Michael O'Keefe While on a flight to the 1939 World's Exposition on San Francisco's Treasure Island, Honolulu detective Charlie Chan is puzzled by the apparent suicide of a writer, who is trying to expose physic fraud. Chan and Number Two Son Jimmy(Victor Sen Yung)are not in agreement with the ruling of suicide and set out to prove that a mystic named Zodiac is responsible for several murders via suicide. A magician , The Great Rhandini(Cesar Romero), offers help in the investigation. But just how much of his help is useful? This may be one of the best in the Chan mystery franchise. The pace is brisk and held together with light-hearted humor and the usual who-done-it trappings. A very interesting story that you don't really know the ending ahead of time. The supporting cast includes: Douglas Fowley, Pauline Moore, Douglass Dumbrille, Donald MacBride and Gerald Mohr.

MartinHafer This movie is the third Charlie Chan film to star Sidney Toler and is definitely the best of this new actor's Chan movies. That's because even though this film is a bit silly (with all of its psychic mumbo-jumbo), the film is much more interesting and different than the last two films. It helped that the film had support from Cesar Romero as well as the unusual motivations behind a string of suicides.The film is called CHARLIE CHAN AT TREASURE ISLAND because it was set on this brand new island created for the San Francisco Golden Gate Exhibition--a world's fair that was held at the same time as the one in New York. While you see a bit of the exposition in the film, it's really not at all prominent in the movie and film really could have been set anywhere.The plot involves several suicides and Chan's investigation into the connection this has to a psychic. My only complaint about all this is that one person in the film actually did have amazing psychic powers--something that seemed pretty silly to me. However, who the evil psychic was, how he manipulated people to kill themselves and why was all very impressive. Plus, the magic show sequence towards the end of the film was a welcome change from the usual drawing rooms of Chan films. Very entertaining and fun--just what the series needed.

random_ax The infamous Zodiac Killer might have been inspired by this film. The most probable suspect, who has since passed away, used to love this movie and became obsessed with it. If you watch the film and then read about the Zodiac case, you'll see eerie patterns in the writings of the Zodiac Killer and the character of Dr Zodiac in the film. I can easily see how a young kid could be influenced by the creepy Dr Zodiac and the way he taunted authorities..just like the Zodiac Killer would do decades later with similar phrases. Anyway, the film is easily one of the best in the series and still manages to entertain and frighten a bit. I urge you to view this one!

Jim Tritten Fast-paced Sidney Toler who-done-it set at and around the Century of Progress Exhibition in San Francisco harbor. The exhibition was the West Coast's parallel to the 1939 New York World's Fair and the man-made Treasure Island existed and some of its building survived as parts of a naval station for many years. A new writer and producer contributed to the successful direction of Norman Foster who also excelled in his previous Chan effort. The use of close-ups and lighting contribute to the success of this film: Charlie Chan at Treasure Island is simply the best of the Sidney Toler Chan films and runs neck and neck with Charlie Chan at the Opera done by Warner Oland.The author of 'The Secret of the Pigmy Arrow' dies aboard an eastbound 4-engine flying boat China Clipper and the manuscript disappears as the passengers and crew disembark. 'Suicide induced by blackmail is murder.' The story line is believable and aided by Cesar Romero whose role as Fred Rhandini is reminiscent of a modern James Randi, exposing fraudulent faith healers and spiritualists. Pauline Moore returns for her third Chan film and is believable as a psychic who cannot resist the stronger mind of Dr. Zodiac.Clues and suspicious characters abound. It is possible to figure out the mystery along with Chan who shares most of what he uncovers with the viewer. 'Obvious clues like tricks in magic – usually prove deceptive.' Comic relief is provided by Victor Sen Yung as No. 2 son, Jimmy, to include a hilarious scene wearing a magician's coat. Only one racial slur directed his way 'A chip off the old chopstick.' Other supporting cast members are excellent in their roles.Highly recommended.