A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The first must-see film of the year.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Where else could you see Hop Sing (Sen Yung) get decked (well...almost) by Superman (George Reeves)? A flying fish you say SuperDude?, 'Confuses' say "Club in hand don't look like no flying fish"Yes, number 3 son Jimmy Chan is on board a spooky ship scheduled to sail off on an adventure trip in search of treasure. Well...he's on board some of the time, but he's mainly in the water is this above average entry in the 'Charlie Chan' series. But 'Pop' Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) is there to bail him out once again.Chan has to deal with the ghost of a peg-legged pirate, a small, but mysterious group of passengers, and the ship's brooding Captain. Never fear, Chan is here.The movie has a nice 'feel' to it, with plenty of atmosphere...salty, dark, and mysterious. The story itself is pretty much what you'd expect from this type of movie, but it's good enough to carry you along for the cruise. Fun little mystery.

A "treasure hunt cruise" is all lined up—but the ship never leaves the dock in this mystery featuring a pirate ghost, a treasure map, a couple of murders, and the usual lineup of suspicious characters. Jimmy Chan helps get the action started by sneaking aboard the darkened ship to investigate, his imagination fired by news about the expedition to retrieve $60 million of hidden treasure. Pop Charlie Chan comes looking for Jimmy, intending to take him home—which is how both Chans happen to be on the ship when the first murder occurs.Sidney Toler is fine as always as the elder Chan; Sen Yung has a larger role than usual as Jimmy, and gives an energetic—practically manic—performance as the would-be detective whose curiosity is matched only by his enthusiasm. Toler and Yung, by now veterans of several films in these roles, complement each other perfectly. The plot concerns an alleged treasure map, divided into four pieces and distributed among the would-be passengers. When the map's owner (and tour sponsor) is murdered and her map portion disappears, it becomes apparent that someone else on board is out to grab all four sections. Not surprisingly, practically all of the passengers and crew seem to harbor secrets of one kind or another….The entire film is set inside the ship, outside in the harbor, or in a neighboring waterfront bar…and it all takes place at night. Nicely designed sets and good shadowy photography create an atmosphere that is sinister and just slightly spooky. Jimmy Chan can't seem to keep out of the water in this one….And my favorite line from the picture is the elder Chan's response to Jimmy's apology for falling in yet again: "Please. Save alibi for autobiography."

A tidy mystery involving the ghost of a hanged buccaneer, a talking parrot, a treasure map quartered and a stowaway. A wealthy elderly Patience Nodbury(Ethel Griffles)stages a treasure hunt inviting several of her friends to partake. When the hostess is found dead in her stateroom, it is believed she has been frightened to death by a visit from one of her ancestors...the ghost of a fabled pirate. Or is it really a murder? The revered detective Charlie Chan(Sidney Tolar) happens to be on board ship looking for his #2 son Jimmy(Victor Sen Yung), a would be stowaway. In spite of the treasure map being torn in four parts, with three given to guests; someone on the ship wants the elderly woman dead. Not a whole lot of action; as far as that goes not a lot of acting either. Very little lighting in order to set the atmosphere. Should not be listed as one of the most favorite Chan flicks. Other players: Sheila Ryan, Truman Bradley, Paul McGarth, Kay Aldridge and George Reeves(of TV Superman fame).

This is a rather strange film, as the plot is amazingly unusual. While this doesn't mean the plot is great, at least it deserves kudos for being different! The film begins with Charlie coming to the docks to look for his incredibly stupid son, Tommy. In the process, however, naturally he stumbles into a murder--something he does practically all the time!! This time, however, the setting on board an old fashion sailing ship (circa 1800) and the story of a vengeful pirate ghost and a treasure map make this a weird tale indeed! As I said, it isn't a great plot--mostly because it was so contrived and tough to believe. However, it still managed to be fun.The star of this film wasn't actually the actors but the set design and cinematography. The director had quite an artistic eye and it has to be the prettiest and best filmed Chan movie of all time. With fascinating angles, a Film Noir-like look and a creepy locale, this is a breathtaking film for film students. Just because the Chan films were relatively low budget, this time there was just a little something extra.About the only negative, and it's a minor one, is the running gag of having Tommy fall into the harbor. Once or twice is funny--four times is simply too much.Overall, a pretty but average Twentieth-Century Fox Charlie Chan film.