Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
While steaming from Honolulu to Los Angeles the owner of a prize racehorse headed for the "Santa Juanita" Handicap is killed, apparently kicked to death by his stallion. Not so, deduces Charlie. Later he exposes efforts to fix a race at the famous track.
Mister Arn reviewedOctober 4, 2025
Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936) is a part of the 1930s Hollywood B-picture Charlie Chan franchise. Warner Oland, a Swedish actor playing an Asian character, anchors the film with a quietly commanding performance. The plot is formulaic, as Chan investigates a murder and a race-fixing scheme following a suspicious death in the world of horse racing. Its charm comes from performance chemistry and craft rather than surprise or spectacle. Through today’s lens, the casting and racial stereotypes are jarring. By the standards of 1930s Hollywood, it was one of the more respectful and human portrayals of an Asian character.