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FROM CHARLIE CHAN: “Things misplaced sometimes furnish very good clues.”
GREETINGS: This week, we continue Monogram Pictures’ phase of our Charlie Chan Film Tour with “Black Magic,” also known as “Meeting at Midnight.” Included for your enjoyment, we offer Hawaii Steve’s selections of this week’s “extras,” as well as other related bits of information regarding our feature film! AND, for those who took the challenge of answering the questions from the first part of “The Great Charlie Chan Quiz” which was put together by Mike in DC, we will now present the next portion, Part 2! Please ENJOY!!!
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: “The Jade Mask” (1944; 66 minutes)
FEATURE INTRODUCTION: Charlie Chan is assigned by the government to investigate the murder of Harper, an eccentric scientist who had been experimenting with a formula that could turn wood into a substance as hard as steel. Chan, with Number Four Son, Edward and Birmingham Brown in tow finds himself in a strange mansion that is teeming with an odd assortment of suspects, virtually all having a possible motive to do away with Harper. Several additional murders occur as the detective closes in on his quarry.
FEATURE NOTES: The working title of this film was Mystery Mansion. The title card on the print reads: “Charlie Chan in ‘The Jade Mask’." Early ‘Hollywood Reporter’ production charts include Russell Simpson in the cast, but it is unlikely that he appeared in the released film. The ‘Variety’ review mistakenly identifies Edwin Luke's role as Tommy in the accompanying list of credits. Edwin Luke, who played Edward Chan in this picture, was the younger brother of actor Keye Luke, who had previously played son Lee Chan in numerous films in this series.
CAST (as credited):
Sidney Toler: Charlie Chan
Mantan Moreland: Birmingham Brown
Edwin Luke: Eddie Chan (also called Edward)
Hardie Albright: Walter Meeker
Frank Reicher: Harper
Janet Warren: Jean Kent
Cyril DeLevanti: Roth
Alan Bridge: Sheriff Mack
Ralph Lewis: Jim Kimball
Dorothy Granger: Stella Graham
Edith Evanson: Louise Harper
Joe Whitehead: Dr. Samuel R. Peabody
Henry Hall: Inspector Godfrey
Jack Ingram: Lloyd Archer
Danny Desmond: Bellboy
UNCREDITED CAST (alphabetical):
John Breen: False Police Officer
Lester Dorr: Michael Strong
THIS WEEK’S IMAGE: (Attached) Charlie Chan tells Michael Strong not to touch the body of the deceased Roth.
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:
FEATURE FILM: Charlie Chan in "The Jade Mask”
The Jade Mask is the fourth Charlie Chan film made with Sidney Toler at Monogram Pictures. It was released on January 26, 1945 in the USA.
FILMING LOCATION/FICTITIOUS SETTING: Los Angeles "posing" as New York City.
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CLOSING CREDITS include the following wartime message: "Calling 80,000,000 American Movie Goers! Buy War Savings Stamps and Bonds. On sale in this Theatre."
CULTURAL AND HISTORIC CONNECTION between Feature Film and Short Extras. See below.
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STORYLINE OF FILM: A scientist works on a new gas that turns wood into a substance as hard as steel.
THEME OF FILM: Science Supporting the U. S. War Effort (1942-1945).
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EXTRA #1: The Tree in a Test Tube (1942 U.S. Dept of Agriculture)
Cast: Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
Narrator: Pete Smith.
Plot: With the help of Pete Smith, "the boys" examine wood products.
The tree in a test tube - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLkJwwifM5I)
Running Time: 5:32.
The Tree in a Test Tube - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tree_in_a_Test_Tube)
And ...
The Tree in a Test Tube (Short 1942) - IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036455/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_8)
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EXTRA #2: Food Rationing and Gas Rationing (c1945 newsreel)
Plot: Rationing among U.S. civilians during WW2.
1940s World War II Food Rationing and Gas Rationing - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxgL7Z9Zkvs)
Running Time: 2:09 My Footage.com.
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EXTRA #3: Actor Frank Reicher, Supporting Player, Charlie Chan Movies
Included among Mr. Reicher's film credits are: King Kong (1933), The Son of Kong (1933), Charlie Chan in Egypt (1935) with Warner Oland, Night Key (1937) with Boris Karloff, Ninotchka (1939) with Greta Garbo and Bela Lugosi, The Face Behind the Mask (1941) with Peter Lorre, The Mummy's Tomb (1942) with Lon Chaney, Jr., The Mummy's Ghost (1944) again with Chaney, House of Frankenstein (1944) again with Karloff and Chaney, and The Jade Mask (1945) with Sidney Toler.
