Performance & Direction: The Black Camel Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Black Camel (1931) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Black Camel features a noteworthy lineup led by Warner Oland . Supported by the likes of Sally Eilers and Bela Lugosi , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Black Camel (1931) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Black Camel
Quick Plot Summary: The Black Camel is a Crime, Mystery film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Black Camel
Ending Breakdown: The Black Camel concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Black Camel reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Black Camel Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Black Camel incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, mystery film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Black Camel adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Black Camel?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: The Black Camel
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Black Camel Online?
Streaming HubThe Black Camel Parents Guide & Age Rating
1931 AdvisoryWondering about The Black Camel age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Black Camel is 71 minutes (1h 11m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Black Camel is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1931 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Black Camel worth watching?
The Black Camel is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Black Camel parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Black Camel identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Black Camel?
The total duration of The Black Camel is 71 minutes, which is approximately 1h 11m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Black Camel
How The Black Camel Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Black Camel
Warner Oland is "Charlie Chan" in this engaging marriage of the occult with the vanities of Hollywood stardom. "Sheila Fayne" (Dorothy Revier) is an actress being pursued by the wealthy "Alan Jaynes" (William Post). Before she will commit to his ardour, she consults her psychic medium "Tarneverro" (Bela Lugosi). Instead of a simple yeah or nay, though, he raises the spectre of the death of her erstwhile co-star "Danny Mayo" and next thing we know "Chan" is investigating a far more recent murder. Loads of possible culprits; some eerily lit settings, a bit of gently cerebral humour and the sight of his assembled family at a dinner table that would have made even the "Walton's" blush all helps the mystery develop nicely. Lugosi is effective as the clearly dubious mystic, and there's an early turn from the handsome Robert Young to look out for, too. It's well directed, written and the suspense builds nicely. Oland presents a "rotundness" of spirit with his performance; his frequent adages delivered with his tongue in his cheek - and I enjoyed this.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Warner Oland
View full filmography
Part of the Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise