The House on Punchbowl Hill



















 
 

Study
 
"Knowledge only gained
through curiosity."

 
 

"Welcome, dear visitor, to our humble 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.

 
 

APANA, Chang:

Chang Apana 05

"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 04

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

Chang Apana 03

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

Chang Apana 01

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

Chang Apana 08

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

Chang Apana 07

"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) (Contributed by Steven Fredrick)

Chang Apana 06

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

OBITUARY:

Chang Apana 02

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

 
 

BIGGERS, Earl Derr:

Earl Derr Biggers 10

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

Earl Derr Biggers 01

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

Earl Derr Biggers 02

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 03

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

Earl Derr Biggers 04

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

Biggers 09

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

OBITUARIES:

Earl Derr Biggers 05

"AUTHOR BIGGERS DIES FROM ILLS" (From: The Los Angeles Times, April 7, 1933)

Earl Derr Biggers 06

"EARL DERR BIGGERS," by Lee Shipley (From: The Los Angeles Times, April 7, 1933)

Earl Derr Bibbers 08

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

Earl Derr Biggers 07

"LAST RITES CONDUCTED FOR BIGGERS" (From: The Los Angeles Times, April 7, 1933)

 
 

CHAN, Charlie:

Charlie Chan 07

"CREATING CHARLIE CHAN," (From: The New York Times, March 22, 1931)

Charlie Chan 09

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

Charlie Chan 06

"Charlie Chan on Broadway," (From: Woman's Day, October 7, 1937)

Charlie Chan 04

"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 17

"Sub-Gumshoe" (From: Time, March 15, 1968)

Charlie Chan 03

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

Charlie Chan 12

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

Charlie Chan 11

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

Charlie Chan 02

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

Charlie Chan 05

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

Charlie Chan 13

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

Charlie Chan 01

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

Charlie Chan 10

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

Charlie Chan 16

"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)

Charlie Chan 17

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

Charlie Chan 08

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

Charlie Chan 14

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

Charlie Chan 18

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

 
 

CHAN MISCELLANEA:

Misc. 04

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

Misc. 05

"Charlie Tells 'Em" (From: The Honolulu Advertiser, October 17, 1967)

 
 

FILMS:

"Charlie Chan Carries On"

Charlie Chan Carries On

"The Black Camel"

The Black Camel

"Charlie Chan's Chance"

Charlie Chan's Chance

Films 04

Charlie Chan's Greatest Case: Charlie Chan mails out a post card advertising his latest film! (Postmarked: August 28, 1933)

Films 03

"Charlie Chan's Courage": An accurate adaptation of the "lost" Charlie Chan film, Charlie Chan's Courage, with illustrations. (From: Screen Romances, September 1934)

 
 

FILMS MISCELLANIA:

Misc. 29

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)

 
 

FONG, Benson:

Benson Fong 02

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

Benson Fong 05

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

Benson Fong 06

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

Misc. 02

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

Benson Fong 03

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)

OBITUARIES:

Benson Fong 01

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

Benson Fong 07

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

 
 

LUKE, Keye:

Misc. 02

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

Keye Luke 01

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

Keye Luke 02

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

Keye Luke 03

"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)

Keye Luke 04

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

Keye Luke 05

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

Keye Luke 06

"Flower Drum Song"  (From: Playbill, May 4, 1959/Volume 3, Number 18)

OBITUARY:

Keye Luke 08

"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)

 
 

MORELAND, Mantan:

Mantan Moreland 01

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

 
 

OLAND, Warner:

Warner Oland 06

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

Warner Oland 07

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

Warner Oland 12

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: The Los Angeles Times, February 4, 1934) (Contributed by Steve Rhodes)

Warner Oland 13

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

Warner Oland 18

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

Warner Oland 17

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

Warner Oland 01

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

Warner Oland 14

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

Warner Oland 02

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

Warner Oland 03

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

Warner Oland 19

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)

Warner Oland 15

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)

Warner Oland 09

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 10

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

Warner Oland 04

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

OBITUARIES:

Warner Oland 11

"Charlie Chan Is Dead" (From: The Tampa Daily News, August 6, 1938)

Warner Oland 16

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

Warner Oland 05

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

Warner Oland 08

"Warner Oland" (From: Variety, August 10, 1938)

 
 

TOLER, Sidney:

Sidney Toler 05

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

Sidney Toler 02

"'Chan' Will Carry On" (From: The Tampa Daily Times, November 7, 1938)

Sidney Toler 03

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

OBITUARIES:

Sidney Toler 04

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

Sidney Toler 06

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

Sidney Toler 01

"Sidney Toler" (From: Variety, February 19, 1947)

 
 

TOM, Layne, Jr.:

Layne Tom, Jr. 01

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

 
 

WINTERS, Roland:

Roland Winters 01

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

Roland Winters 02

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)

 
 

YUNG, Victor Sen:

Victor Sen Yung 01

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)

Misc. 02

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

 
 

CAST:

Misc. 12

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)

Misc. 01

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)

Misc. 26

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

Misc. 27

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

Misc. 28

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

Misc. 32

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

Misc. 07

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)

 
 

VIDEO:

Misc. 34

"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)

Misc. 08

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

Misc. 15

"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: New York Post Online Edition, June 13, 2006)

Misc. 09

"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)

Misc. 17

"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)

Misc. 16

"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)

Misc. 18

"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)

Misc. 21

"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)

Misc. 31

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

Misc. 33

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

 
 

MISCELLANEOUS:

Misc. 13

"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)

Misc. 06

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)

Misc. 03

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)

Misc. 10

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

Misc. 11

"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)

Misc. 14

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

Misc. 19

"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)

Misc. 20

"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)

Misc. 23

"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)

Misc. 24

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

Misc. 25

"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)

 
 
 

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