The Black Camel,made by the old FOX studios in 1931 is a cheaply made b-movie,typical of its time & period.
All b-movies were shown either as part of a double bill or with some acts of vaudeville.
This does not mean that it is a bad movie, It is enjoyable for what it is.
Charlie Chan is portrayed by Warner Oland, The later Chan's are not as good as Mr.Oland was.
In the cast is also Bela Lugosi ( whose next film was Dracula). Here in a non-menacing role he is quite good.
Also cast in his first performance in a sound film, He was in one silent movie as an extra) Marcus Welby himself, ROBERT YOUNG, he was 27 at the time but looked like a late teen.In this first role, you could see the promise of the fine actor he became.
The distaff side of the cast are featured actresses of the period & are OK.
The film was partly made in Hawaii,Most scenes were done in the old FOX lot at Sunset Blvd & Western Ave,
(Historical note: the opening credits has the 20 Th Century Fox Logo, but 20th was not founded till 1935 )
One other note (SPOILER ALERT) an actress is stabbed in the heart & no blood appears,even tho this is a pre_code film,, they could not show blood or wounds. NOTE in movies where someone is shot, you never see bullet holes in clothes. This was the way they made movies back then.
This movie is available as a rental from NETFLIX, watch it for curiosity sake,do not expect much. the film is fast & likable.
Ratimgs: **1/2 (out of 4) 69 points (out of 100) IMDb 6 (out of 10) ***
*** for a old b-movie this is a relatively high rating.
All b-movies were shown either as part of a double bill or with some acts of vaudeville.
This does not mean that it is a bad movie, It is enjoyable for what it is.
Charlie Chan is portrayed by Warner Oland, The later Chan's are not as good as Mr.Oland was.
In the cast is also Bela Lugosi ( whose next film was Dracula). Here in a non-menacing role he is quite good.
Also cast in his first performance in a sound film, He was in one silent movie as an extra) Marcus Welby himself, ROBERT YOUNG, he was 27 at the time but looked like a late teen.In this first role, you could see the promise of the fine actor he became.
The distaff side of the cast are featured actresses of the period & are OK.
The film was partly made in Hawaii,Most scenes were done in the old FOX lot at Sunset Blvd & Western Ave,
(Historical note: the opening credits has the 20 Th Century Fox Logo, but 20th was not founded till 1935 )
One other note (SPOILER ALERT) an actress is stabbed in the heart & no blood appears,even tho this is a pre_code film,, they could not show blood or wounds. NOTE in movies where someone is shot, you never see bullet holes in clothes. This was the way they made movies back then.
This movie is available as a rental from NETFLIX, watch it for curiosity sake,do not expect much. the film is fast & likable.
Ratimgs: **1/2 (out of 4) 69 points (out of 100) IMDb 6 (out of 10) ***
*** for a old b-movie this is a relatively high rating.