Watch Phantom Of Chinatown

Phantom of Chinatown is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Keye Luke, Lotus Long, and Grant Withers. This movie was produced by Monogram Pictures, which was known for making low-budget films. The story revolves around detective James Lee Wong (Keye Luke) who investigates a murder case of his friend, Dr. John Benton (Milton Parsons). The victim was a renowned archaeologist, who had just returned from China with an ancient treasure. While Dr. Benton was going to reveal the secrets of the artifact, he was killed in his own laboratory in San Francisco's Chinatown. James Lee Wong, accompanied by his loyal assistant, Thomas Street (Grant Withers), is determined to solve the case and bring the killer to justice.

As Wong investigates the case, he encounters a range of suspects, including Madame Lilli (Virginia Carpenter), a mysterious nightclub owner, Victor Poten (Charles F. Miller), a disgruntled employee of Dr. Benton, and others. All these suspects have motives that could be linked to the murder. Wong also discovers a secret criminal organization, led by the Phantom, who is involved in both the murder and the theft of the ancient Chinese treasure.

During his investigation, Wong faces several life-threatening situations, including being chased on a rooftop and trapped in a burning basement. With the help of his assistant, Thomas Street, Wong tries to uncover the truth while also dealing with the challenges of prejudice and racism that he faces as a Chinese-American in 1940.

Phantom of Chinatown marks the fifth and final appearance of Keye Luke as James Lee Wong, a role he played in a total of six films. This movie is notable for being one of the few Hollywood films of the time that prominently featured an Asian-American lead character. Despite the low production value and the stereotypes presented in the film, it is still considered an example of early Hollywood's portrayal of Asian-American characters.

The film's visual style is typical of the low-budget films produced by Monogram Pictures during this era. The sets are simple, and the lighting is unremarkable. However, the acting in the film is quite good, with Keye Luke being a standout. The film's strengths lie in the dynamic relationship between Wong and Street, who offer a blend of humor and chemistry, and in the exciting action sequences.

To conclude, Phantom of Chinatown is an interesting film for anyone interested in early Hollywood's representation of Asian-American characters, and the genre of detective noir. While the film may feel dated by today's standards, it remains a compelling mystery with a memorable lead character.

Phantom Of Chinatown is a 1940 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 1 minute. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.