Study

You are now in the Study of our humble House on Punchbowl Hill. Welcome. In this room, you will find a growing collection of information relating to detective Charlie Chan. As more items of interest are gathered, they will be presented here for your knowledge and enjoyment. We have arranged our material in several general categories below. To access each item, please click on the adjacent hat.

"CHARLIE CHAN AT IT AGAIN" Chang Apana, the inspiration for Chatlie Chan, visits the filming of The Black Camel. (From: The New York Times, July 21, 1931) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

"Chang Apana Carries On," by Earl Derr Biggers (From: Fox Film Pressbook for Charlie Chan's Chance, circa January 1932)

A copy of the Special Order, dated July 2, 1932 and signed by the Chief of Police of the Honolulu Police Department, officially noting Detective Chang Apana's departure from the department.

"The 'Real Life' Charlie Chan" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Hawaiian Life Weekend Magazine, Saturday, March 19, 1955)

"Charlie Chan and the Case of the Cop Who Inspired Him," by Patrick Williams (From: APBnews.com, April 25, 2000)

"Chang Apana The Real Life Charlie Chan" (From: Hawaiian Historical Society, Number 132, April 2007) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"HAWAIIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE PROGRAM: Chang Apana: The Real Life Charlie Chan presented by Nanette Napoleon and Officer Eddie Croom" (From: Hawaiian Historical Society, undated, April 2007, press release) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"Let the truth be known about the real-life Charlie Chan," by Loren Moreno (From: The Honolulu Advertiser, April 25, 2007) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"Black Camel Kneels At Home of Chang Apana" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Saturday, December 9, 1933)

Earl Derr Biggers' photograph and informational notes from the 1907 Harvard Class Album.

"House Without A Key a Myth, Author Reveals" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 7, 1928) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

A photographic copy of a letter written by Earl Derr Biggers to "Mr. Speyers" (an executive at Fox Films?) (Dated: February 13, 1931) (Contributed by Gene Lue)

Earl Derr Biggers' reply to a letter from a fan of his Charlie Chan stories (Dated: May 3, 1931)

"Earl Derr Biggers" (From: Harvard College Class of 1907 Twenty-fifth Anniversary Report, June 1932)

"CHARLIE CHAN CREATOR REPORTED GRAVELY ILL" (From: Los Angeles Times, March 31, 1933)

"CHARLIE CHAN'S POPPA: The Life of Earl Derr Biggers," by Barbara Gregorich (From: Timeline, a publication of the Ohio Historical Society, Volume 16, Number 1, January-February 1999)

"EARL DERR BIGGERS - Brief life of a popular author:1884-1933," by Barbara Gregorich (From: Harvard Magazine, March-April 2000)

"EARL DERR BIGGERS DIES IN WEST AT 48" (From: The New York Times, April 6, 1933)

"Charlie Chan's Chinese Proverbs" (From: Charlie Chan's Chinese Proverbs, American Radio Features Syndicate, 1935)

A letter from "Charlie Chan" via the Honolulu Police Department. (Dated: May 26, 1936)

"Charlie Chan in Hollywood," by Edward Connor (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Hawaiian Life Weekend Magazine, Saturday, March 19, 1955; originally appearing in Films in Review, January 1955)

"Charlie Chan," by Leonard Maltin (From: Film Fan Monthly, Number 82, April 1968)

"Charlie Chan Quotations Published," by Rick Du Brow (From: Eugene Register-Guard, October 9, 1968) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"The Chan dynasty marches on," by Richard S. Lochte II (From: Panorama - Chicago Daily News, October 19, 1968)

"WHAT'S YOUR PLAN, CHARLIE CHAN?," by Ron Goulart (From: Nostalgia Illustrated, July 1975)

"CHARLIE CHAN BACK WEARING A USTINOV MASK," by Vincent Canby (From: The New York Times, Friday, February 13, 1981)

