In the two years since the last Charlie Chan feature film (Castle in the Desert), Charlie Chan is now an agent of the U.S. government working in Washington DC and he is assigned to investigate the murder of the inventor of a highly advanced torpedo. Aiding Chan is his overeager but dull-witted Number Three son Tommy (Benson Fong) and his Number Two Daughter Iris Chan (Marianne Quon). Also involved in the case is the bumbling and easily frightened Birmingham Brown (Mantan Moreland) who works as a limo driver for one of the suspects.
Gene Roth as Luis Philipe Vega aka Von Vegon (as Gene Stutenroth)
Eddy Chandler as Lewis, Secret Service (as Eddie Chandler)
Lelah Tyler as Mrs. Williams
Production
20th Century Fox stopped making Charlie Chan films in 1941. In May 1943 Monogram Pictures announced they had purchased the rights to the character from Fox and would make two Charlie Chan films a year. Sidney Toler would reprise his performance as Chan.[2]Keye Luke was reportedly unable to reprise his role as Number One Son, so a search started for an actor to portray Chan's son.[3][4]
In June 1943 Monogram Pictures announced Charlie Chan and the Secret Service would be one of 24 movies and 16 Westerns the studio would make over the following year. This was eight less than the previous year as Monogram said they wanted to make "fewer and higher budgeted pictures".[5]
The film was to star Sidney Toler and also include Iris Wong from the Fox movies. In July 1943 Benson Fong was signed to play Chan's son.[6] Wong eventually was replaced by Marianne Quon.
^DRAMA AND FILM: 'Sons o' Fun' Comedian Recruited for 'Rookie' De Mille Selects Dave Willock for Sailor Role Opposite Barbara Britton
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 25 May 1943: 13.
^BY WAY OF REPORT
By THOMAS M. PRYOR. New York Times 30 May 1943: X3.
^DRAMA AND FILM: Newcomer Ella Raines Lead in 'Phantom Lady' 20th Will Film Unusual Subject, 'Sunday Dinner for a Soldier'
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 10 Sep 1943: 15.
