TONIGHT'S Monday Evening Chat/Film Viewing: "Charlie Chan in City in Darkness"
As we have reached Memorial Day, remembering those who have served and, when called upon, have given all for their country, we continue our group journey through the entire Charlie Chan film series proper. Out film for this week’s Monday Evening Chat and Film Viewing will feature “Charlie Chan in City in Darkness.” Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) is in Paris, minus Number Two Son, Jimmy, as he and other veterans of the Intelligence Service gather to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the end of what was then called The Great War. Events, however, are rapidly setting the world’s stage for another conflict, and the City of Light is plunged into blackouts. It is not long before Mr. Chan is called upon to help solve a murder committed in the midst of foreign intrigue.
NOTES: This film, which had a working title matching the final title of “Charlie Chan in City in Darkness.” This movie has a number of real-life connections to what is now world history. Filming began on July 6, 1939 and under normal circumstances would have been completed by 20th Century-Fox in about a month. However, world events didn’t leave much room for “normal circumstances,” and it is not unreasonable, I feel, to conjecture that Charlie Chan’s prophetic statement at the end of “Charlie Chan in City in Darkness” was added following regular production. The picture opened at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on November 15, 1939, opening elsewhere on December 1.
So, please join us in our Chat Room which is located at our Charlie Chan Family Home: www.charliechan.info, and use any of the “Chat Room” links to join us. We begin with arrivals and greetings at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and we roll our personal copies of our film exactly 15 minutes later (8:15).
Even if you cannot access a copy of the above-noted film, please do join us anyway, as you will NOT be left out of our ongoing chat and festivities. Also, as is our custom, newcomers are offered the seat of honor at our humble table. (Many of our films, such as this week’s entry, may be found available for viewing online through such outlets as YouTube, etc. HAPPY NEWS! A check at YouTube reveals that “Charlie Chan in City in Darkness” IS available online at YouTube for viewing.)
Thank you so much, and let’s meet for yet another fun Monday evening as we gather to watch “Charlie Chan in City in Darkness.”
