There are two websites that feature complete versions of Charlie Chan movies. The more popular of the two sites is YouTube.com. The other website is the Internet Archive. [http://archive.org]
Among the movies and videos posted at the YouTube website are international films and American television episodes that are still held in copyright protection. As of this date, YouTube features several Charlie Chan films produced and/or distributed by both 20th Century Fox and Monogram Studios. The majority of these films are still held in copyright protection by their respective studios. Many of these film and video programs are posted without the permission of the copyright holder.
After time, these copyright films and TV episodes may be removed from the YouTube website. An example: In 2012, "The Black Camel," was removed by two clients claiming violation of copyright.
The Internet Archive website is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of classic movies and rare television episodes that have fallen into public domain. [Note: After 28 years of copyright protection with the Library of Congress, a film needs to have the copyright renewed or it falls into public domain. The film becomes copyright free.]
The Internet Archive offers seven Charlie Chan movies for our viewing pleasure. At your convenience, please visit this website. Upon reaching the site, one has a choice as to retrieving the titles. One can type in Charlie Chan, Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, Roland Winters, or the film title. Don't forget to select "MOVIES" across the search header. If one selects "All Media Types," other material related to Charlie Chan will come up. The Internet Archive has postings of the Charlie Chan radio show (circa 1940s) and the comic books from the 1950s.
For a few years, the Chan movies have been posted at the Internet Archive. The quality varies on selected postings. Some of the movies are from clean video copies, while others are from worn 16mm film prints. The seven Charlie Chan movies are:
1. CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET (1936). There are three postings of this title.
a. "CCS 720" - video copy by Feature Films, Feb. 2012. Excellent video and audio. Sharp image and crisp audio.
b. 16mm film print by The Video Cellar Collection, May 2009. Poor quality, soft focus.
c. Videotape of 16mm film by Feature Films, Dec. 2008. Poor quality, out of focus.
2. THE SCARLET CLUE (1945). There is one posting of this title.
Video copy (MGM/UA logos/Adglo-Ama Films) by Feature Films, May 2011. Excellent video and audio.
3. (CHARLIE CHAN IN) DARK ALIBI (1946). There are two postings of this title.
a. Video copy (Pathe Pictures) by Feature Films, Sep. 2010. Excellent video and audio.
b. 16mm film print (Monogram) by The Video Cellar Collection, June 2009. Fair quality, soft focus.
4. DANGEROUS MONEY (1946). There is one posting of this title.
Video copy by Feature Films, August 2010. Excellent video and audio.
5. THE TRAP (1946). There are two postings of this title.
a. Video copy by Feature Films, no date listed. Excellent video and audio.
b. 16mm film print by The Video Cellar Collection, April 2010. Fair quality, image and audio.
6. THE CHINESE RING (1947). There is one posting of this title.
Video copy by Feature Films, August 2010. Excellent video and audio.
7. THE GOLDEN EYE (1948). There is one posting of this title.
16mm film print (Norwalk Productions) by The Video Cellar Collection, July 2011. Fair quality, soft focus.
EXTRA #1: MR. WONG, DETECTIVE (1938). There are three postings of this title.
Video copies of 16mm film by Feature Films, Dec. 2008. Good video and audio.
EXTRA #2: MR. WONG IN CHINATOWN (1939). There is one posting of this title.
Video copy of 16mm film by Feature Films, Dec. 2008. Good video and audio.
Thank you! I checked it out and it IS a great resource. LOVED the inclusion of the Charlie Chan comics! Unfortunately, archive.org, like Youtube, does not offer "Behind That Curtain," our film for tomorrow's Chat/Film Viewing.
