“Distance no hindrance to fond thoughts." (“Charlie Chan in Shanghai”)

Summer is upon us, and it is time for family, friends, and, often, travel! The latter is what I will be experiencing with my family for the next two weeks as we take a break together. So, for the next two Monday nights – possibly three, our own Godwinshelley (GS) will take the helm. Circumstances permitting, I will try to pop in during one of our chat sessions.

Our films for the next three weeks will be: “Murder Over New York” (June 29), “Dead Men Tell” (July 6), and “Charlie Chan in Rio” (July 13).

In “Murder Over New York” we have Number Two Son, Jimmy, who is in New York City to see the World’s Fair (having already visited the West Coast World’s Fair at Treasure Island in San Francisco, “unexpectedly” meeting his famous Pop in New York City. As the title implies, father and son are soon involved in another murder case that is made very complicated with the addition of international espionage and an elusive killer!

“Dead Men Tell” offers another sojourn in the realm of the supernatural…or is it? Can Charlie Chan and son, Jimmy, solve the riddle of the ghost of Black Hook the pirate? Aboard an old sailing ship which is preparing to weigh anchor to sail to the mysterious Cocos Island, a group of treasure hunters, each possessing a piece of a pirate treasure map, become partners in death, as the spirit of Black Hook looms ominously between the adventurers and $60 million in buried gold – that would be nearly a BILLION today!!

Finally, we have “Charlie Chan in Rio.” In this loose adaptation (a “remake”) of “The Black Camel,” Chan and son, Jimmy, travel all the way to the tropical city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to apprehend a suspected killer who committed murder in Honolulu. What at first seems to be a straightforward case soon becomes a complex web of dark mystery with yet more killings!

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).

FILM NOTES:

“Murder Over New York”: The working title of this film was Charlie Chan in New York. According to Fox publicity material contained in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Library files, the studio changed the title in order to prevent the public from confusing this film with other Chan features. Trivia: Which film in the Charlie Chan series provides the basis for the basic plot of “Murder Over New York”? HINT: It was an Oland picture.

“Dead Men Tell”: According to ‘Hollywood Reporter’ news items, Jean Rogers was to have appeared in this film as Laura Thursday, but was replaced after shooting began by Katherine Aldridge when she became ill with the flu. ‘Hollywood Reporter’ production charts include Faye Helm in the cast, but her participation in the completed film has not been confirmed. Trivia: What famous movie actress does Gertie the parrot briefly mimic?

“Charlie Chan in Rio”: Although Ted North's character is called "Carlos Dantas" in the film's onscreen credits and in reviews, in the picture he is called "Clark Denton." According to ‘Hollywood Review’ news items, Virgil Miller was originally assigned as the photographer on this film, but was replaced by Joseph P. MacDonald, who was promoted after serving as an operative cameraman with Twentieth Century-Fox for eight years. An April 30, 1941 ‘Hollywood Reporter’ news item noted that Jeanne Kelly had been loaned by Universal to appear in the next Charlie Chan film, and, while it was presumably this picture, her participation has not been confirmed. “Charlie Chan in Rio” bears a striking resemblance to “The Black Camel,” directed ten years earlier by Hamilton MacFadden, who appears in the cast of “Rio.” It is perhaps of interest to note that MacFadden also appeared briefly in “The Black Camel,” and he also had a minor role in “Charlie Chan in Reno” (1939). Trivia: What was the name of the character played (briefly!) by Hamilton MacFadden in “The Black Camel,” the “sister” film to “Charlie Chan in Rio”?

EVEN IF you cannot access a copy of the above-noted films, please do join us anyway, as you will NOT be left out of our ongoing chat and festivities. Also, as is our custom, new comers 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…the films for the next three weeks can be found at YouTube! “Murder Over New York” is available at YouTube at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW5mdwOojJA

“Dead Men Tell”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z_hGS_Ae5A

“Charlie Chan in Rio”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brrgSthtdtE

May the opening weeks of summer be happy, safe, and restful for everyone! And let’s all get together for more Chan-filled evenings of fun and sharing as we view the thjree fine pictures mentioned above! I thank ALL of you…so much!

Sincerely,
Rush Glick

My work hours are finally changing, so I'm going to start to have Monday evenings free. I hope to be able to join in on the viewing of CHARLIE CHAN IN RIO.