Charlie Chan in Panama is also a remake, but not of a Chan picture this time or even a Biggers book, but of Marie Galante (1934), a Jacques Deval novel, screen-played by Reginald Berkeley.
While he cannot compete with Spencer Tracy, Toler handles his secret serviceman with customary stoicism, while the lovely Jean Rogers (her Kathi Lenesch somewhat uneasily combines two roles) certainly gives Ketti Gallian and Helen Morgan a run for their money.
Sen Yung, of course, has the Ned Sparks knockabout part, while Frank Puglia steps very, very neatly into Leslie Fenton's shoes.
While it cannot be compared budget-wise, this entry certainly has its share of excitements. Admittedly, director Norman Foster is nowhere in the same class as Henry King, but he keeps his film moving along with both pace and style. The action spots are handled with finesse and even Chris-Pin Martin's labored comedy relief comes over as reasonably amusing. In fact, viewers who have not seen the Tracy version will have little to complain about.
While he cannot compete with Spencer Tracy, Toler handles his secret serviceman with customary stoicism, while the lovely Jean Rogers (her Kathi Lenesch somewhat uneasily combines two roles) certainly gives Ketti Gallian and Helen Morgan a run for their money.
Sen Yung, of course, has the Ned Sparks knockabout part, while Frank Puglia steps very, very neatly into Leslie Fenton's shoes.
While it cannot be compared budget-wise, this entry certainly has its share of excitements. Admittedly, director Norman Foster is nowhere in the same class as Henry King, but he keeps his film moving along with both pace and style. The action spots are handled with finesse and even Chris-Pin Martin's labored comedy relief comes over as reasonably amusing. In fact, viewers who have not seen the Tracy version will have little to complain about.