Roland Winters as Charlie Chan - what are your thoughts?

[The Space Boss]

I have all of the available Charlie Chan's on DVD now, I believe, the
Chanthology boxset and the Warner Brothers Vol 1 and 2 boxsets.

This is my first introduction to Charlie Chan, I am a big fan of
creepy mysteries and watching these films when time allows is a real
treat.

On these two sets, Warner Oland and Sidney Toler play Charlie Chan,
and both runs of the chan films have thier charm. The addition of the
wonderful Mantan Moreland in the latter series really adds something
special to the films.

Both Warner Oland and Sidney Toler met tragic, untimely deaths.

I noticed that a few more films were made with Roland Winters as
Charlie Chan. I have not seen any of these films, and I don't think
they are out on DVD. I do know that they also star Mantan Moreland
which I imagine would provide a smoother transition and continuity
from the Toler Chan films.

So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.

[wa2oosy]

Post by The Space Boss
I have all of the available Charlie Chan's on DVD now, I believe, the
Chanthology boxset and the Warner Brothers Vol 1 and 2 boxsets.
This is my first introduction to Charlie Chan, I am a big fan of
creepy mysteries and watching these films when time allows is a real
treat.
On these two sets, Warner Oland and Sidney Toler play Charlie Chan,
and both runs of the chan films have thier charm. The addition of the
wonderful Mantan Moreland in the latter series really adds something
special to the films.
Both Warner Oland and Sidney Toler met tragic, untimely deaths.
I noticed that a few more films were made with Roland Winters as
Charlie Chan. I have not seen any of these films, and I don't think
they are out on DVD. I do know that they also star Mantan Moreland
which I imagine would provide a smoother transition and continuity
from the Toler Chan films.
So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.

Why both actors did a fine job playing Mr. Chan, I would have to say I
favor Warner Oland.
The two Oland box sets represent the Fox Chans, while the Warner
Brothers that feature Sidney Toler and Mantan Moreland are the ones
produced by Monogram Studios.

http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D68255

http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D69269

http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D61287

You should also check out the Mr. Moto box sets with Peter Lorre.

http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D68550

http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D69457

Cartoonguy

[The Space Boss]

Post by wa2oosy

Post by The Space Boss
I have all of the available Charlie Chan's on DVD now, I believe, the
Chanthology boxset and the Warner Brothers Vol 1 and 2 boxsets.
This is my first introduction to Charlie Chan, I am a big fan of
creepy mysteries and watching these films when time allows is a real
treat.
On these two sets, Warner Oland and Sidney Toler play Charlie Chan,
and both runs of the chan films have thier charm. The addition of the
wonderful Mantan Moreland in the latter series really adds something
special to the films.
Both Warner Oland and Sidney Toler met tragic, untimely deaths.
I noticed that a few more films were made with Roland Winters as
Charlie Chan. I have not seen any of these films, and I don't think
they are out on DVD. I do know that they also star Mantan Moreland
which I imagine would provide a smoother transition and continuity
from the Toler Chan films.
So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.

Why both actors did a fine job playing Mr. Chan, I would have to say I
favor Warner Oland.
The two Oland box sets represent the Fox Chans, while the Warner
Brothers that feature Sidney Toler and Mantan Moreland are the ones
produced by Monogram Studios.
http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D68255
http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D69269
http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D61287
You should also check out the Mr. Moto box sets with Peter Lorre.
http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D68550
http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D69457
Cartoonguy- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Way ahead of you on the MOTO's.. I've bought both of them at Costco,
but haven't cracked them open yet. I did, however, watch "Mr. Moto's
last warning" since it was released in the public domain in another
set I've got.

And apparantly, they tried to revive the Moto series in the sixties
with little success :(

[x***@att.net]

Post by The Space Boss
I have all of the available Charlie Chan's on DVD now, I believe, the
Chanthology boxset and the Warner Brothers Vol 1 and 2 boxsets.
This is my first introduction to Charlie Chan, I am a big fan of
creepy mysteries and watching these films when time allows is a real
treat.
On these two sets, Warner Oland and Sidney Toler play Charlie Chan,
and both runs of the chan films have thier charm. The addition of the
wonderful Mantan Moreland in the latter series really adds something
special to the films.
Both Warner Oland and Sidney Toler met tragic, untimely deaths.
I noticed that a few more films were made with Roland Winters as
Charlie Chan. I have not seen any of these films, and I don't think
they are out on DVD. I do know that they also star Mantan Moreland
which I imagine would provide a smoother transition and continuity
from the Toler Chan films.
So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.>>

Oland number one "Pop"! Just ask Keye Luke.

[George Peatty]

Post by The Space Boss
So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.

