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FROM CHARLIE CHAN: “Suspicion, like rain, fall upon just and unjust.”
GREETINGS: This week, we begin our Monogram Pictures’ phase of our Charlie Chan Film Tour with “Charlie Chan in the Secret Service.” Also, we continue with Hawaii Steve’s selections of this week’s “extras,” as well as other related bits of information regarding our feature film! AND, we also have the first part of “The Great Charlie Chan Quiz” which was put together by Mike in DC! With these additions, we have the largest weekly CCF Newsletter to date!
OUR CHAT ROOM: Our Chat Room can be accessed the same way that we accessed by going to our “Chat Room” link at charliechan.info, or use this direct link: http://www.charliechan.info/id17.html
We Begin our evening at 7:30 Eastern Time with a 45-minute time for arrivals and greetings. During this time, we also have the opportunity to engage in open dialogue along with one or more “extras” (Thank you so much, Hawaii Steve!) that relate in some way to our feature presentation. Then, at precisely 8:15 ET, we begin our feature film simultaneously starting our personal or online copies of this week’s feature!
THIS WEEK’S PRESENTATION: “Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” (1944; 64 minutes)
FEATURE INTRODUCTION: A scientist, George Melton, is working on an important new invention that will protect Allied shipping from German U-boat attacks. Although he has been assigned Secret Service security protection he is murdered in his Washington, D.C. home. Charlie Chan, now working for the Secret Service in Washington, is assigned to the case. Chan is soon joined by two of his children, Number Three Son, Tommy, second daughter, Iris, as well as Birmingham Brown, the chauffeur of one of the guests. When the autopsy reveals that Melton was electrocuted, Chan must determine who among the numerous suspects is the guilty party.
FEATURE NOTES: This was the first Charlie Chan film that Sidney Toler made at Monogram Pictures after leaving Twentieth Century-Fox following the cancellation of the Charlie Chan film series at that studio. Toler, who had starred as Chan in many of the Fox films, bought the screen rights to the character from the widow of writer Earl Derr Biggers and continued to star as Chan for Monogram until his death in 1947, after which time Roland Winters assumed the role. This film also marked the beginning of Charlie Chan's work with the U.S. Secret Service for the remainder of the war. Mantan Moreland also made his debut as Birmingham Brown, a character who would become a mainstay of the series for the remainder of its run. Benson Fong appeared for the first time as Number Three Son Tommy, while his sister Iris, portrayed by Marianne Quon, made her sole series appearance in Charlie Chan in the Secret Service. The California State Building (1931-1975) in Los Angeles is the government building that was used for Charlie Chan's office at the Secret Service. Early in the film, Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan walks through the lobby of the State Building and out to the street to his awaiting taxicab.
CAST (as credited):
Sidney Toler: Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland: Birmingham Brown
Arthur Loft: Jones
Gwen Kenyon: Inez Aranto
Sarah Edwards: Mrs. Hargue
George Lewis: Paul Aranto
Marianne Quon: Iris Chan
Benson Fong: Tommy Chan
Muni Seroff: Peter Laska
Barry Bernard: David Blake
Gene Stutenroth: Louis Philipe Vega (alias Philipe von Vegon)
Eddie Chandler: Lewis
Lelah Tyler: Mrs. Winters
UNCREDITED CAST (alphabetical):
Davidson Clark: Sgt. Billings
John Elliot: George Melton
Stan Jolley: Coroner's Assistant
George Lessey: Slade
Gene Oliver
THIS WEEK’S IMAGE: (Attached) Outside George Melton's residence, Sgt. Billings greets Frances and Tommy Chan.
IF YOU LACK A COPY OF OUR FEATURE: Often our features can be found online, and happily, the good news continues! Our feature IS available through the link provided at our Chat Room.
FROM HAWAII STEVE’S DESK…THIS WEEK’S EXTRAS & INFO:
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The Former Studios of Monogram Pictures (1943-1967) Los Angeles
Address: 4401 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA
Notice the red brick walls, which are the original walls of the movie studio (circa 1922).
*** see attached image
KCET television studios in Los Angeles - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpk4QvSJTyM)
Running Time: 0:38.
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Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944) Wartime
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Beginning with the film “Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” (1944; Monogram Pictures), Charlie is no longer employed with the Honolulu Police Department. Due to World War II, Charlie is employed by the U.S. Government. He has relocated to the mainland (i.e. San Francisco). He is employed as a Government Agent, working for the U.S. Secret Service.
One of the fun aspects of the Monogram Chan films is seeing the buildings, landmarks, and streets of Los Angeles in the 1940s.
For this film, we see a few things related to the Los Angeles area and America's wartime effort.
TITLE/YouTube: “U.S. Secret Service Saved Churchill’s Life”
This video shows that though it was not as big as other agencies, such as the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service was at work on the home front during the War.
US Secret Service Saved Churchill's Life 1942 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP15KnpBdsY)
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TITLE/YouTube: “Charles Chan, Action Hero”
RUNNING TIME: 8:06
Actor Sidney Toler walking through the lobby of the California State Building, Los Angeles (September 1943).
Charles Chan, Action Hero - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJPPf45Jwb0)
RUNNING TIME: 1:43.
In the short video clip, we see the following:
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EXTERIOR: California State Building
The Government Building seen in the film is the "State Building" located in downtown Los Angeles, across the street from Los Angeles City Hall. It was constructed in 1931. After an earthquake in Southern California, it was determined that the building was unsafe. It was demolished in 1975.
