If you're a film collector there's always a few films from your childhood you've been looking for for years. I Cover Chinatown was the last on my bucket list. It just became available From Satellite Media Production. I hadn't known the name of the film or its stars. Fortunately, I found it listed in the Forgotten Horrors book and would occasionally search for it on the net.
The film is a cheap indie that rises above these restrictions to produce a nice comedy/drama with horror touches. It benefits from exteriors shot in San Francisco, obviously taken with a silent era camera. The chase through the streets is a precursor to Bullit. The major players are excellent. Norman Foster is both hero and director. As his star faded he jumped at the chance to direct which opened a whole new career for him. Theodore Von Eltz plays a cold blooded killer most believably. Elaine Shepard is both fetching and strong. A competent heroine. She deserved a better career than she had. The comedy elements are unfortunate as they usually are in films like these but I never forgot the beard sightings. Overall, worth your time.
The film is a cheap indie that rises above these restrictions to produce a nice comedy/drama with horror touches. It benefits from exteriors shot in San Francisco, obviously taken with a silent era camera. The chase through the streets is a precursor to Bullit. The major players are excellent. Norman Foster is both hero and director. As his star faded he jumped at the chance to direct which opened a whole new career for him. Theodore Von Eltz plays a cold blooded killer most believably. Elaine Shepard is both fetching and strong. A competent heroine. She deserved a better career than she had. The comedy elements are unfortunate as they usually are in films like these but I never forgot the beard sightings. Overall, worth your time.