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.

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Timeline – The Shanghai Cobra (1945)

Trace every key event in The Shanghai Cobra (1945) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Three venom killings trigger a fresh lead

Three bank employees are killed with cobra venom, and Detective Chan recalls a disturbingly similar case from ten years earlier in Shanghai. The method hints at a meticulous, unseen killer who can strike without direct contact. The case pulls Chan into a new investigation with high stakes.

Today Present-day city bank
2

Van Horn's burn and disappearance in Shanghai

In Shanghai in 1937, the criminal Jan Van Horn is badly burned during a Japanese bombing. After plastic surgery, he escapes custody and vanishes, leaving the world unsure of his current appearance. The city is left with a dangerous mystery surrounding his identity.

1937 Shanghai, 1937
3

Chan called in by Inspector Davis

Inspector Davis, in charge of the present-day case, contacts Chan, rekindling their old friendship. He reveals that the bank houses the central radium depository for much of the United States, deepening the stakes. The call ties the present crime to a larger, more dangerous conspiracy.

Present-day Present-day Shanghai bank
4

The bank vault and the underground network

The bank's vault is formidable, seemingly impregnable from the outside. Charlie discovers a labyrinth of underground tunnels and sewer pipes that run beneath the building, explaining how intruders and victims can be reached unseen. This revelation shifts the investigation underground.

Present-day Under the bank
5

Tunneling expedition yields a new body

Tommy Chan and Birmingham, often bending orders, spend a substantial time exploring the tunnels. They uncover a fourth body, confirming the killer is operating within the bank's hidden infrastructure. The discovery raises the stakes and intensifies the pursuit.

Present-day Bank underground
6

Larkin's undercover role comes to light

Detective Larkin, posing as the bank janitor, appears to have learned too much about the operation. His suspicious behavior foreshadows a broader conspiracy. The team realizes someone high up may be orchestrating events from the shadows.

Present-day Bank building basement
7

MO of the murders revealed

There was no actual snake; the victims died out of reach with no direct contact. Charlie identifies a thread: the first three victims all patronized the same inexpensive restaurant. A poisoned needle concealed in a jukebox coin return becomes the killer's silent weapon.

Present-day Inexpensive restaurant and bank building
8

Jukebox control room behind a bookcase

Chan locates the jukebox control room on the bank's second floor, hidden behind a bookcase in an office that houses a full chemical laboratory. The operator who runs the booth is arrested, but she swears she has never met her boss. The scene hints at a mastermind directing the crime from elsewhere.

Present-day Bank building, second floor
9

The unseen boss remains elusive

The booth operator is interrogated but asserts she has never seen her employer. Charlie concludes the real mastermind hides behind a veil of anonymity. The investigation pivots to identifying the chemical lab owner who orchestrates the scheme.

Present-day Bank building
10

Radium move rumor sparks a night strike

Chan plants a false rumor that the radium will be moved the next day, forcing the criminals to strike that very night. Security tightens as the bank braces for a heist targeting the radioactive assets. The rumor creates a critical window for law enforcement.

Night Bank vault area
11

Underground cave-in traps the team

A cave-in locks Chan, Tommy, and Birmingham in the tunnels, cutting off escape. Chan taps the underground phone lines and sends a Morse code signal to summon help. Police flood the tunnels, sealing the criminals' fate.

Night Underground tunnels beneath the bank
12

Revealing the true criminals

Once freed from the cave-in, Chan exposes two identities: Chief Bank Guard John Adams is revealed to be the escaped Van Horn, though he is ultimately innocent. The real mastermind is Mr. Jarvis, owner of the chemical laboratory, whose poison-needle lighter murdered Detective Larkin. The case is closed with the unraveling of layers of deception.

Present-day Bank chemical laboratory

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:36

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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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Shanghai Cobra

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Shanghai Cobra

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