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EXTERIOR: The Flag of California
The official state flag is seen in the exterior shots of the State Building. The flag features Monarch the bear. The image of the flag is “flipped” because we see the reverse side of the flag. When the flag is flying correctly, the head of the bear faces left, with the star point to the left, with the words along the bottom reading, “California Republic.”
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INTERIOR: The California State Building
DISCRIPTION: Chan walks through lobby of State Building.
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INTERIOR: shot of elevator doors opening, Chan sets into lobby.
On the wall, screen right, find poster #1.
TITLE: “Millions of Troops” (1943).
ARTIST: Montgomery Melbourne.
Image: many smiling faces looking at us.
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INTERIOR. Chan crossing lobby.
Against a lobby pillar column is poster #2, which is difficult to see.
TITLE: “You Fight By Buying” (War Bonds 
)
Image on poster board, has various flags around message.
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INTERIOR. Chan crosses lobby to revolving glass door.
On the wall, screen left, poster #3.
TITLE: “Attack, Attack, Attack” (c. 1943).
Image: Buy War Bonds.
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EXTERIOR. The California State Building
Chan walks out of the State Building, 215 West 1st Street, Los Angeles.
Front entrance of the California State Building, 1st Street.
--- Reverse Shot: Chan's P.O.V., view of small businesses along First Street, including:
Blue Diamond Grills (square white building across the street).
Address: 220 WEST 1ST ST.
[Confirmation: Los Angeles Times, Want Ads, 4/28/1943, p22]
LAST ENTRY IN L.A. TIMES: June 15, 1945.
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DVD/film: Charlie Chan in Secret Service (1944 MGM Home Video).
Charlie Chan In The Secret Service 1944 Sidney Toler - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr5Z_19MxE
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AND…FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT, A CHALLENGING CHARLIE CHAN TRIVIA QUIZ:
The World’s Greatest Charlie Chan Quiz
by Mike in DC
Part I
Inspector Duff: “Pity he’s wasted in a place like Honolulu, isn’t it?”
Inspector Hayley: “Well, it can’t be any worse than here.”
(“Charlie Chan Carries On”
Part I: “Begin at best place—beginning.” (Charlie Chan in London) – 36 pts.
A light warm-up for experienced Chan Fans. For newcomers, a survey of the essential knowledge from which greater things flow. (One point each, 36 points total.)
1. What is the name of the greatest Chinese detective in history?
2. Where was he born?
3. What was the location of his home in his adult life?
4. What was the name of the author who first chronicled Charlie’s exploits?
5. What was the name of the Honolulu policeman who captured that author’s imagination and led him to chronicle Charlie’s exploits?
6. What was Charlie’s first chronicled appearance in a case?
7. What was the first case in which Charlie had a significant role throughout the entire story?
8-10. List the names of the three actors who most frequently portrayed Charlie Chan in films.
“Father who depends on son is happy or foolish according to son.”
(Charlie Chan at Treasure Island)
11-13. List the given names of the three sons who most often accompanied Charlie on his cases.
14. Which actor played three different Chan sons?
15-20. Name those three sons and the films in which they appeared.
21. What was the final number of children in Charlie’s “multitudinous family?”
22. In which film was that “final number” revealed?
23. How many surviving films are in the “Chan canon” (i.e., those featuring the three main actors)?
24. What is the name of the earliest surviving “canonic” film?
25. What is the name of the last?
26. Charlie was famously courteous. What phrase did he commonly use to indicate appreciation?
27. How did his children usually refer to him?
28. What was the name of Charlie’s employer for most of his career?
29. What was his final rank in that organization?
30. Charlie had one famous foray into the world of politics, making a plea for moviegoers to support a referendum. In which state was this election?
31. What was the year?
32. What was the referendum about?
"Beauty of Chan family also have brains. Very fine combination.”
(Black Magic/Meeting at Midnight)
33-34. Name the two daughters who accompany Charlie in an adventure.
35. Which of these daughters did Charlie call the “Beauty of the Chan Family?”
36. Name one of the two movies in which a Chan daughter serves as one of his assistants.
Answers forthcoming…NEXT WEEK! ENJOY!
OUR MONTHLY POLL: Please take a moment to cast your vote in our JULY 2022 POLL, right here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7CW752H
LAST MONTH’S POLL RESULT: To see our JUNE 2022 Poll result as well as ALL of our polls going back to 2003, please use this link: http://www.charliechan.info/id93.html
NEXT WEEK (July 25): Please join us as we continue our Charlie Chan Film Tour 2022 with a shared viewing of “The Chinese Cat”!
AND, AS ALWAYS… DON’T MISS THIS GREAT CHARLIE CHAN BLOG!: A great blog site, The Postman on Holiday, is offered by our own Charlie Chan and Earl Derr Biggers expert, Lou Armagno which is: "A place to explore all things surrounding Detective Charlie Chan, his creator Earl Derr Biggers, and their connection with Hawaii, Cleveland, and mystery fiction." Updated each month, it can be found at this address: www.thepostmanonholiday.com
OUR 2022 CHARLIE CHAN FAMILY NEWSLETTER!
This year’s Charlie Chan Family Newsletter, chronicling the year 2021, is now available! Thank you so much, Lou, for your continued, masterfully hard work and dedication! It can be accessed at the following link:
https://thepostmanonholidayhome.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/2021-newsletter-lou-final.pdf
AND, FINALLY, REMEMBER: PLEASE JOIN US on Monday, July 18 for this week’s feature, “Charlie Chan in the Secret Service”
AS ALWAYS: THANK YOU SO MUCH…
Sincerely,
Rush Glick