The Feathered Serpent
Cast & Crew
William Beaudine
Roland Winters
Keye Luke
Mantan Moreland
Victor Sen Young
Carol Forman
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In San Pablo, Mexico, an expedition prepares to look for two archaeologists, Professors Scott and Farnsworth, who have been searching for the lost Aztec Temple of the Sun, but have been missing for months. Detective Charlie Chan, en route to Mexico City for a vacation with his two sons, Lee and Tommy, and his chauffeur, Birmingham, finds Scott delirious as he collapses on his way into San Pablo. Scott explains that after he and Farnsworth found the temple, they were held hostage and forced to unearth a fortune of jade and gold. Before Scott can name his captor, however, he is knifed to death. The search party includes Farnsworth's sister Joan, who is also his heir; her fiancé, archaeologist John Stanley; Farnsworth's fiancée, Sonia Cabot; and archaeologist Professor Paul Evans. While Chan discusses the case with Captain Gonzales, a poison dart is shot through the window, and Lee sees an Aztec Indian fleeing the scene. Chan and his sons join the expedition, which camps at the foot of the Diablo mountains in search of a stone containing ancient hieroglyphics that Scott said will lead them to the secret opening of the temple. While on night watch, Birmingham catches an Indian named Manuel fleeing the camp, and Chan and Lee follow him. Meanwhile, Stanley sneaks into the secret temple, where he is holding Farnsworth hostage in order to unearth the tomb of an ancient king that contains a fortune in antiques. Stanley orders his henchman, Diego, to kill Chan, but Diego is shot by Pedro, the camp cook, who turns out to be a member of the Mexican secret service. Chan removes Diego's wig and reveals that he was not an Aztec, but an American disguised in order to cast suspicion on the Indians. Stanley, meanwhile, threatens to kill Joan and Sonia if Farnsworth does not cooperate. After Sonia is killed at the camp with Evans' knife, two search parties go out. Chan's sons find the rock containing directions to the temple, but do not know how to enter it. When Birmingham inadvertently sits on the rock and is pulled inside, Lee and Tommy think he has disappeared. Stanley holds up Joan and a Mexican guide named Jose and brings them into the temple, where Manuel shoots Jose. Chan and his sons finally realize that the rock, which is marked by a symbol of a feathered serpent, is the temple's entrance and enter with Pedro. They knock out Stanley, then Chan explains that Stanley killed Sonia because she had been helping him smuggle Aztec treasures and he wanted to silence her. Chan now prepares for his vacation in Mexico City, but he is assured that the police there also will be needing his help.
Director
William Beaudine
Cast
Roland Winters
Keye Luke
Mantan Moreland
Victor Sen Young
Carol Forman
Robert Livingston
Nils Asther
Beverly Jons
Martin Garralaga
George J. Lewis
Leslie Dennison
Jay Silverheels
Charles Stevens
Milton Ross
Fred Cordova
Erville Alderson
Juan Duval
Frank Leyva
Crew
Ray Boltz
James S. Burkett
William Calihan
Hal Collins
Oliver Drake
Lloyd Garnell
Ace Herman
Eddie Jones
Edward J. Kay
Tom Lambert
Harry Lewis
Otho Lovering
John Martin
Ray Mercer
David Milton
Webb Overlander
William Sickner
Ilona Vas
Allen K. Wood
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Man who improve house before building solid foundation apt to run into very much trouble.- Charlie Chan
Trivia
Notes
The opening title card for this film reads: "Charlie Chan in The Feathered Serpent." For additional information on this series, please consult the Series Index and see the entry for Charlie Chan Carries On (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1931-40; F3.0663).
