Dark Alibi (1946) | Directed by Phil Karlson

In this installment of the popular Charlie Chan series, "Dark Alibi" follows the brilliant detective as he investigates a robbery and murder case where an innocent man, Thomas Harley, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. Believing Harley to be innocent, Chan races against time to uncover the truth, delving into the world of crime, secrets, and deception. As he pieces together clues, Chan discovers a twist involving an unusual alibi and the possibility of identity theft.

Genre: Mystery / Crime

Director: Phil Karlson

Director Bio: Phil Karlson was an American film director best known for his work on gritty crime dramas and film noir. Beginning his career in the B-movie circuit, Karlson developed a reputation for infusing suspenseful and character-driven stories into his films, often working with limited budgets. His work on "Dark Alibi" demonstrated his skill in crafting tense, engaging mysteries, and he later went on to direct well-known films like "Kansas City Confidential" and "The Phenix City Story."

Star Cast:
- Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan
- Mantan Moreland as Birmingham Brown
- Benson Fong as Tommy Chan
- Teala Loring as June Harley
- George Holmes as Hugh Kensey

Public Reaction: "Dark Alibi" was well-received by audiences who enjoyed the classic Charlie Chan mystery formula. Sidney Toler’s performance as the clever detective was praised, as was Mantan Moreland’s comedic timing, which provided relief in the otherwise tense storyline. The film has since become a beloved entry in the Charlie Chan series, especially among fans of classic mystery cinema.

Fun Fact: "Dark Alibi" was one of the last films Sidney Toler made as Charlie Chan before his death in 1947. His portrayal of Chan became iconic, and his films contributed significantly to the popularity of the character in American cinema. The film was also notable for using fingerprint analysis as a major plot point, a relatively novel concept in 1940s mystery films, reflecting the growing interest in forensic science at the time.