For my birthday (which was last month) I treated myself to a box o' Charlie Chan films I found reasonably priced online at - gak! - Amazon. I didn't order them until a few days ago because I had to think long and hard about actually doing so. No spur of the moment spending around here, these days. Ha!
But I justified it by telling myself I couldn't pass up the opportunity. The price was just TOO good. Besides I am well and truly deserving of a belated Birthday treat. How's that? Works for me.
So, long story short: the package arrived today:
CHARLIE CHAN Volume 5 - Starring Sidney Toler
Seven, count 'em, 7(!) of my favorite Charlie Chan films in one convenient little box o' dvds collection.
CHARLIE CHAN'S MURDER CRUISE
CHARLIE CHAN IN PANAMA
CHARLIE CHAN in MURDER OVER NEW YORK
CHARLIE CHAN AT THE WAX MUSEUM
CHARLIE CHAN in DEAD MEN DON'T TELL
CHARLIE CHAN IN RIO
CHARLIE CHAN in CASTLE IN THE DESERT
Wow!!
The only favorites missing are: CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA and CHARLIE CHAN ON TREASURE ISLAND. But other than those two, my Charlie Chan obsession is satisfied. I am one very happy movie maven.
This is the collection.
Note: On double-checking, it looks like there might be a chance I've never seen CHARLIE CHAN in DEAD MEN DON'T TELL. How is this possible I ask you?
The truth is, I probably did see it, but so many years ago as makes no difference to my memory. The brief synopsis doesn't sound even remotely familiar. Well, I'll soon find out. Although my Netflix film arrived today as well and I want to write about that one for Tuesday's Overlooked Films. Obviously, this is another embarrassment of riches. Am I complaining? Nope.
Congratulations! Years of happy re-watches stretch out before you.
ReplyDeleteStrangers will comment on your smile when you recall Sen Yung's comic relief brilliance.
Under the influence of Mr. Toler, your knack with sarcasm will be the envy of all.
You'll have dreams of Kane Richmond (...in Panama) and Robert Lowery (...Murder Cruise, Murder Over New York) fighting for your hand. Oh, wait. Have I said too much?
Funny how we have to treat ourselves to get the perfect gift.
Robert Lowery, not so much. Never a big fan. But Kane Richmond, yeah, I could have a dream or two. Ha!
ReplyDeleteThough most of the young leading men in the Chan films were rather of the vapid school of looks and acting, truth be told. :)
Well, except for Cesar Romero in CHARLIE CHAN IN TREASURE ISLAND which is not in this collection.
I was always a big fan of Lionel Atwill. Though not to dream about, it's true.
But that's okay, I'm still looking forward to years and years of re-watching. There's just something about these old Chan films that I still enjoy even after all these many years.
I watched a Charlie Chan Marathon on television several years ago. What fun!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to try the Earl Derr Biggers books too, Yvette - they make it clear that Charlie was conceived and drawn by Biggers as a non-stereotypical character. I have a review of "Charlie Chan Carries On" in the pipeline for a few weeks down the road on my site, but I recommend it highly. Of the movies, I like the Warner Oland ones best, although a lot of the Sidney Tolers were pretty good too.
ReplyDeleteA Charlie Chan collection is an excellent belated birthday gift, Yvette. You deserved it!
ReplyDeletejenclair: Now I can have my own Charlie Chan Marathon whenever I'm in the mood! :)
ReplyDeleteLes: I have read some of them but many many years ago, so my memory of them is nil. I did read THE CHINESE PARROT (I think that's the title) last year or the year before and loved it.
ReplyDeleteFelony and Mayhem publishers have beautiful trade paperbacks.
I'll be sure and look for your review.
I liked Warner Oland better but then Sidney Toler sort of grew on me over the years. This collection is all Sidney Toler if I'm remembering correctly. But they're some of my favorites films so I don't mind much. :)
Yes I do, Pat. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI love Charlie Chan films, too. Over the past few years, I've treated myself to all five (I think there are only five) boxed sets. I can watch these films over and over, as I can the better of the Thin Man films. I just love the atmosphere of mystery movies from the 30's and 40's.
ReplyDeleteI saw myfirst Charlie Chan movie just last year. I picked one with a lcoked room. It was a Warner Oland movie, but not one in your DVD bonanza. CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET. I loved it. I still think Chan in the books is more human than the movie version. And he's quite a tough cookie to boot!
ReplyDeleteJoan: Yeah, Charlie Chan marathons are the best. And with you owning all five sets, that's what I call MAMMOTH Marathoning. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it's the whole 'atmosphere' thing about these films. There's some sort of comfort to be found in them. I like it.
John: Only one??? Oh dear, well, we'll soon have you watching more.
ReplyDeleteOh he's tough enough in the films too, I think. Underneath there's a hard will of steel, for sure.
Otherwise he would be a buffoon of some sort and he most emphatically is not that.
John you have to see:
CHARLIE CHAN AT TREASURE ISLAND
CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA
CHARLIE CHAN'S MURDER CRUISE
CHARLIE CHAN IN PANAMA
CHARLIE CHAN AT THE WAX MUSEUM (In which the plot makes no sense, but what the heck, it's SO creepy and fun.)
CHARLIE CHAN AND THE...well, the ones in my collection are good to go.
But avoid at all costs the later versions in which Mantan Moreland is added to cast for some sort of comic relief. (?!) They are awful.
I know! What took me so long? I was way into private eye movies for years and I think I really believed all the nonsense written by post-modernist ctritics lambasting the Chan movies and books as being racist so I stupidly stayed away. Now that I've actually read three Chan books I don't think so at all. Well, there is Mantan Moreland... It took an article by Bill Pronzini(who watched all of them in a kind of intense frenzy over a period of two years or something) to change my mind. Glad I did.
ReplyDeleteYour Chan movies are duly noted, Yvette. I'm printing this page and saving it by my laptop to be added via Netflix over the coming weeks. I'm toying with a side by side review of THE BLACK CAMEL - book vs. movie towards the end of the summer. And I may do the same with BEHIND THAT CURTAIN.
I never believed all that critical nonsense primarily because Keye Luke himself didn't believe it either.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd seen all the films growing up and knew that Chan was never portrayed in a racist, undignified, manner. He was always the smartest man in the room. How is that bad?
Anyway, you're welcomed to the fold, John. Better late than never.
I've always enjoyed the Chan films...well, the ones made by Warner Oland and Sidney Toler. CASTLE IN THE DESERT is one of my faves. I don't own it and therefore I am jealous! Oh, and happy belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rick. Yes, CASTLE IN THE DESERT is one of my favorites also. The story really makes no sense, but I enjoy the heck out of it anyway. I've been wanting to write a post on it for awhile. About the non-sensicality of it and how, for whatever reason the film still works for us. ;)
ReplyDelete