Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: [on the pier with other police to welcome Charlie Chan] Look, Smitty, have the band blast at somethin' Oriental. Hey, what is the Chinese national anthem anyway?
Smitty (Policeman): I don' know. Why don't you give 'em 'Chinatown, My Chinatown?'
Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: Okay, we'll play it.

Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: I wish the fishing season was as open as the one for murder.

Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: Mr. Chan?
Charlie Chan: That is humble name.
Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: I'm Inspector Nelson, Mr. Chan. Greetings from New York's Finest. The bigwigs expect you to tear a duck apart with 'em tonight.
Charlie Chan: So sorry, come again please?
Speed Patten, Reporter New York Bulletin: You'll have to excuse the inspector's English, Mr. Chan. He's a Brooklyn immigrant.

Lee Chan, #1 Son: Gee, Pop, you sure missed a wonderful luncheon!
Charlie Chan: [at the shiprail suffering from seasickness] Contradiction, please. Not having eaten have missed nothing.
Lee Chan, #1 Son: I had turtle soup, chicken a la king, and three cream puffs. Then I had some ice cream.
Charlie Chan: Please stop! Mention of food more painful than surgeon's knife without anesthesia.
Lee Chan, #1 Son: Shall I get you medicine, Pop?
Charlie Chan: Good dose of land only effective medicine.

Speed Patten, Reporter New York Bulletin: Looks like you got half of headquarters down here. What's up?
Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: I'm lookin' for the other half.
Speed Patten, Reporter New York Bulletin: Expect someone to steal the Atlantic?
Chief Inspector James Nelson NYPD: No, the boys are goin' wading.