"Charlie Chan's Number One Movie," by Jim Stringham (From: Cliffhanger, Number 21, May 1995)

"Charlie Chan," by Jack French (From: NARA News, Volume 8, Number 2 [circa 1997])

"China Syndrome - AMC Unscrolls 21 Charlie Chan Movies!" by Angelo Ragaza (From: American Movie Classics Magazine, November 1997)

"The Bourgeois Detective," by S.T. Karnick (From: The Weekly Standard, December 31, 2001/January 7, 2002)

"The Who's Who of Charlie Chan's Family," by Howard M. Berlin (From: Classic Images, Number 339, September 2003)

"Charlie Chan at the Technological Cutting Edge" by Rush Glick (From: The Circuit, a publication of the Computer Museum of America, Fall 2003 (Volume 2, Issue 4)

"THE GREAT CHAN BAN," by Ken Hanke. An analysis and opinion of Charlie Chan. (From: Scarlet Street, Number 50 (2004)

"Charlie Chan and the Politically Correct Mafia," by Jerry Della Femina (From: Jewish World Review, April 30, 2004)

"Charlie Chan: A Hero of Sorts," by Fletcher Chan. An analysis and opinion of Charlie Chan. (From: California Literary Review [calitreview.com], September 18, 2006)

"Charlie Chan in China" (From: The Chinese Mirror, May 2008) (Contributed by Don Marion)

"Mystery of Charlie Chan: Fictional detective follows trail of clues from Akron" (From: Ohio.com [Akron Beacon Journal], May 5, 2008)

"THE RETURN OF CHARLIE CHAN," by Burl Burlingame (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 11, 2009) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"Original novels put Chan back in perspective," review by Burl Burlingame (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 11, 2009) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

A trade advertisement for The Chinese Parrot, directed by Paul Leni. Prominant in the advertisement is Anna May Wong, who was featured in the film. (From: Universal Weekly, September 17, 1927)

Twentieth Century-Fox Employee's Personnel Statement filled out and signed by the actor. (Dated: October 12, 1943)

"Chinese Actor In Demand for Films." An article from publicity material for The Shanghai Cobra. (September 1945)

"CHINESE-SWEDISH." An article from publicity material for The Shanghai Cobra. (September 1945)

"SOCIETY HONORS PIONEER CHINESE-AMERICAN ACTORS," by Mary and Chuck Yee (From: Gum Saan Journal, December 1977) (Contributed by Virginia Quin Kay)

A match book from Ah Fong's Restaurants, Benson Fong's chain of four Cantonese food restaurants in the Los Angeles area. (Contributed by Virginia Quin Kay)

"Benson Fong, Character Actor and Founder of Cafes, Dies," by Penelope McMillan (From: Los Angeles Times, August 3, 1987)

"Benson Fong Is Dead at 70; Was in Film and TV 40 Years" (From: The New York Times, August 4, 1987)

"Benson Fong is dead at 70" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, August 4, 1987) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"ROMANCE WEAVES AURA AROUND WORK OF YOUNG CHINESE-AMERICAN ARTIST - Astonishing Drawings May Prove Departure Point for Meeting of Divergent Caucasian and Asiatic Art Views," by Arthur Miller (From: Los Angeles Times, December 16, 1928)

"Portrait Keye Luke," by Harriet Parsons (From: Los Angeles Examiner, May 4, 1944)

"TV Rescued Keye Luke From Chan Stereotype," by Rex Polier (From: Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, June 20, 1972)

"SOCIETY HONORS PIONEER CHINESE-AMERICAN ACTORS," by Mary and Chuck Yee (From: Gum Saan Journal, December 1977) (Contributed by Virginia Quin Kay)

The text of an interview conducted for Canadian television (TV Ontario) in Hollywood, California. (circa 1985)

"'CHARLIE CHAN' FILM VET STILL WAITING FOR EASTERN ACTORS TO RISE IN HOLLYWOOD" (From: Chicago Tribune, May 9, 1985)

