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Amazon.co.uk Review
Though the Charlie Chan film franchise has earned brickbats for its casting of Caucasian actors as the Asian sleuth, the movies have retained popularity among aficionados of '40s-era B-crime pictures, and the six-disc Charlie Chan Chanthology, all featuring Sidney Toler as Chan, should please that crowd. The Missouri-born Toler starred in 11 Chan pictures for Fox before purchasing the rights to the character from creator Earl Derr Biggers's widow and bringing it to budget studio Monogram, where he starred in 11 more Chans before his death in 1947 (Roland Winters replaced him in six more features until 1949). At Monogram, Chan became a Secret Service Agent (a move calculated to cut down on exotic locations and sets), and comedy was integrated into the plots via Mantan Moreland's chauffeur Birmingham Brown; Benson Fong also joined the cast as Number Three Son Tommy, with occasional appearances by daughter Frances (Frances Chan) and son Eddie (Edwin Luke, brother of Keye Luke, who played Number One Son Lee in the Fox Chans).
Other than that, the six films collected here (the first six Chans for Monogram, and all but five directed by Phil Rosen) are largely indistinguishable from one another save for the murder victims and their demises. In The Secret Service, Chan investigates the death of a wartime inventor; a San Francisco socialite expires in The Chinese Cat; daughter Frances is involved in the murder of a psychic in Meeting at Midnight (a.k.a. Black Magic); another government scientist is killed in The Jade Mask, and death by remote control is the focus of The Scarlet Clue. Director Phil Karlson (Kansas City Confidential) adds some noirish atmosphere to The Shanghai Cobra, which has bank employees dying from apparent snakebites. Dated and controversial as they may be, the Chan films are engaging diversions for vintage mystery fans. No extras are featured in the set. --Paul Gaita
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful
These take me back to childhood, many a Saturday afternoon sitting in front of the fire on cold autumn day. When i ordered these i couldn't really remember much about the films except that they were one of my aunty's favorites. When i saw these at such a low price from Amazon I decided to take the chance. It has definitely paid off!!
The quality of the sound and picture are very good (for the year) and lets face it they are sixty years old or more, yet this doesn't show much and what does show only adds to the nostalgia of these brilliant films.
As soon as you start watching these films you start to remember the way Charlie gaiters across the room with that smile on his face as if thinking of a private joke. Speaking of jokes the humour in these films is also novel, Birmingham provides most of this with the expressions of his face and his big round eyes.
Not knowing much about the actors or directors means I can't comment on these, all I know is in these films they are all excellent, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! They also will have a well earned space on my DVD shelf as they are all re-watchable and will like to pass down to my number one son who also likes them.
The quality of the sound and picture are very good (for the year) and lets face it they are sixty years old or more, yet this doesn't show much and what does show only adds to the nostalgia of these brilliant films.
As soon as you start watching these films you start to remember the way Charlie gaiters across the room with that smile on his face as if thinking of a private joke. Speaking of jokes the humour in these films is also novel, Birmingham provides most of this with the expressions of his face and his big round eyes.
Not knowing much about the actors or directors means I can't comment on these, all I know is in these films they are all excellent, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! They also will have a well earned space on my DVD shelf as they are all re-watchable and will like to pass down to my number one son who also likes them.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
I too have enjoyed this charlie chan box set, some of his saying are still priceless, a must for any 40 plus movie buff, a nice warm fire, comfortable chair, switch the phone off, settle down to hours of pleasure.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
In the mid forties the Monogram studio took over production of the Charlie Chan movies after Twentieth Century Fox dropped the series in 1942. Actor Sidney Toler now owned the rights to the character, and went on to star in eleven Chan films for Monogram up until his death in 1947. This box set contains the first six of those films, and given they are less well known than the Fox films, this release is welcome. Although the Monogram films had decidedly lower budgets and production values than the Fox series, there is still much to enjoy. Of the films in this set the stand out ones are director Phil Karlson's "Shanghai Cobra", with its film noir elements, and "Meeting At Midnight", with its spooky overtones. The remaining films are somewhat weaker and are rather similar to each other, but are still entertaining. The other factor that makes this set worth considering is the very good picture and sound quality, which sets it apart from the miserable efforts contained within some other UK releases. The otherwise excellent set loses one star for not including any extras.
It is to be hoped MGM will release the remaining Monogram Chan films in due course, as it is particularly regrettable Phil Karlson's second feature in the series, "Dark Alibi", is not generally available.
It is to be hoped MGM will release the remaining Monogram Chan films in due course, as it is particularly regrettable Phil Karlson's second feature in the series, "Dark Alibi", is not generally available.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Chan
Chantology is a first-rate set of DVDs. The box set was delivered quickly, and complements the two Chan sets I already own (Toler and Oland). Read more
Published 1 month ago by GS
Good and enjoyable
My own personal opinion, each actor playing Charlie Chan, brings their own slant on how to play Charlie Chan, each is just as enjoyable as the other - all down to personal taste... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ms. Nicola J. Booth
Charlie Chan takes a pay cut
After 20th Century Fox finally dropped the Charlie Chan series after closing down their B-movie unit in 1942, they took the unusual step of letting star Sidney Toler shop the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Trevor Willsmer
Good, but one fault
I always enjoy the Chan films - in fact unlike most fans I prefer Sidney Toler over Warner Oland. This set which I bought of Amazon recently is good fun with generally good prints... Read more
Published 12 months ago by MARK C. BALE
Six of the best Chan's from the Toler/Monogram era...
This is an absolutely cracking anothology. Brilliant stuff for movie buffs...
Here you get 6 of the best Chan's from the Monogram era with Sidney Toler at the helm and I... Read more
Here you get 6 of the best Chan's from the Monogram era with Sidney Toler at the helm and I... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Robster
good for a laugh
These were apparently the last of the Charlie Chan films of this era. Taken over by a poor production company - and it shows. 3 cds with 2 films on each. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Traveller
keeps wife happy
this is so old its funny. my wife used to watch it as a child. when she sits down to watch it her smile is great. so if you enjoyed this when you were younger definately get it.
Published 18 months ago by hagafan
Charlie Chan-Chanthology
Brill!,one of chaz's best.Had'nt seen any in years, and boy was I surprised to find this little gem at such a snip. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. Stephen J. Kelly
Check the Main Actor is the one you are expecting
Bought on impulse without checking the actor playing Charlie was the one I was expecting. As a result of this the films are not to my taste however this is down to my error. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Russell Hazeldine
Perfect for any given Sunday - especially if you have Man-Flu
I bought this on a whim when I suddenly got the urge to revisit my youth and buy all the old Tarzan films, and thought: why not add this to the bag? Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by The Truth
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