The Chinese Parrot (film)

The Chinese Parrot is a 1927 American silent mystery film directed by Paul Leni and starring Marian Nixon, Sōjin Kamiyama, and Hobart Bosworth. It is based on the 1926 novel of the same name by Earl Derr Biggers, featuring the character of Charlie Chan.

The film revolves around a valuable string of pearls, the theft of which is investigated by Charlie Chan. The pearls are being transported by a wealthy man as part of an arranged marriage agreement designed to bring peace between two feuding families. The parrot of the title is a key clue, as it witnessed the crime and may be able to reveal the identity of the thief.

The Chinese Parrot is considered a lost film, as no known copies are believed to exist. Fragments of the film are rumored to survive, but have not been officially verified. It is significant for being one of the earliest film adaptations of the Charlie Chan character and one of the few silent films featuring the detective. The film is also notable for its direction by Paul Leni, a German Expressionist filmmaker known for his innovative visual style. Although lost, the film remains a subject of interest for film historians and fans of early crime cinema.