NEWS RELEASE: "NUMBER ONE SON JOINS CHAN BIRTHDAY PARTY"
Hollywood character actor James Hong joins the birthday celebration for author Earl Derr Biggers, the creator of the fictional Honolulu detective Charlie Chan.
The birthday event is part of the larger two-day celebration, "The Charlie Chan Mystery Weekend," hosted by Steven Fredrick, a local film historian known for his collection of rare Hawaii-theme films.
The celebration kicks off at noon on Sunday, August 22nd, at O'Toole's Irish Pub with a birthday toast to Earl Derr Biggers. Fans and friends of Charlie Chan will gather for this one-hour social hour at 902 Nu'uanu Avenue. No entrance fee for this event.
At 1:00 PM, on Sunday, August 22nd, Fredrick plays tour guide for the Charlie Chan Mystery Tour, a walking theme-tour to Chinatown sites related to police detective Chang Apana, writer Earl Derr Biggers, and actor Warner Oland.
At 5:00 PM, on Sunday, August 22nd, the celebration for Biggers moves to the Louis Pohl Gallery, 1111 Nu'uanu Avenue. This birthday reception includes a meeting actor James Hong. Hong portrayed Barry Chan, Number One Son, in the 1957 TV series "The New Adventures of Charlie Chan".
On Monday, August 23rd, the Biggers celebration continues as Fredrick hosts a movie screening of a rarely seen Charlie Chan film.
Earl Derr Biggers was born in August of 1884 in Warren, Ohio. After vacationing in Waikiki in 1919, Biggers created the immortal Honolulu detective Charlie Chan for his novel, "The House Without a Key." Five additional Chan novels, and a Hollywood-produced film series, followed.
James Hong is a noted Hollywood character actor, with 400 character credits to his resume. His major film credits include "Blade Runner," "Chinatown," and "Kung Fu Panda." He is the last surviving actor to portray Number One Son in the Charlie Chan series.
THE COSTS
The Biggers Birthday Toast & Social Hour at O'Toole's Irish Pub. This is an open-house event. Light pupus will be served. No cover at door. Sunday, August 22.
The Charlie Chan Mystery Tour is a three-hour walking tour. $30.00 per person. Liability forms and reservations are required 48 hours prior to the tour date. Sunday, August 22.
The Biggers Birthday Bash is reception at the Louis Pohl Gallery. $5.00 for advanced ticket, $7.00 at the door. Sunday, August 22.
The Charlie Chan Movie is at the V.I.P. Screening Room in Hawaii Kai. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. and the program starts at 7:00 P.M. Cost: $8.00 per adult. Reservations are required. Monday, August 23.
Funds raised from this event go for the preservation of original motion-pictures produced about Hawaii, including vintage Charlie Chan films.
For additional information, call (808) 395-0674 or email at filmguy54@hotmail.com.
