Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Brainsbell The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

biorngm Review - The Wax Museum, released 9-6-40 A seven, on a one-to-ten scale, is as far as I go downward in value for a rating of any Charlie Chan movie, then the film reviewed presently is a definite seven; no consideration of improving either. Almost the entire movie is set at the subject wax museum, where Charlie Chan solves another case, without the help from really anybody, but using his own gift to analyze events, results and rely upon his own deductions. Son Jimmy is no help at any given time, but then what else is new. Reference to the automat brings one back to the days of the vending of meals from the small glass portals. Toothpicks were available at these automats for all diners. The wider toothpicks could be placed to the lips in such a way to cast something a few feet away, thus the mention of the usage to propel a poison dart. A wax museum filled with criminal figures and some law enforcement images worked to hide some of the guilty parties and suspects. There were secret panels, trap doors, cellar laboratories and a not too bright night watchman showing up in the activity surrounding the case. We are about midway through the Fox productions with this movie starring Sidney Toler. No comedic chauffer, but enough of the son that would not obey any order from his father. When your father asks you to do something, do it, instead of delaying the crime solving. The premise is for Charlie Chan to expose the same physician to the reputed surgeries he was performing to alter the faces of known murderers. These criminals could then continue their evil deeds while invisible to the law. Charlie suspects a certain Dr. Cream of altering the face of a recent killer and being responsible for other criminals' appearances. Further, the premise is to exonerate an innocent man, convicted and hanged. Charlie is determined to see justice prevail by putting the bad guys away for good and clearing the name of the innocent man, Joe Rocke, wrongfully sent to the gallows. The museum is a front for the laboratory where the crooked Dr. Cream has surgically changed the faces of two ruthless criminals wandering about the museum as a radio broadcast discussion between Charlie Chan and Dr. Otto von Brum is to take place.Dr. von Brum doesn't make it away from the broadcast, and the chase is on to find his killer. Unfortunately, von Brum wasn't the only killing that took place before the murderer was apprehended. Charlie follows his suspicions, tricking the killer, getting his confession in front of the group, namely the Homicide Inspector. A most peculiar manner is chosen to murder. A blow-dart used to kill had been an effective way of killing for the eventual perpetrator throughout his crime history. The method was effective and was known to Charlie as the modus operandi of the gangster. Catching the perpetrator by means of a pseudo-dart was genius by Chan. Mrs. Joe Rocke thanks Mr. Chan for clearing her husband's name, for which she is deeply grateful. Chan replies, justice is like virtue, brings its own reward.

Eric Stevenson This may be the highest ranked Charlie Chan film on this entire website. I feel bad for not being as captured by it as most people do. When you have a movie series with literally dozens of entries, it's easy to see them becoming episodic. It seems like less a movie and more like just a long episode of a TV show. In fact, "Columbo", another detective series actually did have episodes that were this long. That being said, this is still a good movie. I am starting to get more familiar with the characters, especially Charlie Chan's son, Jimmy.I really do like how they mixed up the formula a bit here. This wasn't really a simple murder mystery. It was interesting to see Charlie find new light shed on an old case. Was there another movie about that? There's so many characters that have distinct roles it's hard to keep up. There's just so much going on with which character was supposed to die, which one was manipulated, and how someone even died. It's not a mystery to the audience as much, but more to the characters. I still like this dynamic and would recommend this. Uh, sorry I couldn't keep up with the plot that well! ***

Hitchcoc A convicted murderer is sentenced to die. As they are taking him out, he easily escapes. He then goes to a wax museum where a doctor performs plastic surgery on criminals to change their faces. Each week a radio broadcast on famous crimes is done at the museum. Charlie is the guest detective one evening. Meanwhile, all sorts of intrigue is going on. To make matters worse, Jimmy Chan finds a way into the museum. One of the problems, however, is we have a hard time keeping up with all the mistaken identities. There are secret rooms, passageways, wax figures and real figures. You name it. When a person is murdered, it sets things off. Chan was the intended victim but another man changed places at a table. Lots of real fun. Oh, they have scenes where the lights go out and things are taken and people leave the room. I'm waiting for a Charlie Chan movie where they don't do that. Action is very quick here and it makes the whole thing a lot of laughs.

Chris Gaskin I've just seen Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum for the first time and found it rather good and creepy too.A murderer who Charlie Chan helped to convict is sentenced to death and then goes on the run, determined to get his revenge on Chan. He goes to the Wax Museum to see if he can have a new face to disguise himself. Chan turns up at the night of the radio play and strange things start happening with people being killed. Most of these killings turn out to be the responsibility of the murderer, who is arrested at the end.This movie is rather creepy in parts, especially in the Wax Museum complete with a thunderstorm.Chan is played well by Sidney Toler but I've not heard of anyone else in the cast.This is a must for all Chan fans. Excellent.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.