Dear Adelaide,

First, WELCOME! It is always a great pleasure to meet a new Charlie Chan fan, and I easily note your excitement regarding the Great Detective! No need to apologize for your observations. They are obviously heartfelt, and are as valid as those of anyone else.

When Warner Oland, the original artor to portray Charlie Chan in the series proper passed away while visiting his native Sweden, the powers that be at Fox studios scrambled to find a suitable actor to resume that role. After testing many actors, Sidney Toler was awarded the part. Originally, Keye Luke was to remain Mr. Chan's Number One Son, but, a contract dispute with 20th Century-Fox (The studio was offering a contract much below what he had been earning, perhaps due to their fear that the series would fail without Warner Oland in the lead role.) resulted in Mr. Luke leaving the series. That resulted in Victor Sen Yung being chosen to play the "new" son who would work alongside his famous Pop. I believe that Jimmy Chan's was purposefully given a different slant, mainly to make him more distinguishable from his "brother" Lee Chan. To me, Jimmy seems to embody the new, "modern" spirit that kids of his generation might have felt. Jimmy has something of a restless energy and an eagerness, perhaps even an OVER-eagerness to do what he can to assist his Pop on the cases they shared, sometimes reluctantly so (at first!) by the elder Chan!

I think that you can see the same energetic spirit that I mention above in other films and film series from the era. Everything from "Our Gang" to "Andy Hardy" contains this youthful optimism, and "look out, world!" enercy, I believe. Yes, there was an aspect of comedy relief that Jimmy offered to audiences of the day, but, truthfully, I have never noted anything remotely demeaning in that aspect of his portrayal. Even Lee Chan (Keye Luke) had similar moments, and, this was only a part of a successful formula that the folks at Fox were following, and the length of the series ceertainly attests to their doing things right, I think.

From the films you mention having viewed thus far, I see that you haven't seen one of the several that actor Harold Huber appeared in. The comments that you offer regarding Jimmy Chan are what many fans of Charlie Chan state regarding Hubers roles in Chan movies. In a couple of pictures, he is VERY frenetic, but, as you suggest, this was due to the director's interpretation of the script, and with comedic relief in mind. So, it isn't just Jimmy who gets into harried situations in Chan films, but, you will find that other characters were called on to bring in lighter moments during Charlie Chan's adventures. Again, this was part of a formula that worked very well, and to this formula, we also see in nearly all Chan films that a love interest was added, sometimes for a son of Charlie Chan, including Jimmy, but more often for another supporting character or characters.

I hope that this has served to answer your questions regarding the treatment of Jimmy Chan on the screen. I think that the more Charlie Chan movies you view, the more that what I have suggested might make more sense to you. Please make your visits to this humble Message Board a habit, and, I also hope that you may try attending one of our Weekly Chats/Film Viewings one evening.

Sincerely,
Rush Glick

Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to further enlighten me about Mr. Chan's VERY energetic
Number Two Son, Jimmy! I did indeed also recognize
Jimmys' character spoke just as most all young people
spoke during that time, such as the, "Well, gee Pop!"
I am quite sure as I am able to watch more Chan movies, I will get to "meet" other helpful sons, probably just as energetic! Again, thank you for your reply. Now if I have other Charlie Chan questions, I will know where to come!

Dear Adelaide,

Please feel free to ask away anytime.

Sincerely,
Rush Glick