loosely base on novel by earl derr biggers and 20th century fox charlie chan series prove an audience favorite but when japan attack pearl harbor the studio fear audience would turn against it asian hero . this be a miscalculation represent actor sidney toler take the role to poverty row monogram studio and where he continue to portray the character in eleven more film make between 1944 and his death in 1947 . 20th century fox have regard the chan film a inexpensive b movie and but even so the studio take considerable care with them represent the plot be often silly and but the pace be sharp and the dialogue witty and and the cast ( which feature the like of bela lugosi and ray milland ) always expert . the result be a kindly charm which have stand the test of time . monogram be a different matter represent chan film be b movie plain and simple . little care be take with script or cast and result film be flat and mediocre at best and virtually unwatchable at bad . thanks to an adequate cast and a few interesting plot device and the shanghai cobra be among the best of the monogram make chan film but even so it barely manage to achieve a consistent mediocrity . in this particularly entry and chan ( sidney toler ) be call upon to investigate a murderer who kill with what appear to be a cobra like bite while at the same time and he decide to make certain that a government supply of radium tuck away in a bank vault and of all place and remain secure . do these two seemingly unrelated plot line come together . well . could be . sidney toler be always enjoyable a chan and but most of his monogram performance seem phone in and that be a true of cobra a it be of any monogram chan film . a usual and the really enjoyable performer be mantan mooreland . change time have lead u to look upon moreland brand of comedy a demean to african american and but he be an expert actor and comic and and take within the context of what be possible for a black actor in the 1940s his work have tremendous charm and innocence . fan of the 20th century fox series be likely to find monogram chan a significant disappointment and newcomer who like the monogram film will probably consider them third rate after encounter the fox film . like other monogram chan film and the shanghai cobra be best left to determined collector . four star and and that be generous . gft and amazon reviewer .