On Thursday, April 21st, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) hosts a China-theme movie night. Two of the films feature our very own Warner Oland in two of his best non-Charlie Chan films.
First up is "The Painted Veil" (1934) with Greta Garbo, Herbert Marshall, George Brent, and Warner Oland. As one of Garbo's assistants is Keye Luke in his motion-picture debut. It's just wonderful to see Oland and Luke together before they teamed up as father and son in the Chan film series. Film critic L. Maltin gives this film a **1/2 rating.
Later that same night is "Shanghai Express" (1932) with Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Warner Oland. Off-screen Oland and Wong were great friends. During the 1920s and 1930s, they worked together in three or four films. This film is beautifully directed by Josef Von Sternberg. A true classic from Hollywood's golden era. Maltin gives this film a *** rating.
And still later that same night is "West of Shanghai" (1937) with the master of terror films, our beloved Boris Karloff. It's not one of Karloff's best, but it's always interesting to see Boris play the heavy. Maltin gives this film a ** rating.
Mark your calendars and set the timers on your video recorders for a special night of unique Chan-related films.
Don't forget to send TCM a special thank you for this special night of film programming.
