Jeanskynebu
the audience applauded
VeteranLight
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Rainey Dawn
Really good Charlie Chan mystery - this one will not disappoint. I've read this is the earliest surviving Charlie Chan film.This one has plenty of comical moments to keep the viewer laughing and enough mystery to keep you involved in the interesting story.Kashimo, Chan's sidekick, is a blast to watch - very funny together. The two of them really make this film great - stand out. Kashimo is one of my favorite characters in this one.If you are a fan of the other Charlie Chan film or of Warner Oland then you should really get a kick out of this one. Fans of Robert Young, Bela Lugosi and Dwight Fry will enjoy this one as well.8/10
binapiraeus
Since "Charlie Chan Carries On" seems to be lost, for us today "The Black Camel" is the beginning of the magnificent, hugely popular and uniquely long-running film series about the gentle, polite, sometimes funny but also VERY clever Chinese detective, played by three different actors at two different studios. The first one, of course, was Warner Oland, who for many fans until today remains THE 'screen' Charlie Chan, utterly faithful to the character created by Earl Derr Biggers in 1923.And "The Black Camel", the first 'surviving' movie of the series, certainly is among the very best. It tells us a very intricate story about the murder of a famous actress, which seems somehow connected to the murder of another Hollywood actor a few years before; there's a mysterious 'fortune teller' in whom the actress used to confide all her secrets, and whom she'd summoned to Hawaii, where the film shooting takes place, especially to ask him whether or not she should marry a rich young playboy she'd fallen in love with; there's her ex-husband, who 'happens' to be in Honolulu as well; there's an impoverished painter who lives nearby and obviously knows too much - and so on...And Charlie Chan handles the case with the utmost delicacy, humble and courteous, and philosophical: 'Death is a black camel that kneels unbidden at every door', he cites one of his many old Asiatic sayings - hence the title... But when it comes to finding out who the murderer is, he becomes tough and unrelenting - seemingly...Charlie Chan is a REALLY special case in the history of crime movies: he was not only one of the few REALLY intelligent and capable cops (who used to be presented as plain flat-heads most of the time), but he was also the first Asian protagonist in Hollywood to be depicted in a VERY positive and sympathetic light (in contrast to the 'yellow danger' represented by 'Dr. Fu Manchu' and others at the time) - and until this day remains to us, no matter what color we are, the most amiable of all classic Hollywood police detectives! But back to "The Black Camel" seen purely as a movie, a murder mystery: the beautiful Hawaiian background is wonderfully photographed, in contrast to the very suspenseful nightly scenes, with menacing shadows masterfully used to send shivers up our spines. The cast is absolutely great - with none less than Bela Lugosi as guest star, playing the mysterious 'Tarneverro', and giving one of his best and most moving performances. In short, it's not just the 'beginning' of a wonderful and unforgettable movie series, but also an absolute masterpiece in itself.
jonfrum2000
I'm surprised to see so many people praising this film. If you're a Chan fan, of course you want to see it, but in this early entry in the series, the appeal had not quite been worked out. As noted by others, the asistant is a major annoyance. Sometimes the sons can be a bit over the top in later films, but this Japanese sidekick is played as a clown, without the familial excuse of the sons. It's almost as if one smart Asian was enough. As someone discussed in a spoiler, the working out of the mystery makes no sense - I realized it as I watched, and it puzzled me at the time. There is also a knife that comes out of nowhere. It was good to see Charlie in Honolulu and in charge - so often in later movies he's in another city, and humbly helping another police department. Here, he's the boss, and people do what he says - definitely more assertive.
Jay Harris
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.