"An Interview with KEYE LUKE: A Man of Considerable Character(s)," an interview by Jan Alan Henderson (From: Filmfax, Number 18, January 1990)

"KEYE TO THE MYSTERY: KEYE LUKE," an interview by Joe Collura (From: Scarlet Street, Number 28, May-June 1998)

"Keye Luke, Actor, Is Dead at 86; 'No. 1 Son' and 'Kung Fu' Master," by Peter B. Flint (From: The New York Times, January 16, 1991)

"Colored Comedian Is No Duster," an article from publicity material for The Shanghai Cobra. (September 1945)

"MORELAND, ACTOR IS DEAD AT 72," (From: The New York Times, September 29, 1973)

A four-page handwritten letter sent by Warner Oland to a colleague. (Dated: March 2, 1909)

Warner Oland's application for membership in the Masquers Club. (Dated: August 1, 1925)

From: "PICTURES AND PLAYERS IN HOLLYWOOD" A news/gossip item suggesting that Warner Oland was to have been replaced by Walter Connoly as Charlie Chan. (From: Los Angeles Times, February 4, 1934) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

From: "NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM THE GOLD COAST" A news/gossip item about Charlie Chan and Warner Oland. (From: Los Angeles Times, November 25, 1934) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

An advertisement for Old Gold cigarettes featuring Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. (From: Tampa Daily Times, February 6, 1935)

A telegram from Warner Oland congratulating the Krim brothers on the opening of the Greater Harmony Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. (Dated: October 3, 1935)

"Charlie Chan Of Screen Due Here" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 21, 1936) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"Lost Suspenders Baffle Charlie Chan Of Screen" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 26, 1936) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"Charlie Chan in Person," by Madeline Glass (From: Picture Play, August 1936)

"Warner Oland To Make Many More Detective Films" (From: Port Arthur Daily News, January 24, 1937) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

"Charlie Chan at the Interviewer's," by Faith Service (From: Modern Screen, July 1937)

"Charlie Chan Reveals Warner Oland, The Intellectual Behind The Mask Of The Great Detective," by Ruth Rankin (From: Silver Screen, July 1937)

An image of Warner Oland and his schnauser from a photo spread entitled "SPEAKING OF PICTURES...PEOPLE LOOK LIKE THEIR PETS." (From: Life, November 8, 1937)

A lithograph of a drawing by Henry Major of Warner Oland, with a caption by humorist "Bugs" Baer. (Date: 1938)

A note about Warner Oland's next Charlie Chan film, Charlie Chan on the Clipper Ship (From: The New York Times, March 13, 1938) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

A postcard dated July 10, 1938 - less than a month before the actor's passing - mailed to a friend while traveling through Europe. (Contributed by Stephan Bates)

"WARNER OLAND MASTER OF MENACE AND MYSTERY," by David K. Bowman (From: Scarlet Street, #28, May-June 1998)

"WARNER OLAND, 57, SCREEN STAR, DIES," by Steve Rhodes (2003) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

"WARNER OLAND," by Charles Stumpf (From: Classic Images, Number 348, June 2004)

"'Charlie Chan' Of the Movies Dies In Sweden" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, August 6, 1938) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"WARNER OLAND, 57, SCREEN STAR, DIES" (From: The New York Times, Sunday, August 7, 1938)

The cast list from the program for the play "Tommy," which included Sidney Toler. (From: National Theatre, March 12, 1928)

"MISSOURI MAN FOLLOWS SWEDE IN 'CHAN' ROLE" (From: Sunday Magazine, Des Moines Sunday Register, December 11, 1938)

"Kansas' Charlie Chan," by Beccy Tanner (From: The Wichita Eagle, October 25, 1990)

"Sidney Toler, Charley Chan of Movies, Dies" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 12, 1947) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

"SIDNEY TOLER DIES; FILM CHARLIE CHAN" (From: The New York Times, February 13, 1947)

