Our Monday Night Chat/Film Viewing: "Mr. Moto's Gamble"
“Confucius say, ‘No man is poor who have worthy son.’” – Charlie Chan (“Charlie Chan at the Race Track”)
Charlie Chan’s Number One Son is taking a criminology class that is being taught by none other than Mr. Moto. With his famous Pop busy elsewhere, Lee Chan teams up with Mr. Moto in a deadly game of prize-fighting and murder! Please join us as we watch “Mr. Moto’s Gamble,” starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto and featuring Keye Luke as Lee Chan, in the film that was to have been “Charlie Chan at the Ringside.”
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…this week’s film, “Mr. Moto’s Gamble,” IS available at Daily Motion, although it must be viewed in TWO PARTS! Here is the address:
FILM NOTES: “Mr. Moto’s Gamble” began shooting as “Charlie Chan at the Ringside” on January 10, 1938. During the first week of filming, Warner Oland’s behavior became more and more erratic. Suddenly, on January 17, Oland left the set, never to return. As the actor, who reportedly had suffered something of a nervous breakdown, improved health-wise, 20th Century-Fox threatened a lawsuit to recover their financial losses incurred by the scrapped project. It was eventually decided to salvage the footage that had been shot without Warner Oland, retooling the film as a Mr. Moto adventure – “Mr. Moto’s Gamble.” The resulting movie can be noted to have a distinctive Chan-like nature, complete with Peter Lorre stating aphorisms that were most certainly meant for Oland’s lips. Also, we note Harold Huber in a role that is VERY reminiscent of Inspector Nelson in “Charlie Chan on Broadway.”
THIS WEEK’S FILM STILL: Sorry…none this week!
NEXT WEEK (May 5) we will be sharing “Charlie Chan in Honolulu” starring Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan and featuring Sen Yung (Victor Sen Yung) as Number Two son, Jimmy Chan!
WARNER OLAND SCRAP BOOK: It was through great good fortune for me to come across a very meticulously accumulated collection of newspaper and magazine articles and trade paper items dating from 1916 until 1932, all housed within an old scrap book. This was compiled by someone who was EXTREMELY devoted to Warner Oland; a family member, perhaps? Presently, I am beginning the very lengthy process of scanning each page, as well as loose items that were placed between pages. Eventually this item will be on view in its entirety at our Charlie Chan family Home for all to see and enjoy. This project continues to move forward. Progress continues on this project as we move forward toward eventual placement at www.charliechan.info.
“THE RETURN OF CHARLIE CHAN” ON DVD: If you are interested in purchasing a clear, clean copy of “The Return of Charlie Chan” (Universal – 1971) a made-for-TV movie starring Ross Martin as Charlie Chan, I can recommend a version which you will find at: http://www.ioffer.com/i/the-return-of-charlie-chan-ross-martin-dvd-504052734. It lists for $14.99 which includes postage/handling. However, you may make a lower offer!
AND… Please check out the new comic series, “Chinatown Cop,” based on the life of HPD Detective Chang Apana at: www.chinatowncop.com.
Please take care, have a pleasant Monday, and let’s all get together for another Chan-filled evening of fun and sharing as we watch “Mr. Moto’ Gamble.”
