The Charlie Chan Collection includes Dark Alibi, Dangerous Money, The Trap, and The Chinese Ring from 1946 and 1947. I know the Charlie Chan films fell out of favor for years, victims of political correctness and charges of racism. I’m glad these films are being released so a new generation can judge them. These four films have never been on DVD before. If you’re a Charlie Chan fan, you can find almost all the movies on DVD. The only two not available yet are Chinatown and The Red Dragon. You can find this set at Sam’s Club or BJ’s Warehouse for about $25.
I sure did like them as a kid but have never revisited. TCM doesn’t show them I guess.
TCM seems to show the Charlie Chan movies in the dead of the night, Patti. But now we have these great DVDs!
Some of the later Tolers were pretty bad; only the comic relief made them at all watchable. But the earlier ones and the Olands were fun. Jackie was always a huge Charlie Chan fan and we have most of them on videotape, which we never watch these days. I suppose I should look for the DVDs.
Art Scott has an impressive Charlie Chan DVD collection, Jeff.
I saw most of these in at revival theaters 20 years ago and they were all fun, but I’m finding them less enthralling on the home screen. I suspect the old theater functioned as a time machine, transporting me back to the 30s.
I’ve found the Charlie Chan movies vary in quality, Evan. But this set is diverting.
I have seen a few on TCM – quite a while ago – that I enjoyed, but the couple that I rented on DVD were pretty awful. I can’t remember titles, unfortunately, but I suspect the rentals were some of those Jeff referred to. I’d have preferred less slapstick and more crime solving. The novel I read, HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY was quite enjoyable. Maybe it’s time for me to read another.
I found the Earl Derr Biggers’ enjoyable, Rick. The Charlie Chan movies, the majority of which were shot over more than a decade with varying cast members, lack consistent quality.