“Always danger where men are evil, but knowledge best weapon for protection.” (Charlie Chan - “Charlie Chan’s Courage”)

As we move onward on our journey through the entire Charlie Chan series, may we take a moment to pause in sadness for the people of Paris and for those who were killed or injured during the horrible events that occurred there…

Our Monday Evening Chat and Film Viewing will feature “Docks of New Orleans,” starring Roland Winters and featuring Victor Sen Yung, as Number Two son, Tommy, and Mantan Moreland as Birmingham Brown. We will also be commemorating the birthday of Roland Winters who was born on November 22, 1904.

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).

SUMMARY:
Simon Lafontanne, head of a chemical company, goes to consult Charlie Chan who is staying in New Orleans along with his number two son, Tommy, and his chauffeur and assistant, Birmingham Brown. Lafontanne suspects that he has an enemy who is having him followed everywhere he goes. Chan agrees to investigate further just before Lafontanne is nearly kidnapped in front of the detective's resodence. The next morning, a pair of Lafontanne's business partners pressure him to sign a clause that has been added to their business agreement whereby, in the event of the death of any of the principals, his share of the profits will go to the remaining partners. A short time later, Lafontanne is found dead in his office, apparently of a heart attack, but Charlie Chan believes otherwise.

THE FACTS:
Monogram Pictures Corporation
Distributed: Monogram Pictures Corporation, March 21, 1948
Production: November 17 to November 25, 1947
Copyright: Monogram Pictures Corporation, March 21, 1948; LP1610
Sound: Western Electric Recording
Film: Black and white
Length: 7 reels, 5,802 feet
Running Time: 64 minutes
Production Code Administration Certificate Number: 12895
Source: Based on the character created by Earl Derr Biggers

Producer: James S. Burkett
Director: Derwin Abrahams
Assistant Director: Theodore Joos
Original Screenplay: W. Scott Darling
Photography: William Sickner
Camera Operator: John Martin (not credited)
Stills: Jim Fullerton
Supervising Film Editor: Otho Lovering
Editor: Ace Herman
Set Decorations: Ken Schwartz (not credited)
Musical Director: Edward J. Kay
Recording: Tom Lambert
Hair Stylist: Lela Chambers (not credited)
Production Supervisor: Glenn Cook
Technical Director: Dave Milton
Screenplay Supervisor: Mary Chaffee
Grip: George Booker (not credited)


CAST:

Roland Winters: Charlie Chan
Virginia Dale: Rene Blanchette
Mantan Moreland: Birmingham Brown
John Gallaudet: Captain Pete McNally
Victor Sen Young: Tommy Chan
Carol Forman: Nita Aguirre (alias Countess Allemand)
Douglas Fowley: Grock
Harry Hayden: Oscar Swendstrom
Howard Negley: Andre Pareaux (alias Mr. Fernand)
Stanley Andrews: Theodore Von Scherbe
Emmett Vogan: Henri Castanaro
Boyd Irwin: Simon Lafontanne
Rory Mallinson: Thompson
George J. Lewis: Sergeant Dansiger
Dian Fauntelle: Mrs. Swendstrom (not credited)
Ferris Taylor: Dr. Dooble, Coroner (not credited)
Haywood Jones: Mobile Jones (not credited)
Eric Wilton: Watkins (not credited)
Forrest Matthews: Detective (not credited)
Wally Walker: Chauffeur (not credited)
Larry Steers: Doctor (not credited)
Paul Conrad: Man from D.A.'s Office (not credited)
Frank Stephens: Sergeant (not credited)
Fred Miller: Armed Guard (not credited)
Charlie Jordan: Fingerprint Expert (not credited)

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 entries, may be found available for viewing online through such outlets as YouTube, etc.

HAPPY NEWS…this week’s film, “Docks of New Orleans,” is available (in two parts, at DailyMotion:
PART ONE: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv36iz_chan-docks-of-new-orleans-part-1_shortfilms
PART TWO: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv3716_chan-docks-of-new-orleans-part-2_shortfilms

NEXT WEEK (Monday, November 23) we will be sharing “Mr. Wong, Detective,” starring Boris Karloff as San Francisco-based detective, James Lee Wong. This film provided the plot for this week’s Charlie Chan mystery, “Docks of New Orleans.” This viewing will give us the opportunity to compare the two versions. This will also be a celebration Mr. Karloff’s birthday, as well, who was born on November 23, 1887.

So, everyone be safe on this Monday, and let’s gather again for another evening of Charlie Chan…and a needed dose of…fun…

Sincerely,
Rush Glick