This entry in the Charlie Chan series features the talented investigator called to a mansion in the Californian Mojave Desert where other guests begin to fall victim to poison. After Sidney Toler obtained the film rights to the character from the widow of Earl Derr Biggers, he continued to make Chan films at Monogram Pictures. It would have made sense to me.) In total they made 28 Charlie Chan films - one pre-Warner Oland, 16 with Oland and 11 with Sidney Toler, but WWII was on and they lost interest in the series which earlier on had made them very nice profits. CASTLE IN THE DESERT:. Charlie Chan is on hand at said estate—but the urgent invitation he answered was apparently a fake. Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) is summoned to a mysterious castle in the Mojave Desert where a bizarre masked man (Douglas Dumbrille) lives with his wife, a descendant of the famous Borgia family. Charlie Chan in Castle in the Desert; Charlie Chan e o Castelo no Deserto (Brazil) Charlie Chan - Das Schloß in der Wüste (Germany) 1941 Ford De Luxe Station Wagon. This is Fox's last Charlie Chan film. Three that immediately come to mind are Charlie Chan at Treasure Island, Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum, and this film, Castle in the Desert. The mystery and the atmosphere of the setting are both well done, but the film loses points regarding realism -- some of the details are either neglected or don't hold up, and I didn't care for the spooky psychic woman. There are also several other guests at the castle. Author Message; Jale 2013-05-22 13:31. (By the way, why isn't the title Charlie Chan and the Castle in the Desert? Die Hausherren leben von einer Erbschaft, die bei einem Skandal verloren ginge. Castle in the Desert 1h 2min | Comedy , Crime , Mystery | 27 February 1942 (USA) Charlie Chan investigates apparent poisonings at a mystery mansion in the Mojave Desert. When a guest suddenly collapses, Charlie Chan is invited to stay. Paul Manderley, eccentric historian, and his wife, descendant of the Borgias, live in an isolated castle-like mansion in the Mojave Desert. Paul Manderley, eccentric historian, and his wife, descendant of the Borgias, live in an isolated castle-like mansion in the Mojave Desert. See all comments about this movie and its vehicles. When a guest suddenly collapses, Charlie Chan is invited to stay. Has Mr. Chan been summoned to witness a murder or provide an alibi? Charlie Chan investigates murder at a millionaire's medieval castle in the Mojave Desert. You must login to post comments... Advertising. When a guest suddenly collapses, Charlie Chan is invited to stay. Variety, February 4, 1942:, February 4, 1942: Castle in the Desert (1942) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. There are also several other guests at the castle. This was the last Charlie Chan movie produced by 20th Century Fox Studios, for America's entry into World War II in December 1941, shortly after this movie was filmed, made the studio cut back on film productions for the war effort.