Its Asian stereotypes are offensive, but The Black Camel is beautifully shot (on location in Honolulu) and the costumes confirm my hunch that tailoring in the US peaked in 1931.
Charlie Chan is an aphorism-spouting Hawaiian detective who can't drive, has an enormous family and has enough cleverness to solve local mysteries. Those are all old saws but I had never heard of the stereotype of the Chinese kid that failed all his classes. It's all in pretty poor taste, especially Chan's sidekick Kashimo, who runs around shouting, "Crew! Crew!" (meaning, "Clue! Clue!"). Oh, yes. All ethnic claptrap aside, The Black Camel is beautiful to watch. It makes wonderful use of light and shadow, Hawaiian locations and everyone just looks gorgeous.
Dorothy Revier as Shelah Fane, naive Hollywood actress.
Dorothy Revier and Sally Eilers.
Geometric dress!
4 comments:
Hi, there. I noticed in one of your posts (from 2010, I'm reading everything, I love your blog) that you couldn't get TCM or any B-movies shipped to Canada. If you'd like, I know a way around that.
Love your blog! Was doing research for "Point Blank" and landed here. Looking forward to going through the archives.
Love your blog! Doing research on "Point Blank" and landed here. I'm looking forward to reading through the archive.
I really enjoy your blog because being from Africa, we are exposed to many Classic B Movies on our TV stations. Its gerat to have a platform such yours that is dedicated such movies.
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