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When?

Which lost Chan films were last to be found and when were they actually found?
Thanks, Tony

Re: When?

Dear Tony,

For a time, "Charlie Chan in Paris" was considered as "lost." However, in the early 1970s, I believe, a copy was found in Czechoslovakia. Hopefully, some similarly kind fate can bring us one or more of the current list of four "lost" Charlie Chan films.

Sincerely,
Rush Glick

Re: When?

Paris is an interesting story. There are people who swear they saw it on their local channels as early as the 70s, but my first exposure to it was via the Key Video VHS release in the late 80s/early 90s.

I don't recall seeing Paris as part of any Chan syndication packages I watched before then.

Assuming these people are remembering correctly it could be possible that 16mm tv prints of Paris were circulating even as the 35mm master print was missing.

As much as I'd like for another missing Oland to appear, I fear that, barring a miracle, one won't be found 75 years after their release (at least one that hasn't turned to dust). Fox and private collectors have made exhaustive worldwide searches over the years to no avail.

In one sense, one could label some of the Monograms as being partially missing. If all we have left of Shadows over Chinatown and Chinese Ring are dupey, cloudy 16mm prints then the originals are, for all practical purposes, missing also.

I sincerely believe the reputation of these latter day Chans would improve if copies that weren't hard on the eyes were made widely available.

Steve

Re: Re: When?

Thank you both - so much.

Re: Re: Re: When?

Dear SteveIf you look in our Study at the program from "Charlie Chan at the Museum of Modern Art," a 1968 showing of all of the then-available Charlie Chan movies from Fox, it can be noted that "Paris" is missing from the list. I believe that this is another indication that it was "lost" at that time, although as you suggest, it could have been available, possibly, in a bad 16mm print.

Sincerely,
Rush

Re: Re: Re: Re: When?

I remember reading that they found CC in Paris in the '80s, and that CC in Egypt was found in an improperly marked bin without a title screen. Those were the last two "lost" Chans that were found.

I also remember reading that a 3-minute trailer of "Charlie Chan Carries On" was found in 2002 in a library in Australia. So it's theoretically possible, but I don't know if we'll ever see the four lost movies.

It is a shame about some of the later Chans but as long as there is a copy, I'd be pretty happy to watch it. Even a blurry Chan is better than no Chan at all.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: When?

Dear Steve,

As you say, "Even a blurry Chan is better than no Chan at all." I couldn't agree more!

As I mentioned above, "Charlie Chan in Egypt" was shown at the museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1968, so, it was not a "lost" film at that time. However, perhaps another print was uncovered later.

Sincerely,
Rush

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: When?

Very eeenteresting.

Was it ever explained why the CC in Egypt title screen was makeshift and didn't look like the others? Most of that post was stuff that I had read or heard about, so I had no idea how true it was or how long CC in Egypt had been lost, I just went on what I had read and heard. I did know that CC in Paris was lost for a while and that a trailer was found in Australia for CC Carries On.

As I eventually plan to watch all the movies that are known to exist, I made that statement about a blurry Chan. At least we can see these gems and keep them from being forever lost.