"CROSSROAD IN CAREERS' CHOICE LEADS TO SMOOTH SAILING INTO HUNTINGTON HARBOUR" (From: unknown publication, circa 1964) (Contributed by Virginia Quin Kay)

"CHARLIE CHANS, PAST AND PRESENT," by Ken Hanke (From: The New York Times, June 29, 1947)

"THE CASE CHARLIE CHAN LOST!," interview and story by Sam Sherman (From: Screen Thrills, October 1963)

"Reassessing the Last Charlie Chan Roland Winters," by Ken Hanke (From: Filmfax, Number 18, January 1990)

A short letter written in May 2002 by actress Elena Verdugo, which includes some of her thoughts on the actor who played Charlie Chan in six films. (Contributed by Virginia Johnson)

A newspaper article describing how Victor Sen Yung was wounded during an attempted airline hijacking. (From: The New York Times, July 6, 1973) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

"SOCIETY HONORS PIONEER CHINESE-AMERICAN ACTORS," by Mary and Chuck Yee (From: Gum Saan Journal, December 1977) (Contributed by Virginia Quin Kay)

"Murder Report Denied" (From: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, November 11, 1980) (Courtesy of Steven Fredrick Collection)

THOMAS BECK: "THOMAS BECK ON CHARLIE CHAN AND MR. MOTO," an excerpted inferview, conducted in 1993, with Thomas Beck, who appeared in four Charlie Chan films. (From: Scarlet Street #28, May-June 1998)

HAROLD HUBER: A short letter written in August 2002 by actress Kay Linaker, shedding welcome light on the actor who appeared in four Charlie Chan films. (Contributed by Virginia Johnson)

HAROLD HUBER: "MEET THE STARS," by Vic Boesen. (From The Fresno Bee, December 7, 1941) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

HAROLD HUBER: "Harrison in Hollywood," by Paul Harrison. (From The Helena Independent, November 14, 1941) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

HAROLD HUBER: "DEBUNKING A LEGENDARY 'TOUGH GUY,'" by John R. Franchy. (From The New York Times, March 1, 1942) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

KAY LINAKER: "Yesteryear’s Hollywood great visiting Tillsonburg," by Jeff Helsden. (From The Tillsonburg News (Online edition), July 4, 2007) (Contributed by Steve Owens)

GERALD MOHR (Dr. Zodiac in Charlie Chan at Treasure Island): A short letter written on July 29, 2002 by actress Kay Linaker, who mentions that it was Gerald Mohr who played and was the voice of Dr. Zodiac in "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island." (Contributed by Virginia Johnson)

"CHARLIE CHAN FOR RENT": "A survey of the films of this most popular of Oriental detectives - created by Earl Derr Biggers in 1925 - which are now available on videocassette." (From: The Armchair Detective, Fall 1989/Volume 22, Number 4)

"CHARLIE CHAN CHANTHOLOGY": A review by Ian Jane of the six-film DVD set released by MGM Home Entertainment. (From: DVD Talk, June 2004)

"THE CHARLIE CHAN CHANTHOLOGY": A review by Jason Perez of the six-film DVD set released by MGM Home Entertainment. (From: Home Theater Forum, June 17, 2004)

"ANOTHER CHAN-CE: ASIAN DETECTIVE ON DVD": An article about the Charlie Chan DVD release from 20th Century-Fox, Charlie Chan Collection, Volume 1. (From: The New York Post Online Edition, June 13, 2006)

"NEW DVD'S: CHARLIE CHAN": A review of the Charlie Chan DVD release from 20th Century-Fox, Charlie Chan Collection, Volume 1. (From: The New York Times, June 20, 2006)

"DETECTIVE STORIES": A review of the Charlie Chan DVD release from 20th Century-Fox, Charlie Chan Collection, Volume 1. (From: Entertainment Weekly, June 23, 2006)

