valuable diamonds. Throughout the film, Chan uses his wit, intelligence, and knowledge of human nature to solve the case. He employs his famous saying, "Mind like parachute, only function when open," to encourage himself and his team to keep an open mind and consider all possibilities. Chan also relies on his intuition and understanding of the human psyche to piece together the clues and unravel the mystery. The film not only showcases Chan's detective skills but also highlights his cultural background as a Chinese-American. It touches upon themes of racism and prejudice, as Chan faces discrimination from both the local police and the suspects he interrogates. However, Chan's polite and respectful demeanor combined with his sharp mind prove that he is a formidable detective. Charlie Chan in Black Magic is an engaging mystery film that combines elements of crime, suspense, and the supernatural. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as they try to solve the murder alongside Chan. With its clever plot twists and engaging characters, the film continues to captivate audiences and remains a classic in the detective genre..
Reviews for "Investigating the Occult: Charlie Chan Takes on Black Magic"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I found "Charlie Chan Black Magic Cast" to be a disappointing and underwhelming experience. The storyline was convoluted and lacked coherence. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions often seemed illogical. The acting was subpar and didn't help to redeem the poorly written script. Overall, the movie failed to engage me and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Charlie Chan Black Magic Cast," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The film had potential with its intriguing premise, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The special effects also appeared cheap and unrealistic. Additionally, the dialogue was weak and didn't effectively convey the story or build depth in the characters. Overall, I was disappointed by this film.
3. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Charlie Chan Black Magic Cast" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was confusing and seemed to jump all over the place. It was impossible to connect with the characters, as they lacked depth and were poorly developed. The cinematography was lackluster, and the editing felt disjointed, making it difficult to follow the narrative. I regret watching this film and would not recommend it to anyone.
4. Amanda - 2/5 stars - "Charlie Chan Black Magic Cast" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The story had an interesting premise, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, with certain scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The performances were lackluster, with some actors delivering wooden dialogue. The ending was also unsatisfying and left many loose ends. Overall, I was disappointed with this film and didn't feel it lived up to its promises.