The Shanghai Cobra

The Shanghai Cobra

Year: 1945

Runtime: 64 mins

Language: English

Director: Phil Karlson

ThrillerMystery

In this thrilling Charlie Chan adventure, a daring plot to steal a cache of radium hidden in a bank vault unfolds. A series of killings linked by the unmistakable scent of cobra venom draws the famed detective into a dangerous investigation, as he pieces together clues to expose the mastermind behind the toxic theft.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Shanghai Cobra (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Shanghai Cobra (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1937

The events unfold in 1937 Shanghai amid ongoing conflict and bombings, creating a noir atmosphere of danger and urgency. The era brings technological intrigue—poison mechanisms, chemical labs, and concealed vaults—that drive the investigation. This period enhances themes of mistrust and rapid, covert action within a city under strain.

Location

Shanghai, China

Shanghai in 1937 is a bustling metropolis shadowed by wartime tension and political unrest. The story centers on a high-security bank vault for radium, connected to a complex network of tunnels beneath the city. The setting blends nightlife and commerce with clandestine operations, where clues travel between offices, control rooms, and the hidden underground.

🗺️ Urban hub 🏦 Bank district 🕳️ Underground tunnels

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:52

Main Characters – The Shanghai Cobra (1945)

Meet the key characters of The Shanghai Cobra (1945), 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 (Sidney Toler)

The mastermind detective who pieces the case together through sharp deduction, linking victims, the vault, and the underground network. He navigates disguises and hidden rooms, orchestrating the pursuit that leads to the criminals' arrest.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective 🧠 Strategist

Tommy Chan (Benson Fong)

Charlie Chan’s ally who prowls the tunnels and assists in the investigation, often pushing forward through danger despite orders. His resourcefulness helps uncover crucial connections and bodies.

🧭 Ally 🔎 Sidekick

Birmingham Brown (Mantan Moreland)

A loyal companion who braves the underground maze with Tommy, providing practical support and a steady presence as clues pile up.

🧰 Companion 🗺️ Tunnel Scout

John Adams (Addison Richards)

Bank guard who initially appears implicated but is ultimately revealed to be innocent, illustrating misdirection within the investigation.

🕵️‍♂️ Suspect 🗝️ Key Figure

H.R. Jarvis (James Flavin)

Owner of the chemical laboratory and the criminal mastermind behind the poisoning scheme, manipulating events to frame others and conceal his true role.

🧪 Scientist 🗝️ Mastermind

Jan Van Horn

Escaped criminal from Shanghai who was badly burned during bombing; the past case hints at a linked scheme that complicates the present investigation.

🗝️ Disguise 🕶️ Alias

Paula Webb (Joan Barclay)

Woman operating the jukebox control booth who is arrested; she has not met her boss, adding another layer of concealment to the crime network.

🎭 Control 🗝️ Access

Detective Larkin

An undercover detective posing as the bank’s janitor who uncovers too much, becoming a pawn in the pursuit and illustrating the risks of undercover work.

🕵️‍♂️ Undercover 🧰 Investigator

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:52

Major Themes – The Shanghai Cobra (1945)

Explore the central themes of The Shanghai Cobra (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Detective Chan threads together disparate murder incidents, tracing connections from victims to a secure bank and its subterranean corridors. The pursuit moves through control rooms, laboratories, and hidden passages, highlighting methodical deduction over impulse. The theme centers on solving a stacked set of mysteries through careful reasoning.

🎭 Disguise

The case hinges on shifting identities, with undercover roles and altered appearances driving misdirection. Jan Van Horn’s past and the masquerade around John Adams intensify suspense as truth slowly surfaces. Masks and misperceptions test the investigators’ ability to see through lies.

⚗️ Chemistry & Poison

A hidden chemical laboratory beneath the bank and a poison mechanism in a jukebox propel the murders. The radium vault and lab chemistry symbolize the dangerous intersection of science and crime. The plot scrutinizes how scientific know-how can be weaponized for lethal ends.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:52

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Methodical Detective Puzzles like in The Shanghai Cobra

Intellectual investigations where a master sleuth pieces together a complex crime.If you enjoyed the intellectual challenge of The Shanghai Cobra, you'll like these movies featuring methodical detective puzzles. Discover similar mystery stories where a sharp investigator follows clues and outsmarts criminals. These films offer a steady pace, tense atmosphere, and the satisfaction of a case cleverly solved.

puzzlingmethodicalsuspensefulintellectualproceduraltense

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a clear procedural structure, beginning with a crime and progressing through a series of clues and red herrings. The protagonist's journey is one of intellectual discovery, steadily closing in on the truth. The climax is typically a reveal scene where the detective explains the solution, providing a strong sense of closure and justice.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on intellectual problem-solving and a structured investigative process. They create a specific, satisfying experience for viewers who enjoy following a logical trail of clues and appreciate a protagonist who triumphs through wit rather than brute force.

Claustrophobic Crime Thrillers like The Shanghai Cobra

Tense stories where confined settings amplify danger and suspense.Fans of The Shanghai Cobra's tense, subterranean atmosphere will enjoy these claustrophobic crime thrillers. Explore movies with similar confined settings that amplify suspense and danger. If you liked the feeling of being trapped in a maze-like bank vault, these stories deliver that same intense, closed-in vibe.

claustrophobictensedangeroussuspensefulconfineduneasy

Narrative Summary

The plot often involves characters being physically or psychologically trapped within a specific location while a threat looms. The narrative tension builds steadily as the characters navigate the limited space, with the setting itself presenting obstacles and hiding dangers. The climax frequently involves a desperate attempt to escape the confines or confront the threat head-on.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their masterful use of setting to dictate mood and pacing. The shared feeling of confinement and restricted movement creates a unique, cohesive viewing experience defined by sustained tension and a focus on environmental pressure.

Unlock the Full Story of The Shanghai Cobra

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Shanghai Cobra in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Shanghai Cobra is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Shanghai Cobra Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Shanghai Cobra, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Shanghai Cobra Summary

The Shanghai Cobra Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Shanghai Cobra with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Shanghai Cobra Timeline

The Shanghai Cobra Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Shanghai Cobra that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Shanghai Cobra Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Shanghai Cobra

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Shanghai Cobra: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Shanghai Cobra