ThelmaTodd
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Posts posted by ThelmaTodd
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Hi Bob,
The four lost Charlie Chan films are:
Chalie Chan Carries On (1931)
Charlie Chan's Chance (1932)
Charlie Chan's Greatest Case (1933)
Charlie Chan's Courage (1934)
The scripts survive; go check out http://charliechanfamily.tripod.com/id67.html for more info!
I could also suggest that you check youtube regularly, as so much "lost" material manages to wind up there!
Thelma
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Thank you Bob.
When you watch all the Chan films, you are struck by the changing actors and production values. The first Chan soundie, made in 1929, (there were silents!), features a very sultry atmosphere that focuses around a woman and her passions. The Chan role was played by a Cantonese speaking Chinese actor. The second Chan soundie was shot in Spanish, and featured a Spanish speaking Chan! The third Chan sound film featured Warner Oland for the first time, as well as Bela Lugosi in a gorgeous location shoot in Honolulu- "The Black Camel (1931)" The film is a valuable glimpse into what Hawaii looked like back then. Some of the filming was done in the lobby and grounds of the classic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a favorite place with me when I'm in Honolulu.
For over 20 years, the American public just couldn't get enough of all this, and so the series continued.
Thelma
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Although I can do without the man, I really have to respect the fact that people "voted yay" for him at the box office- and big time at that. He was one of, if not the top star for a while. That being said, one has to ask why.
It was him, with his humor and vitality to be sure, but it was also the whole Andy Hardy package which also included a cozy fictional and idealized small town, and a father figure in the form of Judge Hardy. This is somehow the way Americans wanted to see themselves, and they enjoyed identifying with the spunky young Andy Hardy. It was also a sentimental and idealized family life, the 1930's films a predecessor in spirit to the family sitcoms of the 50's, like "Father Knows Best", "Ozzy and Harriet" and "Leave It to Beaver". America loved Rooney because he represented "Main Street".
Thelma
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Dear Bob,
TCM handled the Chan films, and their Asian festival, very very well. As soon as I saw that the series was being co-hosted by a Chinese American film professor, I knew there would be no backing out as with Fox. TCM is no FOX, or rather, FOX is no TCM!
Shame that the studio name and lineage that originally brought us the Chan films, FOX, should turn their backs on it all!
The Professor's name sounded like Dennis X. Feng, with the University of Delaware. He touched on a number of points that we talked about earlier in the thread "FOX Bans Charlie Chan".
It was a special occasion-candy treat for TCM to air some Charlie. Professor Feng will not be around on indefinite call to help deflect potential PC crticism. I will not kid myself about how vocal and shrill the opposition could be if TCM should make a regular habit of airing these films.
Because the Charlie Chan films are addicting, and because TCM is not likey to air them too often, and because so many were made- I recommend to all that they go to video on this one. The absolute best DVD set for Charlie Chan is the 14 disc, 42 film set from the Vintage Theatre. Go to www.thevintagetheatre.com. All Chan soundies from 1929-1949!
Thelma
Message was edited by: ThelmaTodd
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On the thread named "Seeking Copy of Hollywood Revue of 1929", we are a work in progress towards showing 1920's related film materials. Some people have loaded youtube footage, both entire film and portions as well. More will be coming there in the future. There is a lot of historic research and preservation going on there!
Thelma Todd
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Message was edited by: ThelmaTodd
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Thanks!
Thelma
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How do you post videos from youtube on these message boards?
Thelma
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CHARLIE CHAN and more TONIGHT 6/10/08 PM
in Hot Topics
Posted
Hi Fred!
Don't you think "*Behind That Curtain*"(1929) was cool, and very atypical for a Chan film? "Charlie" was indeed played by a Chinese, and went AWOL on his own film except towards the end for a couple of minutes! A Chan film with almost no Charlie! The story is a romantic adventure mystery.
Thelma