This week's Chat/Film Viewing: "Charlie Chan in Reno"
FROM CHARLIE CHAN: “Praise in any language very sweet.”
THIS WEEK we follow Charlie Chan as well as Number Two Son, Jimmy to that “Biggest Little City,” Reno, Nevada. In 1939, Reno was a famous destination for those seeking a divorce. When a friend of the detective comes to the Chan to clear his estranged wife of a charge of murder, son, Jimmy joins him for what soon becomes a case that is anything but clear cut!
As is our custom, we begin arriving at 7:30 Eastern Time, we will be sharing, before our featured presentation, an “extra” in the form of a vintage Charlie Chan continuing radio drama! Following our “extra,” we will collectively run our feature at 8:15!
OUR PRESENTATIONS:
1.“The Landini Murder Case” (part 28) radio program (1936; Runtime: 14:22)
2.“Charlie Chan in Reno” (1939; Runtime: 70 minutes)
FEATURE SUMMARY: Mary Whitman has gone to Reno seeking a divorce from her husband, Curtis. While there, she is arrested on suspicion of murdering a fellow guest at her hotel, an establishment that specializes in accommodating individuals who are awaiting finalized divorces. There are many others at the hotel who harbor strong feelings against the victim. At the request of Mary's estranged husband who is a friend of Charlie Chan, the detective travels from his home in Honolulu to solve the murder.
FILM NOTES: The working title of this picture was “Death Makes a Decree,” as it was based on the story of the same name by Philip Wylie. According to materials contained at the UCLA Theater Arts Library, Paul Perez wrote a version of the screenplay in December 1938, but his name does not appear in the final credits. In the Call Bureau Cast Service lists, Sheriff Fletcher's name was originally Foster. Mrs. Russell was named Alice Williamson, and Choy Wong was named Sung Li. According to reviews in ‘Hollywood Reporter’ and ‘Motion Picture Herald,’ at the time that this picture was produced, this was the most expensive production in the Chan series.
TIME: We begin with arrivals and greetings at 7:30 EASTERN TIME. Then, we share our “extra,” which will be followed at exactly 8:15 (EDT) when we share our featured presentation “Charlie Chan in Honolulu.”
LOCATION: Our Charlie Chan Family Chat Room, which is accessed at http://www.charliechan.info/id17.html.
IF YOU LACK A COPY OF OUR FEATURE: Often our features can be found available online. GOOD NEWS! Our feature for this week, “Charlie Chan in Reno,” is available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7w30Cv9v58&t=514s Also, our “extra” can be found at: https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/crime/charlie-chan/charlie-chan-28-landini
NEXT WEEK: “Charlie Chan at Treasure Island” with Sidney Toler and Victor Sen Yung.
PLEASE accept this invitation share part of your Monday evening as we enjoy “Charlie Chan in Reno.”
