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Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

ME: A friend and I were once upon a time station in Taipei, Taiwan ('74-'76, and being his wife is Taiwanese they recently took a trip back to the island. I asked him if he'd try to see if there could possibly be any copies of the Chinese version of Charlie Chan still around (a long shot, but what are old friends for!) Here are the film titles from Rush's site, my friend was armed with:

- "The Pearl Tunic" (1938) New China Picture Company (Shanghai, China)
- "Murder at the Taiwan National University Radio Station" (1939) New China Picture Company
- "The Great Charlie Chan Smashes an Evil Plot" (1941), New China Picture Company
- "Net of Devine Retribution (1947)", The Art Film Company
- "Hero of Our Time (1948)", Xu Production Studio
- "The Wise Charlie Chan Fights the Prince of Darkness" (1948), Wuzhou Film Company (Hong Kong)


(Here' his answer)

MY FRIENDS ANSWER: Lou, I went to three huge book stores and one small one to see if they had any info on your Charlie Chan Films. Two of the stores said they knew nothing about them. The One small one and one of the Larger book stores said that Hong Kong would be a good source. Unfortunately, we are not going to Hong Kong any time soon.

Would it not have been a gas if he's returned with one or two of the Chinese-language films for us to watch. I guess next stop will have to be Hong Kong! Anyone headed there?

Re: Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

Dear Lou,

Thank you for attempting that "long shot"! One never knows what such an attempt may lead to. One thing I DO know regarding Charlie Chan in China, is that in the early 2000s, the Chan stories by Earl Derr Biggers were republished in that country.

Thank you again for trying!

Sincerely,
Rush

Re: Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

Rush, that's rather interesting, especially being so recent! The latest U.S. editions where 2008 & 2009 by Chicago Academy Press. While they would be rather difficult to read (yuk, yuk) it would be interesting to see what the book covers, or book jackets if any, look like.

T.Y.S.M.
Lou
"Slowly we proceed we advance. All the time we run into brick wall. Then we turn about to find new path and slowly brick walls crumble."

Re: Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

Dear Lou,

Way back when, a gentleman from China sent me images of the covers of those books, but, sadly I lost those. However, it was a further indication to me that actual Chinese people in Chan's homeland didn't see Charlie Chan as a "negative racist stereotype." That's reserved for malcontents with a lot of time on their hands!

Sincerely,
Rush

Re: Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

Rush, I agree. And most races and countries have undergone xenophobic periods throughout history. I.e. the secret society know as "the boxers" around 1900 sought to expel all foreigners from China, during what was known as the Boxer Rebellion. Biggers detective definitely helped portray the Chinese in a more positive light to a fearful--and gullible-- general public.

T.Y.S.M. Lou

"Critics are sheep. They never lead." (Keeper of The Keys, 1932, Chapter 10)

Re: Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

:+1:

Re: Looking for the Asian Versions of Charlie Chan Films.

That's great guys. I know from what I have read, Key Luke always defended Charlie Chan, saying that at least it showed a Chinese person in a positive light, as a hero.