Sky Dragon (1949)

A mid-air mystery unfolds as Charlie Chan investigates a daring theft aboard a drugged flight to San Francisco.

Sky Dragon - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Sky Dragon
  • Release Year: 1949
  • Directed by: Lesley Selander
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Crime
  • Age Rating (US): NR
  • Runtime: 1h 4m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): April 27, 1949 (United States - NR)
  • Alternative Titles: Charlie Chan in The Sky Dragon (US)
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Sky Dragon - Plot

All the passengers on an airplane headed for San Francisco are drugged, and when they wake up, it is discovered that a quarter-million dollars is missing. Charlie Chan--and, of course, his #1 son--must discover the identity of the person who doped the passengers and stole the money.

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Sky Dragon - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Lesley Selander

Main Cast

  • Roland Winters
  • Keye Luke
  • Mantan Moreland
  • Noel Neill
  • Tim Ryan
  • Iris Adrian
  • Elena Verdugo
  • Milburn Stone
  • Paul Maxey
  • Joel Marston

Writers

  • Oliver Drake

Producers

  • James S. Burkett

Sky Dragon - FAQs

What is Sky Dragon about?

Sky Dragon follows the legendary detective Charlie Chan and his son Lee as they unravel a daring airborne heist. Every passenger on a flight to San Francisco is mysteriously drugged mid-journey, and when they come to, a quarter-million dollars has vanished. Chan must piece together the clues before the culprit escapes.

Is Sky Dragon the last Charlie Chan film?

Yes, Sky Dragon holds the distinction of being the final entry in the long-running Charlie Chan film series. Released in 1949, it marked the end of an era for the franchise that had spanned decades and dozens of films across multiple studios.

Who plays Charlie Chan in Sky Dragon?

Roland Winters steps into the role of Charlie Chan, with Keye Luke alongside him as son Lee Chan and Mantan Moreland providing comic relief as Birmingham Brown. Noel Neill — best known as Lois Lane in the Superman TV series — also appears as Jane Marshall.

Where can you watch Sky Dragon online?

You can check all available streaming and viewing options for Sky Dragon on JustWatch, which tracks where the film is currently available in your region — whether for free, rental, or purchase.

What genre is Sky Dragon?

Sky Dragon blends Adventure, Comedy, and Crime into a breezy whodunit set at altitude. It's a classic example of the light mystery-comedy style that defined the Charlie Chan series — fast-paced, witty, and built around a clever central puzzle.

Does Noel Neill appear in Sky Dragon?

Yes! Noel Neill, who became a household name as Lois Lane in the Adventures of Superman TV series, appears here as Jane Marshall — one of the drugged passengers caught up in the mid-air theft. It's a fun early credit for a beloved television icon.

How long is Sky Dragon?

Sky Dragon runs a tight 64 minutes — a brisk, no-filler runtime that was typical of the B-movie programmers of the late 1940s. It's the kind of film that gets straight to the mystery and keeps things moving from start to finish.

Are there similar films to Sky Dragon worth watching?

If you enjoy Sky Dragon, earlier entries in the series like Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936) and Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938) are well worth exploring. Murder by Death (1976) and Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) also capture that same classic mystery-comedy spirit.

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