Frank Reicher - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Reicher)
TITLE: Frank Reicher's Top 10 Movies
Plot: Highlights from Frank Reicher's film career.
Frank Reicher Top 10 Movies of Frank Reicher| Best 10 Movies of Frank Reicher - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Yh2AxkHdM)
Running Time: 2:06 Filmograma, 2021.
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AND…FOR YOUR CONTINUING ENJOYMENT, A CHALLENGING CHARLIE CHAN TRIVIA QUIZ (CONTINUED):
The World’s Greatest Charlie Chan Quiz (Parts 2&3)
by Mike in DC
Part II: “World is large - me, lowly Chinaman.” (Charlie Chan in London) – 24 pts.
Charlie’s exploits take him to exotic settings where unusual occurrences are commonplace. Answer the following questions and identify the film associated with them. (One point for each correct answer, one point for identifying the film; 24 points total)
What are committed in the sewers of Paris?
Where was Lake when Capt. Hamilton was murdered?
Where is the vile den known as the Versailles Café located?
What cannot happen…in Berlin?
What is the best club for amateur photographers to visit?
Where was Susan B. Jennings tied up?
Of what locale is Dr. Zodiac a native?
Whose murder brought Charlie to our nation’s capital?
What happened in London on the night of October 5, 1935?
A “Shanghai Trio”
Where did the Shanghai cobra do its deadly work?
Where did Mei Ling leave the Shanghai Maid?
Where was the Shanghai chest found?
Part III: Patience is a virtue – 20 pts.
Throughout his career, Charlie admonished others not to act in haste and to have patience. Identify the films from which these aphorisms come. (Two points each, 20 points total)
1. Hasty accusation like long shot on horse race - odds good, but chance is doubtful.
2. Hasty conclusion easy to make, like hole in water.
3. Hasty conclusion like gunpowder - easy to explode.
4. Hasty conclusion like hind leg of mule - kick backward.
5. Hasty conclusion like toy balloon - easy to blow up, easy to pop.
6. Hasty deduction like ancient egg: look good from outside.
7. Must have patience.
8. Patience lead to knowledge.
9. Patience—must harvest rice before can boil it.
10. Patience very lovely virtue.
AND…THE ANSWERS…
Part II: “World is large - me, a lowly Chinaman.” (Charlie Chan in London) – 24 pts.
Many strange crimes; Charlie Chan at the Olympics
In his “loose box” above the stable; Charlie Chan in London
Shanghai, China; Charlie Chan in Shanghai
According to Lt. Strasser, “Such things cannot happen…in Berlin!”; Charlie Chan at the Olympics
The Hottentot Club in NY on Photo Night; Charlie Chan in Brooklyn
She was tied up at the Honolulu dock (Susan B. Jennings is a ship); Charlie Chan in Honolulu
According to the Turk, “Dr. Zodiac is a native of The Universe”; Charlie Chan at Treasure Island
Prof. Melton’s; Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (Charlie’s first wartime service)
Chardo the Great was gravely injured in a motor accident; Black Magic/Meeting at Midnight
A “Shanghai Trio”
In a diner in NY; The Shanghai Cobra
In San Francisco; The Chinese Ring]
Joe Pendello’s apartment in San Francisco; The Shanghai Chest
Part III: Patience is a virtue – 20 pts.
1. Charlie Chan at the Olympics
2. Charlie Chan in Egypt
3. Charlie Chan in Paris
4. Charlie Chan in Shanghai
5. Charlie Chan at the Race Track
6. Charlie Chan's Secret
7. Charlie Chan in Rio
8. Charlie Chan in Panama
9. Docks of New Orleans
10. Docks of New Orleans
OUR MONTHLY POLL: Please take a moment to cast your vote in our AUGUST 2022 POLL, right here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HFSDBKR
LAST MONTH’S POLL RESULT: To see our JULY 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 (AUGUST 15): Please join us as we continue our Charlie Chan Film Tour 2022 with a shared viewing of “The Scarlet Clue”!
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, August 8 for this week’s feature, “The Jade Mask.”
AS ALWAYS: THANK YOU SO MUCH…
Sincerely,
Rush Glick