It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

CC at the Circus is an introduction of a slightly new direction in the series. Instead of the Chinese sleuth solving mysteries in a specific city or country (as in London, Paris, Shanghai, etc) he began to diversify into piquant locations: the circus, wax work museum's, race track's etc. The tourist locations were not dropped, of course, but the new angle managed to keep the series from becoming tired.This one is one of the best of the Chan films from 1931-36, with a locked room circus wagon murder giving us an enjoyable mystery, which unfortunately doesn't give the audience much chance to guess the killer's identity. How are we supposed to know the gorilla hair is from a dead animal? The casino angle in the tale is introduced pretty late, too.However it's the entertainment value that's important this time out, and this is splendid fare. In Warner Oland we trust! He's always great in the Chan movies, and he's ably supported by the delightful Keye Luke as his no.1 son, Lee. And unlike Mrs Columbo we actually get to see Charlie's family several times in the series. Utterly delightful. And interesting to see J. Carroll Naish in an early role.Well, bring on the next Chan....

I found all of these early Charlie Chan's on Youtube and have been watching them in order. I am a huge mystery fan who watches Sherlock Holmes, Murder She Wrote, Hercule Poirot, etc. This one has some very entertaining features.There is the authentic 1930s era circus to start with. A real trapeze artist Maxine Reiner plays the girl on the daring trapeze. Also there are the Brasnos, brother and sister midget team, who play Colonel Tim and Lady Tiny. They do a wonderful authentic Latin ballroom dance which we get to see all of. Scenes of the circus train are there with the elephants helping to push the wagons when they unload. All the tiny details are a wonderful history lesson.I know some find the actors portrayal racist but I tend to disagree. First of all he is clearly smarter than everyone else since he is the only one who solves the mystery in the end. I find it somewhat similar to Hercule Poirot....a Belgian detective played by a British actor on PBS. He has his little mannerisms also and faces much prejudice from people calling him a French frog and foreigner. Yet he triumphs over all solving the riddles using only his little gray cells.There is a scene in this film where the others want Charlie Chan's autograph and he signs it using what I assume to be Chinese symbols. Many times the characters break into the Chinese language. I think the writers honored his heritage in some of those small details.I watch movies to escape reality and be entertained. I like to just go along for the ride. All and all I have been delighted with Warner Oland's portrayal and can't wait to watch the rest of them.

Earl Derr Biggers' super sleuth Charlie Chan(Warner Oland)takes his wife and 12 offspring to the circus for some fun and relaxation. Director Harry Lachman lets Chan loosen up a bit and slips in some softness with the detective and his kids enjoyment of the circus. Then of course there is the amusing dealings with Charlie and his over-zealous Number-One-Son Lee(Keye Luke). The mystery starts when a disliked co-owner of the circus is murdered and there are multiple possible suspects...the other co-owner, a snake charmer, a wardrobe seamstress and even a gorilla, yes gorilla. My favorite scene is the Chan brood passing by the ticket taker. Other players featured: Francis Ford, John McGuire, Shia Jung, Paul Stanton, George Brasno, Maxine Reiner and J. Carrol Naish.

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS (1936)A good offering in the Fox series providing an interesting change of locale, with Charlie Chan enjoying a day at the circus with his rather extensive family, only to stay behind with son and partner Lee when some foul play erupts. A circus gorilla kills the owner, who happened to be a boss whom nobody liked. It's interesting to see substantial roles for George and Olive Brasno, who play the "little people" of the circus, who also were prominent in one of the old "Our Gang" shorts ("Shrimps For a Day"). Also welcome among the cast is J. Carrol Naish.*** out of four