FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

hwg1957-102-265704 Charlie Chan and number two son Jimmy come to Rio to arrest a murderer but she is murdered herself. Cue lots of suspects before the killer is detected by Chan and Chief Souto of the local police. Only an hour long but it is fine entertainment. It is mostly confined to one house but is never dull. Director Harry Lachman stands back and lets the narrative play out without any fuss.Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan puts in another fine performance, mischievous, sympathetic and dogged. Sen Yung gives possibly his best playing of Jimmy Chan, whether making premature deductions or mooning over the Hawaiian maid he is a delight. Harold Huber as Chief Soto tones down his usual excitable acting and is all the better for it.Another winner in the 20th Century Fox series of Chan films.

Lechuguilla The film gets off to a good start with some nice south-of-the-border music and atmosphere, set in a Rio nightclub. Here we meet the future murder-ee and most of the suspects. Eventually, the plot shifts to a spacious mansion, where a party for the murder-ee brings forth all the nightclub suspects plus a couple of others.The story gives us an interesting puzzle. Despite the large number of suspects, (approx. nine), I correctly guessed the identity of the killer, but for the wrong reason. Clues are rather subtle, which is good. To correctly guess both the murderer and the motivation, a viewer will need to employ his or her powers of inference. A cigarette, a cup of coffee, and the sharp pin of a lady's broach give Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) what he needs to solve the case. But the clues do not explain the killer's motivation.B&W visuals are quite good. But there are no menacing shadows, nor are there other elements that create spine-tingling suspense. Casting is acceptable, as is most of the acting. Prod design is more detailed here than in other Chan films.In addition to lack of suspense, another problem is the presence of some filler scenes involving number 2 son Jimmy Chan. I suppose he's included for comic relief. But he overacts. And I find him annoying.Jimmy Chan aside, "Charlie Chan In Rio" makes for a pleasant way to spend an hour, as the production values and story are pretty good.

vitaleralphlouis Almost all the Chan movies made by 20th Century-Fox starring Sidney Tolier were well-made films. Indeed, Fox made extremely few under-par movies in the 1930-1960 era. This one is the exception. The good news is that it's on a double DVD with Dead Men Tell, a much better Chan movie.Nothing effective is done to make anything or anyone in the movie look Brazilian or anything like Rio. Sets look very much like Los Angeles and everybody looks like main street Americans. There is one musical night club number using false-Latin music, just annoying. Also, no reason is hinted at as to why Honolulu based Chan and Number 2 Son are in Rio. Flying Pan Am to South America in 1941 cost an arm and a leg, not for casual travel by humble detectives.Unlike the great majority of Chan films, the mystery was clumsily tossed together and will interest only hard core murder fans. Just nothing clever for Chan to work on.So, OK, male viewers can gawk at the selection of female suspects; pretty boring bunch. But Hu Wong as Lilly certainly caught my eye. She made few films, but was better in Charlie Chan in Reno and Alan Ladd's China.The majority of viewers scored this one as 10. Even hard core fans ought not dishonor the great Chan by labeling this weak effort as Excellent.

Chris Gaskin I've just seen Charlie Chan in Rio for the first time and found it enjoyable like all of the Chan movies I've seen.In this one, Chan and his No 2 son are in Rio to arrest a murderer but she is then murdered herself, so he leads the investigation for this. After gathering clues including drugged cigarettes, the murderer is revealed...This includes a couple of rather catchy songs and No 2 son learning to dance.Charlie Chan is played well by Sidney Toler and is joined by Sen Young, Richard Derr and Victor Jory.If you like a gold old mystery, then you will like this. Excellent.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.