Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938)

In the bustling heartbeat of Honolulu, the world-renowned detective Charlie Chan finds himself preoccupied by the joyous anticipation of his first grandchild's birth. His household buzzes with excitement, creating the perfect diversion for his ambitious sons. Young Tommy, with mischief in his eyes and adventure in his heart, manipulates his elder brother Jimmy, an aspiring detective, to step into their father's shoes when an urgent call for a murder investigation aboard the freighter Susan B. Jennings comes in. Unbeknownst to them, Jimmy, mistaken for his father, steps into a labyrinth of intrigue on the ship, shadowed by the eager Tommy. They navigate through a swirling vortex of suspects, each more eccentric than the last. Amongst them, a doctor with a morbid fascination for brains, a police detective with a suspicious interest in Chan's case, and a jittery man joined by his pet lion. As the plot thickens, $300,000 vanishes, a second passenger falls victim to murder, and pressure mounts from the freighter's Captain, who is desperate to set sail again to avoid financial ruin. When Charlie Chan finally unravels the boys' well-intended deception, he rushes to the harbor, ready to untangle the thread of chaos spun aboard the ship. The detective, armed with his wit and experience, begins his investigation amongst the wild animals in the cargo hold and a sea of human uncertainty, determined to restore order and crack the case. Immersed in a whirlpool of mystery, Charlie Chan in Honolulu is a thrilling journey that blends family, ambition, and the pursuit of truth amidst a backdrop of murder and suspense.

Charlie Chan in Honolulu is a comedy movie featuring Ruth Clifford and directed by H. Bruce Humberstone.

Charlie Chan in Honolulu is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.