The Black Camel (1931)

Warner Oland: Inspector Charlie Chan

Photos 

Quotes 

• Wilkie Ballou : Your theory's full of holes. It won't hold water!

  Charlie Chan : Sponge is full of holes. Sponge holds water.

• Charlie Chan : [about his assistant Kashimo]  Can cut off monkey's tail, but he's still monkey.

• Charlie Chan : [solemnly]  There is old saying, 'Death is a black camel that kneels unbidden at every gate.' Tonight black camel knelt here.

• [after the murder has been solved] 

  Kashimo : Clue, clue!

  Charlie Chan : Too late- Save for *next* case!

• Alan Jaynes : [angrily]  Look here, Inspector, I haven't time to sit around for Chinese picture puzzles! My ship sails at midnight!

  Charlie Chan : You are rejected suitor.

  Alan Jaynes : But I've given you an airtight alibi.

  Charlie Chan : Sorry, but alibi have habit of disappearing like hole in water.

• Charlie Chan : Secret of this case harder to determine than alley cat's grandfather.

• Charlie Chan : Way to find rabbit's residence is to turn rabbit loose and watch.

• Charlie Chan : Alas, mouse cannot cast shadow like elephant.

• Charlie Chan : Kashimo, I despair trying to make you smart man. Soap and water never can change perfume of billy goat.

  Kashimo : [smiling]  Yes!

• Charlie Chan : Learn from hen- Never boast about egg until *after* egg's birthday.

• Charlie Chan : [after finding a desperate letter from the murdered woman]  Always happens- When conscience tries to speak, telephone out of order.

• Charlie Chan : A thousand pardons. Assault and battery not permitted without license from boxing commission.

• Charlie Chan : Always harder to keep murder secret than for egg to bounce on sidewalk.

• Kashimo : Think we make mistake?

  Charlie Chan : Who can say? Even wisest man sometimes mistake bumblebee for blackberry.

• Charlie Chan : [in car being driven by Chan]  May I ask your, uh, continued assistance? Sometimes very difficult to pick up pumpkin with one finger.

  Tarneverro : [reacting to Chan's poor driving]  Have you been driving long?

  Charlie Chan : No. At first I'm pretty bad driver. But now me and road turn corner same time.

• Charlie Chan : You quench fire of my curiosity with handful of *straw*!

• Rita Ballou : If I were a dose of poison, I'd give myself to you.

  Charlie Chan : Thank you so much.

• Tarneverro : Would you be surprised if I asked you to arrest a murderer?

  Charlie Chan : No, all foxes come at last to fur store.

• Charlie Chan : [when asked if he has a lie detector]  Oh I see. You mean, a wife. I have one!