My personal opinion is that BEHIND THAT CURTAIN is not a Chan film. Not now and not in 1929. It is based on a Chan novel, but the character was virtually written out of the screenplay. I agree that it is historically important to have, but the film itself is virtually unwatchable and doesn't have the polish of an Edward D. Wood production for example.
I've been a visitor to your message board many times, but this is my first post. I was delighted when Fox began to issues the films on DVD and I have all three sets, but the latest one is especially nice. Charlie Chan on Broadway has always been one of my favorites and The Black Camel is great, too; but I want to put a word in defense of Behind That Curtain. It's true that Charlie puts in a limited appearance, but E. L. Park is commanding is his scene and Chan does figure in the final action, but beyond that, the film is a very interesting melodrama. Like most 1929 films, it's a little creaky but some of the desert scenery is beautiful and it benefits from the good performances of Warner Baxter and Boris Karloff. The culture and music critic Gary Giddins reviewed the set in the New York Sun last week. Here is a link to his review:
http://www.nysun.com/article/60452?access=302790.
