82 years ago, on April 4th, the Fox Film Company began shooting the Earl Derr Biggers' novel "The Black Camel" on the island of Oahu, in Hawaii.
The first day of filming was at Kailua Beach and featured Dorothy Revier (as Hollywood movie star Shelah Fane) and Melvin Paoa, the 16-year-old Hawaiian beach boy. Making his film debut was a 24-year-old actor by the name of Robert Young (as publicity director Jimmy Bradshaw). Mr. Young would go on to appear in two successful TV series. Can you name them?
There's nobody alive from the cast and crew of "The Black Camel". Even Melvin Paoa, the young beach boy has passed away. Among the cast and crew, Mr. Young lived the longest. He passed away in Westlake Village, California, on July 21, 1998, at the age of 91.
IMPORTANT DATES CONCERNING THE FILMING OF "THE BLACK CAMEL" ON OAHU.
Friday, April 3: The cast and crew of "The Black Camel" arrive on Oahu, via the SS City of Los Angeles steamship.
Saturday, April 4th: First day of filming at Kailua Beach.
Sunday, April 5th: First day of filming at Waikiki Beach. Yes, they worked on Easter Sunday.
Sunday, April 5th: First day of filming scenes with Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. This was Mr. Oland's first public appearance as Inspector Chan. When he stepped out onto Waikiki Beach as Chan, Mr. Oland was mobbed by a large group of fans. In April 1931, Oahu residents loved their Charlie Chan.
Thank you so much. (It's also the first time this phrase was said by Charlie Chan in a movie.)
