Castle in the Desert
1942, English. Directed by Harry Lachman.
Charlie Chan, with son Jimmy on a week's pass from the Army, takes up a request for help at a castle-home, miles from anywhere in the American desert south-west and inhabited by an eccentric, reclusive historian and his wife, a descendant of Lucrezia Borgia. Once there, he finds the request's legitimacy denied by all who are present, but still necessary as one houseguest has already been murdered, the other guests are at each other's throat, and the Borgia-related chatelain is suspected...
- Runtime
- 1h 2m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch Castle in the Desert
Castle in the Desert isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 2 February 1942.
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Part of a series
Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler): watch order
Cast & crew
- Harry LachmanDirector
- Sidney TolerCharlie Chan
- Victor Sen YungJimmy Chan
- Lenita LaneLucy Borgia Manderley
- Douglass DumbrillePaul Manderley
- Steven GerayDr. Retling
- Edmund MacDonaldWalter Hartford
- Arleen WhelanBrenda Hartford
- Ethel GriffiesMme. Saturnia, aka Lizzie
- Henry DaniellWatson King
- Richard DerrCarl Detheridge
- Lucien LittlefieldProf. Gleason
- Milton ParsonsArthur Fletcher
Details
- Released
- 2 February 1942
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- John Francis Larkin
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
Watch before Castle in the Desert
In release order. The films it follows, and anything it builds on.
Charlie Chan in Honolulu
1938 · 6.5/10
NewEarlier in the series
Charlie Chan in Reno
1939 · 6.4/10
NewEarlier in the series
Charlie Chan at Treasure Island
1939 · 6.8/10
NewEarlier in the series
City in Darkness
1939 · 6.5/10
NewEarlier in the series
Charlie Chan in Panama
1940 · 6.8/10
NewEarlier in the series
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise
1940 · 6.8/10
NewEarlier in the series
Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum
1940 · 7.6/10
NewEarlier in the series
Murder Over New York
1940 · 6.3/10
NewEarlier in the series
Dead Men Tell
1941 · 6.5/10
NewEarlier in the series
Charlie Chan in Rio
1941 · 6.5/10
NewEarlier in the series
After Castle in the Desert
What comes next in the series.
Charlie Chan in the Secret Service
1944 · 6.0/10
NewNext in the series
Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat
1944 · 6.5/10
NewNext in the series
Black Magic
1944 · 7.0/10
NewNext in the series
The Jade Mask
1945 · 6.1/10
NewNext in the series
The Scarlet Clue
1945 · 6.1/10
NewNext in the series
The Red Dragon
1945 · 6.3/10
NewNext in the series
If you liked Castle in the Desert
Crooked House
2017 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Lady in the Lake
1946 · 6.1/10
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All the Devils Are Here
2025 · 6.2/10
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The Two Jakes
1990 · 6.0/10
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2024 · 6.4/10
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2007 · 6.1/10
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L.A. Confidential
1997 · 7.8/10
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Suburbicon
2017 · 5.9/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
Nature of the Beast
1995 · 5.9/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Glass Key
1942 · 6.7/10
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Castle in the Desert: quick answers
What should I watch before Castle in the Desert?
Watch Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum (1940), Murder Over New York (1940), Dead Men Tell (1941), and Charlie Chan in Rio (1941) first, plus 6 earlier titles listed on this page.
What comes after Castle in the Desert?
Next in the series: Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944), Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (1944), and Black Magic (1944).
Is Castle in the Desert worth watching?
Castle in the Desert doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Castle in the Desert?
Castle in the Desert runs 62 minutes (1h 2m).
Does Castle in the Desert have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Castle in the Desert. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Castle in the Desert parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Castle in the Desert yet.
Which OTT platform is Castle in the Desert on?
Castle in the Desert isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 2 February 1942. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like Castle in the Desert?
If you liked Castle in the Desert, try Crooked House, Lady in the Lake, All the Devils Are Here.
Who directed Castle in the Desert?
Castle in the Desert (1942) was directed by Harry Lachman and stars Sidney Toler, Victor Sen Yung, Lenita Lane.