In over four dozen films, Chinese detective Charlie Chan solved mysteries and crimes that baffled authorities. Based on the character created by author Earl Derr Biggers, Chan first appeared in silent serials. In 1929 he had a small role in the early sound film, “Behind the Curtain.” The “Charlie Chan Movie Poster Book” presents posters and poster art from *Chan films from 1931-1949 featuring Warner Oland, Sidney Toler and Roland Winters in the title role. Also included is the controversial “Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen” (1981) starring Peter Ustinov. It's a collection even No.1 son would be proud to have.
A biography of cinematic hero Charlie Chan, based on the real-life Chinese immigrant detective, Chang Apana, whose bravado inspired mystery writer Earl Derr Biggers to depict his fictional sleuth as a wisecracking and wise investigator rather than a stereotype.
From his primitive nonseries beginnings through the well known Fox series of 44 films (1931-1949), here is the complete history of famous film detective Charlie Chan. The films are presented in chronological order, with full cast and credits, synopses and evaluations. Biographical details on the three most famous screen Chans--Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, and Roland Winters--and background information on series directors and supporting players, insights into the making of the films, and the full story of the abrupt halt in 1949 as well as an array of the detective's aphorisms (or Chan-o-grams) are included. Numerous photos throughout.
A fabulous series of pictorial movie encyclopedias spanning the early days of the movie industry to the present. Drawn from the author's research and personal archives, this book presents movie posters as an art form as well as a slice of America's history. High quality, all colour reproduction and accurate text makes this book excellent for reference, while movie lovers will delight in the opportunity to remember their favourite film.
A selection of 600 quotes from the Charlie Chan movies, based on the character created by Earl Derr Biggers. Includes a 12-page databank of publicity photos, lobby cards, and other scenes from the movies.
Published in 1925, The House Without a Key introduces the kindly detective Charlie Chan, conceived by Earl Derr Biggers as a counter to the “Yellow Peril” stereotypes common in the era’s society. John Quincy Winterslip, having been sent by his family to convince his aunt to return to Boston, arrives in Honolulu to find that a rich family member with a shady past has been murdered. Detective Charlie Chan of the Honolulu Police Department recruits John to aid in the investigation. As he works to uncover the murderer, John learns about Chinese culture—and true love. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.
He has been called "arguably the single most important artist produced by the cinema, certainly its most extraordinary performer and probably still its most universal icon" For moviegoers, he was simply, Charlie Chaplin, who won their hearts and made them split their sides in laughter when he portrayed the Little Tramp, his most memorable iconic onscreen character in silent films. Chaplin wasn't only the Little Tramp. He was a comic genius whom produced, directed and wrote most of his, even later composing the music for him. He was the total filmmaker. The “Charlie Chaplin Movie Poster Book” captures the imagination and genius of one of the most important figures of the film industry, presenting, for the first time, more than 50 vintage movie posters in print, all in full color. It represents a period of filmmaking which will never be duplicated. The book is divided into eight sections. The first five are by the studios or distribution companies, in chronilogical order: Keystone, Essanay, Mutual, First National, United Artists. Then there are British Productions, Foreign Releases and Compilation Films. The “Charlie Chaplin Movie Poster Book” is a fitting tribute to a true film pioneer, a legend, whose timeless films will never fade, but continue to entertain and inspire audiences for generations to come.
This early work by Earl Derr Biggers was originally published in 1930 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. "Charlie Chan Carries On" is the fifth novel in the Charlie Chan series. Inspector Duff, a Scotland Yard detective and friend of Chan's, first introduced in Behind That Curtain, is pursuing a murderer on an around-the-world voyage; so far, there have been murders in London, France, Italy and Japan. While his ship is docked in Honolulu, the detective is shot and wounded by his quarry; though he survives, he is unable to continue with the cruise, and Chan takes his place instead. Earl Derr Biggers was born on 26th August 1884 in Warren, Ohio, USA. Biggers received his further education at Harvard University, where he developed a reputation as a literary rebel, preferring the popular modern authors, such as Rudyard Kipling and Richard Harding Davis to the established figures of classical literature. Following in their footsteps upon graduating, he himself began a career as a popular writer, penning humorous articles and reviews for the Boston Traveler. While on holiday in Hawaii, Biggers heard tales of a real-life Chinese detective operating in Honolulu, named Chang Apana. This inspired him to create his most enduring legacy in the character of super-sleuth Charlie Chan. The first Chan story "The House Without a Key" (1925) was published as a serialised story in the Saturday Evening Post and then released as a novel in the same year. Biggers went on to write five more Chan novels and all were licensed for movie adaptations by Fox Films. These films were hugely popular with several different actors taking the lead role of Chan. Eventually; over 40 films were produced featuring the character. Biggers only saw the early on-screen successes of Charlie Chan due to his death at the age of only 48 from a heart attack in April 1933.
A mysterious millionaire with a penchant for strange pets takes a flyer on a string of pearls and finds that death is the broker. Charlie Chan embarks on an incognito journey across the desert to find the answer to a question – a question posed by a dead parrot who spoke in Chinese . . . Chan dons a disguise and goes undercover to solve a complex triple intrigue of fake identity, kidnapping and murder.
This book looks at some of the most popular movie series made. It includes the background of each series, information on the characters and the actors who portrayed them.