"CHARLIE CHAN COLLECTION, VOL. 1": A lengthy review of the Charlie Chan DVD release from 20th Century-Fox, Charlie Chan Collection, Volume 1. (From: DVD Talk, June 23, 2006)

"THE BUSINESS END OF ETHNIC POLITICS - Charlie Chan, canned, when they can": Despite recent DVD releases of Charlie Chan films, corporations, such as 20th Century-Fox, still seem to fear ethnic pressure groups. (From: National Review Online, July 25, 2006)

"Fox's Charlie Chan on DVD - Finally!": By Dr. Howard M. Berlin (From: Classic Images, Issue #383, May 2007

"An Interview With John Cork Producer of the Charlie Chan DVD Featurettes": By Dr. Howard M. Berlin (From: Classic Images, Issue #384, June 2007)

"HAWAII STEVE'S DVD REVIEW": A review by Steven Fredrick of The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan and The Return of Charlie Chan. (July 3, 2009) (Contributed by Steven Fredrick)

"Beyond Charlie Chan: The Principal Chan Actors in Non-Chan Movies": A review by Steven Fredrick of Charlie Chan actors, including Benson Fong, Keye Luke, Mantan Moreland, Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, Roland Winters, and Victor Sen Yung, in "non-Chan" roles. (August 12, 2009) (Contributed by Steven Fredrick)

"UNUSUAL CAT IN FOX FILM": An article about the cat, "Puzzums," who saved Charlie Chan's life in "Charlie Chan's Chance." (From: Fox Film Pressbook for Charlie Chan's Chance, circa January 1932)

"BROMBERG MENTIONED FOR CHAN ROLE": Less than a week after the passing of Warner Oland, this article appeared, stating that actor J. Edward Bromberg was being considered to carry on the role of Charlie Chan. (From: The Oakland Tribune, August 10, 1938) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

ALFRED ANDRIOLA (Charlie Chan newspaper comic strip artist, 1938-42): A typewritten, signed letter written to a fan of his Charlie Chan comic strip. (Dated: November 28, 1938)

"THE 6 CHARLIE CHANS": "THE 6 CHARLIE CHANS - Only Non-Chinese Portrayed the Screen's Most Often Used Detective" (From: Films in Review, January 1955)

"MEET CHARLIE CHAN NO. 4": An article on "The New Adventures of Charlie Chan," a TV series starring J. Caroll Naish which aired during the 1957-8 television season. (From: TV Guide, February 1-7, 1958)

"Jack Benny Named in Suit": An article concerning a lawsuit filed by Elanor Biggers Cole (the wife of Earl Derr Biggers) for copyright infringement. (From: Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, October 26, 1966) (Courtesy Steven Fredrick Collection)

"CHARLIE CHAN AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART": A pamphlet from the March 4-17, 1968 showings of 21 Charlie Chan films at the Museum of Modern art in New York City. (Contributed by Gene Lue)

"COLLECTING Mystery Fiction": An article which focuses on the collecting of Charlie Chan books. (From: The Armchair Detective, Volume 15, Number 2, 1982)

CHARLIE CHAN AND OTHER 20TH CENTURY-FOX SERIES: "Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto and all the other little Foxes" by Don Miller (From: The New Captain George's Whizzbang, Issue #12/Volume 2, Number 6, May 1995)

"CHARLIE CHAN, ACTION HERO? REMAKE PROMISES NON-STEREOTYPICAL, BUFF, HIP DETECTIVE ": An article about a proposed film that had been planned as a Charlie Chan "remake." (From: The New York Times, January 12, 1997)

"MEMPHIS 2004 REMEMBERS CHARLIE CHAN": By Dr. Howard M. Berlin (From: Classic Images, Issue #351, September 2004)

"LUCY LIU JOINS THE CHAN CLAN": Actress/director Lucy Liu's proposed "update" of the Charlie Chan series. (From: iVillage, January 2006)