Warner Oland
Warner Oland was the first actor to play the role of Charlie Chan in the movies, in 1931, and he continue to play the character until his death in 1938. In total, he was involved in 16 Chan movies. Oland had previously played the role of Dr. Fu Manchu in one of the earlies "talkies" produced in 1929, and he reprised his role in the 1930 production of "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu" and the 1931 production of "Daughter of the Dragon". Oland took these roles very seriously, and had even visited China to learn some Chinese in an attempt to make the character more authentic. Though the Chan figure may apppear stereotypical today, it represented the first time for Hollywood to develop an Asian character as a positive role model. Oland's Chan films include "Charlie Chan Carries On" (1931), "The Black Camel" (1931), "Charlie Chan's Chance" (1932), "Charlie Chan's Greatest Case" (1933), "Charlie Chan's Courage" (1934), "Charlie Chan in London" (1934), "Charlie Chan in Paris" (1935), "Charlie Chan in Egypt" (1935), "Charlie Chan in Shanghai" (1935), "Charlie Chan's Secret" (1936), "Charlie Chan at the Circus" (1936), "Charlie Chan at the Race Track" (1936), "Charlie Chan at the Opera" (1936), "Charlie Chan at the Olympics" (1937), "Charlie Chan on Broadway" (1937), "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo" (1938). In 1938 Oland began work on the film "Charlie Chan at Ringside", but he died during the filming. The story was revised to replace the Chan character with the character of Mr. Motto, and Peter Lorre took the lead role for the film that became "Mr. Motto's Gamble" (1938).
Sidney Toler
Sidney Toler took the role of Charlie Chan upon the death of Warner Oland. He completed 22 films in the Chan series. Those films were "Charlie Chan in Honolulu" (1938), "Charlie Chan in Reno" (1939), "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island" (1939), "Charlie Chan in the City of Darkness" (1939), "Charlie Chan in Panama" (1940), "Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise" (1940), "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum" (1940), "Murder Over New York" (1940), "Dead Men Tell" (1941), "Charlie Chan in Rio" (1941), "Castle in the Desert" (1942), "Charlie Chan in the Secret Service" (1944), "The Chinese Cat" (1944), "Meeting at Midnight" (1944), "The Jade Mask" (1945), "The Scarlet Clue" (1945), "The Shanghai Cobra" (1945), "The Red Dragon" (1945), "Dark Alibi" (1946), "Shadow Over Chinatown" (1946), "Dangerous Money" (1946), and "The Trap" (1947).
Roland Winters
Roland Winters played Charlie Chan in just six films, none of which I have been able to view. Those films were "The Chinese Ring" (1947), "Docks of New Orleans" (1948), "Shanghai Chest" (1948), "The Golden Eye" (1948), "The Fathered Serpent" (1948), "The Sky Dragon" (1949). It is interesting that the series died in 1949, the year the Chinese Communists assumed control over the Chinese mainland.
The Unintended Humor of Yellowface
1. Warner Oland speaks Chinese
2. A translation
3. Sidney Toler speaks Chinese (as General Kai in the Adventures of Smilin' Jack series)
The Language of Yellowface - Slow Down the Language
1. Sidney Toler speaking perfect English
Yellowface - Chan Aphorisms
1. Please. Allow parent to make Confucius saying.
2. Only very foolish mouse make nest in cat's ear.
3. Any powder that kills flea is good powder.
4. Knowledge only gained through curiosity.
5. Mice only play when cat supposed to be in bed.
6. Every bird seek its own tree; never tree the bird.
7. Truth speak from any chair.
8. Justice like virtue; brings its own reward.
Yellowface - The Hodgepodge of Chan Grammar
1. Lethal dart was propelled by sharp breath towards dead man. (Note that "was" is used here, as is correct. Chan is capable of using the past tense correctly from time to time)
2. Tomorrow parent depart for Honolulu. Tonight same prefer good dinner to ancient crime. (Note that "same" refers to Chan himself)
3. Biggest mistakes in history make by people who didn't think. (Note that Chan uses "make" rather than "made", but also uses "people who", which is a difficult construction.
4. In Honolulu you say you not use car that day.
5. Excuse please. Miss Dean posses fine jewels? (Note the use of intonation to indicate a question)
6. Excuse please. Must consult with honorable associate. Could provide guests with refreshment?
Yellowface - Chan Lexicon
1. "There's nobody here." "Contradication, please. Look!"
Chan as a Cultural Ambassador
1. You most anxious for humble presence at broadcast tonight. (Note "humble presence" refers to Chan himself)
2. Humble presence of no more importance than one drop of rain in cloudburst
3. Perhaps worthy doctor have secret purpose behind challenge tonight. (Note the use of "worthy" to refer to other people)
4. Filial grief honorable music to ancient heart.
5. What is honorable family name, please.
6. As number two son would say. (Note the practice of giving numbers to children)
Chan's Dubious Interpretations of Chinese Culture
1. Please excuse number two son bad manners. When very excited he sometimes lapse into ancient honorable language.
2. Only one occasion, inspector. When honorable wife announce arrival of thirteenth offspring. (Note "honorable" wife would not refer to one's own wife)
3. Will imitate woman and change mind. (Chan as a male chauvinist)
4. But you confer first with chip off old chopstick.
Prejudice
1. "Remember Mr. Chan, I'm an American citizen." "I am proud to say, so am I."
2. "What are they saying?" "I don' know, sir. It's all Chinese to me." "What!?" "Sure, I don't speak the language. I was raised in an American orphanage in San Francisco."
3. All Chinese look the same
4. The Chinese written language
5. Racial slurs (1)
6. Racial slurs (2)
7. Racial slurs (3)
My Own Apologies
1. Fortunately, assassination of French language not serious crime.
