Years ago, on Dr. Cream's "Charlie Chan Message Board" we tried writing a Chan story, with volunteers each writing one short chapter, trying to add an idea to the previous chapter, etc, and come up with finished Chan story in the end. I don't think we ever finished the project, but it may be a starting point for a new attempt to write a Chan story, which potentially could become a movie. Perhaps Rush or Kurt have access to the old chapters we already wrote. If a current new group of people reviewed them, we may have new ideas about how to continue.
Also, years ago someone on Dr. Cream's Board had access to old Monogram records that showed scripts or outlines for a couple more Chan movies that were never made. One story took place at a college, and one story was centered at a Chinese laundry (an idea that partially may have been used in "Shanghai Cobra"). If we can find this information again, it could be a starting point for a new Chan story.
Wow thats great stuff. Using one of the Monogram stories would be great and add some authenticity to it. One very popular way to get funding for it would be to start a Kickstarter project. Not sure how that works with non-profit films however. Unless of course the funding would help secure the rights as well.
You allude to a good point I did not consider. I don't know who currently owns the rights to the Charlie Chan character. We don't need permission to write our own story for our own use, but if we were to market or sell a product that would be a different situation, and may have legal issues to be worked out.
Hi John, I don't know if you remember me but this is a blast from the past, gosh it's years, but I still lurk.
I'm responding to your post about the Chan stories that were written by assorted members from the CCMB.
There were actually 3 to 5 complete stories written. I believe I have 3 complete stories, I'm not at home now so I'm not SURE how many. They're in rough shape as I copied them from the weekly (?) postingsat the CCMB and I never got around to putting them into manuscript form. I believe there was talk about a CC in Chicago when the concept petered out.
