Rush, Do you think I should lend my Charlie Chan DVD's with the extras so he can be better informed about Charlie Chan? Speaking of which, Several of the residents at the Retirement Home I work at, has expressed interest in watching some of the Charlie Chan Movies. They have an Entertainment Room, where they watch movies(usually rented family films from Blockbuster) twice a week. I am going to ask for permission from the Executive Director at my work, if I can show the Charlie Chan Movies and maybe have a discussion period afterwards. Do you think it's a good idea?

Dear Sam,

Great idea!

On my few encounters with residents of retirement homes, I can tell you that, in my opinion, they will LOVE the opportunity to see these films! You might like to see if you can show one film per evening for several evenings, or, perhaps, one movie each week on a specific evening.

Do you think that you would be allowed to make it a real movie event complete with popcorn and refreshments? This would add to the fun, don't you think? You could also act as MC and introduce the movies and give some information about the films, actors, etc. Be sure to ask the members of the audience to share any memories that they may have regarding Charlie Chan.

As for loaning out your DVDs, I always tell people to do so only if they are willing to take the risk of getting the material back in a condition slightly less than it was before it left your hands. Perhaps your friend could attend the Chan showing that you propose?

Sincerely,
Rush

Rush, Thanks for the advice.Movie Nights are on Wednesday and Saturday Nights. Saturday would be the best day. As for refreshments, they do offer popcorn and Lemonade as well as Freshly Baked Cookies.If it works out, I plan to bring both Ken Hanke's book as well as Howard Berlin's fine Charlie Chan Encyclopedia to help me. I also plan to invite my coworker "Ken Wong", to view it too, though I'm afraid he might spoil things with the anti-Chan rhetoric.I am looking forward to it as well as this Monday Night!

What a great thing you're doing Sam...sounds like a lot of fun.

Regarding loaning DVDs - I made that mistake once, never again. These days I only loan them to family members.

I am sorry to hear about your co-worker that is hostile to Chan. As Rush said, he probably was exposed to some bad thinking in his education. From my readings and observations, Asians that have actually taken the time to watch the films are generally much more positive about them than those who were simply told about them.

There's a great scene in Paris when Charlie gently, but effectively, puts Max Corday in his place after the latter rather childishly mimics a Chinese accent in speaking to Charlie. To me, that shows the respect that writers had for the character and his heritage. To say the films are racist is, to me, absolutely ludricrous.

Steve

Sam,
I suspect that you won't have to worry!

Your older residents will probably be able to handle the "nay-sayers" with graciousness, good-will, and far more documentable rebuttals than anything that they can come up with.

If these people keep coming up with the Politically Correct message inspite of what your senior citizens say, they'll just make themselves look that much worse!

Sam: please let us know what happens if you get to show the films! And join us monday nite if you are able. Regards, johnr

I plan to talk to the boss tomorrow about the Charlie Chan showing at work. I am looking forward tonight "Charlie Chan In London".

I'm so excited for you Sam! I hope all goes well. Which Chan are you going to choose? I don't know that you have them all, but it makes me think, which would be the best Chan to show to someone somewhat antagonistic towards them? (You certainly don't have to take our suggestions, Sam, it's just part of the fun of discussing Chan.) Steve's idea of CC in Paris is good because he is shown to be a famous international figure, well respected, clever, gentlemanly and he does deal well with the character that treats him as your co-worker would expect. Any other Chans that would or would not be the first one you would choose to show a neophyte?

~Mrs. P

I only have the current DVD's, Both Fox and MGM. I was planning to show it in chronological order like Rush is doing starting with Charlie Chan In London.