As noted in Yunte Huang's new book on Charlie Chan, Mr. Chan was indeed VERY popular in China, his "homeland." Not too many years ago, the entire set of Chan stories by Earl Derr Biggers was re-released there. Also, when Warner Oland toured parts of China in the late 1930s, he was welcomed as a hero and one of their own! Yes, the "Charlie Chan" movies made in China definitely testify pretty conclusively as to the iconic detective's popularity. The racial issues that are a fixation (and plague - in my humble opinion) of our time and culture were not - and apparently are not - a factor there or in other countries where Charlie Chan was seen for what he truly was: a Chinese master sleuth as well as an American hero...PERIOD.
Rush is so right . . . not that the critics of these movies will admit it. Too often their complaints are compromised since their auguments seem to be as full of bloopers as the movies to people like us who love the movies.
You both are Soo right. Case in point: George Takai, one of the major critics of Chan keeps himself busy playing Chinese stereotypes. Of special note is his voicework in cartoons playing the sterotypical "Wise old Chinaman."
