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I have reviewed all the Charlie Chan box sets and forgot to review the newest! Since the plots of these films have been previously discussed, I will impart some inside information on this set. After the original movie Chan, Warner Oland died, Fox chose Sidney Toler to resume the series. Keye Luke who played the #1 son, was very close to Oland and decided to quit the series (he showed up later in the very last movies with Roland Winters). His enthusiasm and humor is sorely missed, but Fox made a wise choice in replacing luke with Victor Sun Yen (Hopsing of Bonanza fame) as the #1 son. He brings a fresh and at times, klutzy humor to the series. These are the first 4 movies Toler made under the Fox banner before it was bought by Monogram Pictures (a poverty row movie company at the time). The best outings in this lovely box set is IN HONOLULU. This is only the second time the famous detective is placed in his home turf (Oland made THE BLACK CAMEL that took place in Hawaii). This movie also shows the very large Chan family. E.D Biggers created this character on a real life Honolulu detective. TREASURE ISLAND which takes place at the World's Fair in San Francisco is the other highlight in the series. Fans should note that IN THE CITY OF DARKNESS, #1 son is not in the movie and it is set in Paris during the Nazi bombings and is the weakest entry due to the inept characterization of the Parisian detective's almost silly comic relief. Sun Yen is more sorely missed by this dude's presence. One should not compare Oland to Toler's interpretation of the character. They are almost two separate personalities. Oland immersed himself in Chinese culture and his version of Chan warm and a bit more likable. Toler, uses funny, acid comeback lines, but underneath his sharpness, the viewer can see his gentleness. Unlike the Oland ventures, The Toler movies do not look like drawing room murder mysteries. Many process shots were used to give the movie a more varied and less claustrophobic feel to the films. These first Toler films for Fox are his best outings (and there are many others he made for the company before switching to Monogram), so we can hope for future box sets. After the US got involved in the war, Sun Yen joined the Air Force and was replaced. he returned for one other Toler outing (he also was seen in several of the final movies with Roland Winters). The transfers are clean and well done. The set follows the same formula as the other Chan box set outings with plenty of bonus features. Fans of this genre will not be disappointed. This Toler set is far superior to CHANTHOLOGY made for Monogram. Those particular films were far too cautious and a bit boring due to anti-oriental sentiment that was evident in the country at the time, as Monogram was careful not to make any political blunders. And this particular group of 6 movies unfortunately fell into deliberate stereotype, thus making the Fox Toler outings much more enjoyable thanks to fine scripting, acting and location shooting. If you own the other Chan set, then you have to get this one or your collection is just not complete.Read full review
Well packaged, the fourth in a series of Fox Chan films. The first three volumes covered the Chan films of Warner Oland. This set begins the Chan films of the second Fox Chan, Sidney Toler. All of the Toler Fox films are worthy of the series, all very solid B films. With these we also see the introduction of Sen Yung as Number Two Son, later to known as Hop Sing on Bonanza. It's taken years for Fox to reissue these films and it appears they are doing it in fine fashion. I anticipate another two volumes to complete the series of Fox Chan films. Three of these four I would consider on my favorite Chan list.
I saw many of these movies as a child, on television, during the 1950's and it was always a treat to try and figure out who did what. I'm glad Fox decided to release the Charlie Chan detective series and although they were B pictures, they are a part of Hollywood history. I enjoy watching these movies because of the background scenes, furniture, clothing, cars etc. It is especially nice to watch movies that don't depend on bad language or unrealistic explosions to complete the plot. The Special Features sections on these DVD's are very interesting because they tell little known facts about the actors and how the films were made. If you like old movies, Charlie Chan mysteries, Hollywood history and views of the world from a different time, these DVD's should fit the bill.
I bought this for my mother as a gift and she couldn’t be happier! Package arrived in less than 10 days even during Covid times
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I really love this set. All of the movies are entertaining and well made, would highly recommend.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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