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Rating:  - Not epic classics but .....
In a word the Charlie Chan series of movies are FUN. The Warner Oland movies are a cut above the others. The often used (and often made up)Chinese proverbs quoted by Charlie provide a lot of humor. Even more humor is evident after Keye Luke was added. I found it interesting that several of the movies managed to work in some of the cutting edge technology of the day. i.e. The photocell timing at the race track, the FAX-like transmission of pictures. It is easy to see why the series was so popular in their day and remain so.
Rating: - Warner Oland's Charlie Chan with Great Special Features
Earl Derr Bigger's Charlie Chan was finally successfully brought to the screen by Warner Oland. This box set has Oland's 5th - 8th appearances as the detective. This set could be called Charlie Chan's world tour as he visits London, Paris, Cairo and Shanghai.
Like all detective serial movies, the plots are all different but they are all the same. Its just that Charlie has a classy way of doing things. He always does things with intelligence and style. Whether solving a case at an English country house, finding who has been forging bank bonds in Paris, who has been stealing the treasure from the tomb in Egypt or the murderer in Shanghai, Charlie / Warner always got his man.
But what makes this set special is are the special features. Three of the movies have featurettes about the origins of Charlie Chan and each is very interesting and gives great insight into the character.
The forth has a spanish language version of Charlie Chan Carries On. In the 30's the studios would make duplicate versions of movies for the foriegn markets, usually South America. These were made using the same sets as the English versions but with a Spanish cast. In this film they use a photo of Charlie's family but Oland is in the picture not the Spanish actor! (If you get Garbo's Anna Christie, it has the German version with Garbo but the rest of the cast replaced by German actors.)
These special features make this set better than just the films alone. Thanks for the extra content!!
Rating:  - Charlie's back!
I've always loved the old 30's, 40's & 50's mysteries especially Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto and Sherlock Holmes. This set starts Warner Oland which in my opinion is the better Charlie between himself and Sidney Toler. To my knowledge, Oland made twelve Chan films and Toler made six. Set #1 includes CC in London, CC in Paris, CC in Egypt and CC in Shanghai. Each film has been beautifully restored and have never appeared any better. It's as if they were filmed yesterday. A must see! I own set #2 and Chantology starring Sidney Toler and featuring his six Chan films. I loved them all. Set #3 with Oland is set for release in August 2007 and includes 5 more feature films plus many extras.
Rating: - METICULOUS
Millions went into the restoration of these 70+ year old movies and the quality shows. My only complaint is 4 movies for 60 bucks. FOX could have put Vol 1 and 2 into one set perhaps with a lesser expensive packaging considering none of these movies run more than a little more than 70 minutes each. FOX did include some featurettes and trailers but the packaging offers little details into the movies (though each come in their own case). These short movies are intricately plotted and very easy to get hooked on and must be carefully watched for the subtle clues, otherwise you'll never solve the case watching these great flix. Charlie Chan was one of the most famous fictional non-caucasion sleuths and very popular during an era of distrust for the occidental ethnic group. Yet the movies always treated him very respectively (although there are a few ethic slaps here and there). The price is well worth it for the fan, but I found it far too expensive. I suppose with the money that FOX put out to restore these classic who-done-its, had to make up their costs. Vol I. is a companion set and CHANTHOLOGY is not the best of the WWII films with Sidney Toler. If you are not familiar with this marvelous character start out with Vol. 1. then 2 and look for the others before purchasing the Sidney Toler Chan movies. The transfers are superior, as is the sound quality. Pricey, but worth it or collectors.
Rating: - charlie chan collection vol 1
whats not to like about charlie chan always was a fan and now i can own and watch them any time i please
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