Charlie Chan at the Olympics

Charlie Chan at the Olympics

Year: 1937

Runtime: 71 mins

Language: English

Director: H. Bruce Humberstone

ThrillerMysteryCrime

Murderous spies infiltrate the Berlin Olympic Games, turning the international competition into a deadly arena. Charlie Chan is called in to unravel a gold‑medal murder plot, confronting a network of espionage agents who use the games as a perfect cover for cold‑blooded killings. The story is billed as a tense, thrilling mystery.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1936

Set in the mid-1930s, the film centers on the lead-up to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The era features transatlantic travel, political undercurrents, and rapid technological advances like radio control that fuel the tension. The time period anchors a suspenseful race against villains during a pivotal international event.

Location

Honolulu, SS Manhattan, Berlin

The story begins in Honolulu before moving across the Pacific aboard the SS Manhattan, setting a globe-trotting tone. The action shifts to Berlin for the 1936 Olympics, with international movement and intrigue driving the plot. The various locations—on the ocean, aboard ships, and in a European capital—frame a high-stakes mystery across borders.

🏝️ Honolulu 🚢 Ocean voyage 🗼 Berlin

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:01

Main Characters – Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937)

Meet the key characters of Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Charlie Chan (Warner Oland)

The seasoned, observant detective who methodically unravels the conspiracy. Chan combines wit, patience, and practical cunning to outmaneuver dangerous adversaries. He remains a protective patriarch to his sons, guiding them toward justice with calm authority.

🧠 Intelligent 🕵️ Detective 🧭 Strategic

Lee Chan (Keye Luke)

Lee is a bright, athletic young investigator whose curiosity and bravery complement his father's method. He navigates dangerous situations with courage and quick thinking, helping to uncover crucial clues. His partnership with his father strengthens the pursuit of the truth.

🏊️ Athlete 🧭 Curious 🗡️ Loyal

Yvonne Roland (Katherine DeMille)

A glamorous passenger who becomes a focal point of suspicion. She uses charm and calculated moves to maneuver through shipboard and Berlin intrigues, keeping her true motives obscured until the twist reveals her role. Her dual demeanor drives the plot’s tension.

🕊️ Mysterious 💃 Femme Fatale

Arthur Hughes (C. Henry Gordon)

Hughes is a calculating arms dealer whose schemes escalate the stakes for Chan and colleagues. He manipulates others to reach his goals and avoids direct exposure until the climax. His greed and ruthless strategy mark him as a dangerous antagonist.

💰 Rich 🗡️ Dangerous

Hopkins (Jonathan Hale)

Hopkins is the inventor's associate and a central suspect who navigates corporate and political pressures. He becomes entwined in the plot as his connections to the stolen device come to light. His role blends authority with opportunistic self-interest.

🧭 Powerful 🕵️‍♂️ Suspicious

Mr. Cartwright (John Eldredge)

Cartwright is the inventor of the radio device at the heart of the mystery. His credibility and loyalties are tested as the theft is uncovered, and he acts as a catalyst for the confrontation that resolves the conspiracy. He embodies the tension between scientific progress and its exploitation.

🧪 Inventor 🧭 Secretive

Honorable Charles Zaraka (Morgan Wallace)

Zaraka is a diplomat whose ambitions intersect with the fate of the invention and the Olympic entourage. He exudes poise but reveals a willingness to leverage power to achieve his aims. His presence amplifies the film's international stakes.

🕴️ Diplomat 🧭 Cunning

Richard Masters (Allan Lane)

Masters is an Olympian competitor who becomes embroiled in the intrigue due to the missing device and shifting loyalties. His role adds personal motive to the chase and a rival dynamic that intensifies the pursuit. He seeks a fair chance at the games amid the chaos.

🏅 Competitor 🧭 Suspicious

Betty Adams (Pauline Moore)

Betty is Masters' girlfriend who offers support and insight to Chan and Lee. Her involvement reflects the collaborative spirit of athletes and investigators, contributing to the unraveling of the timeline and aiding in resolving the case.

🎗️ Supportive 🕵️‍♀️ Resourceful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:01

Major Themes – Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937)

Explore the central themes of Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage Intrigue

A concealed stowaway, a stolen device, and a web of suspects propel the investigation. Charlie Chan and his allies navigate misdirection as arms dealing and political maneuvering complicate the case. The plot hinges on uncovering who can be trusted among a cast of international figures.

🏊️ Olympic Spirit

Lee Chan's status as an Olympic swimmer frames the narrative with sport as a backdrop for courage and discipline. The story builds to a climactic victory in the 100-meter dash, underscoring personal achievement amid danger. The competition mirrors the competition to outwit the conspirators.

👨‍👦 Family Bond

Charlie Chan balances his detective work with a strong devotion to his sons, guiding them through danger with calm authority. The dynamic between Chan and Lee highlights trust and shared dedication to justice. This familial thread provides warmth amid the thriller's tension.

🏛️ Diplomatic Intrigue

Diplomatic influence surrounds the Honorable Charles Zaraka and his circle, intertwining with the fate of the device and the Olympic team. Investigators navigate political power plays as alliances and betrayals come to light. The motive often ties to national prestige and stockholder interests.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:01

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Charlie Chan at the Olympics Summary

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Charlie Chan at the Olympics Summary

Charlie Chan at the Olympics Timeline

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Charlie Chan at the Olympics Timeline

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