Customer Reviews

The Charlie Chan Film Encyclopedia

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Aloha, I am Richard Layne, Jr., the last surviving child actor from the Charlie Chan series by 20th Century Fox. I played 3 different sons of Charlie Chan as I grew up acting in the series. It was one of the best experiences of my life. My family and I have all the old movies and love to watch them. I am anxious to get this book so that I can add it to my collection and memorabilia. My favorite line from the series was, "It was the lady in the white fox fur!!!" ....

I have enjoyed Dr. Berlin's book since its publication and still refer to it constantly. It is not a narrative, but rather an excellent complilation (encyclopedia) of facts of all things Chan.

Dr. Berlin goes way beyond the surface and provides interesting information about the actors (lead and supporting), directors, writers, and others who were responsible for making the films as well as valuable information and trivia about the films themselves.

I wish all film reference books were this good. Most offer mere synopses of the plots and use the same old stills that have been published many times. So, if you're looking for a picture book that scratches the surface, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a book that genuinely deepens your knowledge of the Chan films and remains fun to read, this does a great job.

This comes with my highest recommendation (and I'm not afraid to attach my user identity to the review).

After reading the glowing recommendations by other reviewers, I decided to take the plunge and spend $55 for this book. If you see the price and are hesitant, heed this warning and pass this by. Hopefully a more appropriate and popular-priced Charlie Chan filmography will materialize eventually.
The author evidently did not have access to more than a handful of promotional pictures to accompany the individual Chan films, and that's a major problem with the book. Lobby cards for "The Trap" and "Charlie Chan in Shanghai" are disappointing examples of few photos shown for specific films.
Toler's picture under the listing for his name is at least in character as Chan, but not for Oland or Winters. Most of the actors' photos used are not from Chan films. For example, the only photo of Mantan Moreland is from a 1955 non-Chan film; there's no picture for the Victor Sen Young listing itself, who the author says appeared in 18 Chan films; two Benson Fong pictures for his listing, neither from a Chan film; two non-Chan Keye Luke pictures for his listing. Instead we get a half-page photo of the China Clipper aircraft, and a full-page listing on Glenn Seaborg including a large photo, one of the more questionable inclusions in the book as he had no connection to any Chan film and there was no direct reference to him in a Chan film. We also get a full-page listing with photo of Jesse Owens who appeared in newsreel footage only in "Charlie Chan at the Olympics". The space given is equal to the listing for Roland Winters, who STARRED as Chan in 6 films. Photos of Jay Silverheels as Tonto, George Reeves as Superman, Milburn Stone as Doc in Gunsmoke and a 1960's era photo of Leo G. Carroll seem inappropriate as they are all years-removed from the Chan films in which they appeared. There are several Mr. Moto film promotional pictures. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES FROM THE CHAN FILMS??
There are also scores of pointless listings in the book. The author identifies Number One, Two, Three sons and daughters which is helpful, but what's the purpose of having listings such as "8251," "8:20 pm", "8:30 pm", "11:30 pm", etc.? It's filler material. Scores of off-the-mark listings that are sub-trivial. The author has collected a bunch of facts to include listings, but fails to examine his facts for their significance.
The listings for the individual films are the most disappointing. There is technical production information, release dates and plot summaries, but how about some ANALYSIS or better yet, inclusion of some contemporary REVIEWS of the films from media sources? The most we get is a few notes following the summaries, stating it was the first/last appearance by an actor.
I can't recommend anyone spend $55 for a book of this sort. It is an encyclopedia, not a filmography, but it reads like a college textbook and is bland and unsatisfying. Hopefully someone will work on putting together a decent filmography for a reasonable price, similar to "The Films of Sherlock Holmes" book issued a few decades ago.

The Chan encyclopedia is a fairly decent book. It eclipses the old, wayward Ken Hanke book. Both Berlin Hanke only examine the mainline series. Another new book, A GUIDE TO CHARLIE CHAN FILMS, also covers foreign Chan films and TV Chan, and it is well worth a look too since it the only one that gives an evaluative rating for each one. So there are a number of good Chan books out there now.

A great film reference for every Chan and mystery film fan. Everything you want to know about the Chan films is here for easy access. Many pictures and helpful tables add to its value. Fun to read. Goes well with Mr. Hanke's and Mr. Mitchell's books on the Chan films. There can't be enough books about the Chan films. This one is a keeper! I hope Mr. Berlin writes more books on old mystery films and Chan.

I see this book as complimentary rather than competitive with Hanke's CC at the Movies. It is not simply a series of plot summaries and reviews like CC at the Movies but rather a reference work which will be useful to any Chan fan or trivia buff. However, if I had to choose one book on Chan of those available to date, this would be it. It is so chock full of information that real afficianados will find themselves lost in its pages for hours. Its encyclopedia format makes it very easy to use and find information and the minibiographies of even bit players is of much use to 30's and 40's film buffs beyond simply the Chan series. It is also, within the state of my knowledge, very accurate and relatively typo free.

Having been a Chan "Fan" for enumerable years, I found Dr. Berlin's Encyclopedia a remarkable compilation of the facts which make Charlie Chan so popular.... everyday entries, done in a logical and readable manner, covering the entire series (and then some).

Dr. Berlin is a knowledgeable, verifiable source of ready information, gleaned from his vast knowledge of Charlie Chan, filmography as well as the novelistic detective. His background and writing skills are impeccable and extremely accurate... ask any Chan Board Trivia submittor!

This book belongs on any good movie buff's shelf. We bought ours directly from the publisher and could not be happier with our purchase. Howard certainly has done his homework here, no doubt about it!

I have this book and enjoy it both as a reading book and a reference. Itcontains insights to the subject of Charlie Chan that represent a thoughtful approach to a fictional character that spanned generations and different interpretations. As a reference work to me it's invaluable.

A must have for all fans of the great detective, both die-hard and casual. For too long Chan fans had very little outside of the films themselves to quench the thirst..now we have the Hanke, Mitchell and Dr. Berlin books....not to mention the wonderful Chan message board. Chan fans have truly been delivered from the wilderness! Anyone who buys Dr. Berlin's book won't be disapointed.

A great resource for all Chan film fans. The contents are exhaustive, with no item or reference too small or obscure. I loved the detail and meticulous researching that was done. Who but a real Chan fan would put so much effort into such a specialized work? Thanks, Howard Berlin!