From his primitive nonseries beginnings through the well known Fox series of 44 films (1931-1949), here is the complete history of famous film detective Charlie Chan. The films are presented in chronological order, with full cast and credits, synopses and evaluations. Biographical details on the three most famous screen Chans-Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, and Roland Winters-and background information on series directors and supporting players, insights into the making of the films and the full story of the abrupt halt in 1949 as well as a full array of the detective's aphorisms (or Chan-o-grams) are included. Numerous photos throughout.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"each of the films in detail, with complete credits" -- Classic Images
About the Author
Ken Hanke is the associate editor of Scarlet Street, a magazine covering the horror and mystery genres. He has also contributed articles to Filmfax, Video Watchdog and Films in Review. A member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, he lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent guide to the Charlie Chan movies,
By
This review is from: Charlie Chan at the Movies: History, Filmography, and Criticism (Library Binding)
This is the first book-length examination of the popular Charlie Chan movie mysteries. The author does a commendable job showcasing the great moments (and not so great moments) from the Chan canon, with interesting biographical information about actors Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, and Roland Winters, plus frequent first-person recollections by "number one son" Keye Luke. Author Hanke scores points on several counts: he describes and contrasts the Chan of the books to the Chan of the screen; he has good words for the seldom-discussed Monogram productions of the mid-'40s; he bravely defends the always-maligned Roland Winters, the movies' final Chan; he cleverly uses Charlie's pearls of ancient wisdom as one-line synopses of the films under discussion; and best of all for armchair detectives, he describes each movie observantly and intelligently, without giving away the outcome or the culprit . This is a very helpful "episode guide," with dozens of photographs and lobby cards illustrating the text. Fans of the Charlie Chan series should enjoy this book, which can be enjoyed both for light reading and easy reference.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Number One, Son!,
By yaremar (Pilsen, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Charlie Chan at the Movies: History, Filmography, and Criticism (Paperback)
I finally got a copy of this book, and I can't believe how terrific it is. The primary reason for my disbelief are the one-star reviews this volume has received. "Rather mediocre"--? "Not much help"--? Is there ANOTHER edition out there that I don't know about? I read this book cover-to-cover and I can find no fault with Ken Hanke's superlative coverage. I honestly don't see what the detractors are complaining about. Some whine that Hanke doesn't disclose the identity of the killers. I say THANK YOU. These are MYSTERIES after all, and I admire the fact that Hanke respects the reader enough not to spoil the fun. Speaking of fun, that describes Hanke's writing style--along with scholarly and informative. If anyone asks me to recommend a book on the wonderful Charlie Chan series, this is the one I'll direct them to. It's the Great Volume on the Great Detective.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the Chan film book to buy.,
By A Customer
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This review is from: Charlie Chan at the Movies: History, Filmography, and Criticism (Paperback)
Compare this book to the Charlie Chan Encycopedia by Howard Berlin, and this book wins out. Hanke gives in-depth information on each Charlie Chan film including a complete synopsis of the story, reviews, commentary, and actually includes a photo from each film, something the Berlin book failed to do. Nor does it wander off the subject as did the Berlin book.The paperback edition is $35. That may still be a little high, but if you're a fan of the Charlie Chan films, this book delivers the goods and is what you want.
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Citations (learn more)
4
books
cite this book:
- Transpacific Displacement: Ethnography, Translation, and Intertextual Travel in Twentieth-Century American Literature by Yunte Huang on page 122, and Back Matter
- American National Biography: Supplement 1 by Paul Betz on page 462
- Images of Aging: Cultural Representations of Later Life by Mike Featherstone on page 206
- Zodiac Unmasked: The Identity of America's Most Elusive Serial Killer Revealed by Robert Graysmith in Back Matter
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