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The Black Camel (film)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Saratoga Sam (talk | contribs) at 01:33, 17 September 2023 (Undid revision 1175725223 by 2A02:C7E:323D:AA00:9050:64D:CA47:64BD (talk) Reverting well-intentioned edit because the editor has fallen prey to to the movie's plotline. The referenced quote cited by the editor was made by the brother-in-law of the as yet unrevealed killer of the actress in order to protect his sister-in-law.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Black Camel
Directed byHamilton MacFadden
Written byHugh Stanislaus Stange (adaptation)
Screenplay byBarry Conners
Philip Klein
Dudley Nichols (uncredited)
Based onThe Black Camel
by Earl Derr Biggers
Produced byHamilton MacFadden
StarringWarner Oland
Sally Eilers
Bela Lugosi
Dorothy Revier
CinematographyJoseph August
Daniel B. Clark
Edited byAlfred DeGaetano
Production
companies
Fox Film Corporation
Hamilton MacFadden
Distributed byFox Film Corporation
Release date
  • June 21, 1931 (1931-06-21)
Running time
67 or 71 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Warner Oland and Béla Lugosi

The Black Camel is a 1931 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Hamilton MacFadden and starring Warner Oland, Sally Eilers, Bela Lugosi, and Dorothy Revier. It is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Earl Derr Biggers.[1] It is the second film to star Oland as detective Charlie Chan, and the sole surviving title of the first five Chan films starring Oland. The Black Camel marked the film debut of Robert Young.

Plot

Movie star Shelah Fayne is making a picture on location in Honolulu, Hawaii. She summons mystic adviser Tarneverro from Hollywood to help her decide whether to marry wealthy Alan Jaynes, a man she has known for only a week. Her friend Julie O'Neil worries, however, that the famous psychic has too much influence over Fayne. Meanwhile, Julie has fallen in love herself with local publicity director Jimmy Bradshaw.

Honolulu Police Inspector Chan pretends to be a humble merchant, but Tarneverro sees through his impersonation. Chan mentions to him the yet unsolved murder of film star Denny Mayo, committed years before.

Then Jimmy finds Shelah's body; she has been murdered. Julie makes him remove Shelah's ring before calling for the police.

Chan investigates. He invites Tarneverro to assist him. Tarneverro reveals that Shelah told him she was in love with Denny and was responsible for his death, but kept quiet to protect her career.

The suspects are many, but after various startling revelations, Chan eventually identifies the killer and the connection to Danny Mayo's death.

Cast

Other

The film further reunited Lugosi with Dwight Frye (playing Jessop, the butler), who had appeared with him in Dracula in the same year. C. Henry Gordon, who had been in Warner Oland's first (lost) Chan film and would show up in three more Chan films with both Oland and the later Chan Sidney Toler, appears uncredited as Huntley Van Horn.[citation needed]

The small but crucial role of Anna the housekeeper was played by stage actress Violet Dunn, the wife of director Hamilton MacFadden.[2]

Production

Much of the picture was shot on location in Honolulu, with several scenes filmed at the renowned Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The opening beach scene was filmed at Kailua Beach.

References

  1. ^ "THE SCREEN". The New York Times. July 4, 1931.
  2. ^ "Robert Young Loaned". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. March 26, 1931. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.

Bibliography

  • Hanke, Ken, Charlie Chan at the Movies: History, Filmography, and Criticism, McFarland & Company Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, 1989, ISBN 0-89950-427-2.
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