Oland was the best looking Chan; Toler the best sounding. I think the
general feeling is Oland's pictures are better, but Toler has his following.
If you haven't discovered it yet, http://www.charliechan.net

[wa2oosy]

Post by George Peatty

Post by The Space Boss
So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.

Oland was the best looking Chan; Toler the best sounding. I think the
general feeling is Oland's pictures are better, but Toler has his following.
If you haven't discovered it yet,http://www.charliechan.net

Sidney Toler also played Captain S.S. Periwinkle in the Laurel and
Hardy
film "Our Relations" (1936)

Cartoonguy

[Steverino]

Post by wa2oosy

Post by George Peatty

Post by The Space Boss
So what are your thoughts on this? How did he stack up to the two
previous "Chans"? Thank you in advance.

Oland was the best looking Chan; Toler the best sounding. I think the
general feeling is Oland's pictures are better, but Toler has his following.
If you haven't discovered it yet,http://www.charliechan.net

Sidney Toler also played Captain S.S. Periwinkle in the Laurel and
Hardy
film "Our Relations" (1936)
Cartoonguy

I used to watch these a lot on TV years ago. I think Oland is
generally favored but Toler made more apparently and he was good too.
Oland's series was followed by Toler's longer one was followed by a
few more episodes starring Winters. I remember the Winters series as
more cheaply produced, by Monogram, I think. They were okay too
though. Number One Son was played by Keye Luke at least most of the
time and possibly in all three series. I've read that by the time he
played with Winters, Luke the "son" was actually a few months older
than Winters the "father." I believe Keye Luke was also David
Carradine's old man spiritual master in the "Kung Fu" TV series. He
had a long career in movies and TV popping up here and there in small
roles. I remember a TV movie with Ross Martin (of "The Wild Wild
West") playing Chan. It was fair. I've read two of the original Chan
novels and they were fun. A new Chan movie (how about an Asian actor
this time?) with a good budget would be as good an idea as "For Love
or Mummy" was a dismal idea.

[George Peatty]

Post by Steverino
A new Chan movie (how about an Asian actor
this time?) with a good budget would be as good an idea as "For Love
or Mummy" was a dismal idea.

Give it a noir look, make it a period piece, and play it absolutely straight
- no camp, and no humor except for Chan's horrible proverbs .. Heck yeah ..

[Bill Steele]

Post by George Peatty

Post by Steverino
A new Chan movie (how about an Asian actor
this time?) with a good budget would be as good an idea as "For Love
or Mummy" was a dismal idea.

Give it a noir look, make it a period piece, and play it absolutely straight
- no camp, and no humor except for Chan's horrible proverbs .. Heck yeah ..

It would have to walk a fine line. Even an Asian actor speaking Charlie
Chan's corrupted English would be accused of racism these days.

I recall reading that Keye Luke once proposed a TV series in which he
would plan Number One Son grown up, a hip, modern detective with the
same ancient wisdom and deductive skills, but the estate of Earl Derr
Biggers turned it down, because they wanted to preserve the old image.

[George Peatty]

Post by Bill Steele
I recall reading that Keye Luke once proposed a TV series in which he
would plan Number One Son grown up, a hip, modern detective with the
same ancient wisdom and deductive skills, but the estate of Earl Derr
Biggers turned it down, because they wanted to preserve the old image.

They did that, after a fashion, with Kung Fu; David Carradine playing the
elderly grandson of Kwai Chang Caine, and his son the hip, urban cop who
uses kung fu to defend himself and subdue criminals. I think Carradine, as
old as he was, even did a few action scenes. Hard to believe Carradine is
in his 70's, according to imdb ..

[Anim8rFSK]

Post by George Peatty

Post by Bill Steele
I recall reading that Keye Luke once proposed a TV series in which he
would plan Number One Son grown up, a hip, modern detective with the
same ancient wisdom and deductive skills, but the estate of Earl Derr
Biggers turned it down, because they wanted to preserve the old image.

They did that, after a fashion, with Kung Fu; David Carradine playing the
elderly grandson of Kwai Chang Caine,

Maybe. Carradine said that while they payed lip service to this, Caine
was clearly the same character, merely now in his mid 100s. The series
swung back and forth as to whether the character was indeed Caine 1 or
Caine 111, hopelessly and irreconcilably confusing the issue. I prefer
to go with the earlier explanation -- it's Caine 1.

Post by George Peatty
and his son the hip, urban cop who
uses kung fu to defend himself and subdue criminals. I think Carradine, as
old as he was, even did a few action scenes.

Absolutely. He apparently actually learned a good deal of the art
between series. The stunt people talked about what a powerful fighter
he was.

Post by George Peatty
Hard to believe Carradine is
in his 70's, according to imdb ..

[Bill Steele]

Post by Steverino
Number One Son was played by Keye Luke at least most of the
time and possibly in all three series.

Later on we had Victor Sen Young (Yung?) as number two son.

Personally, I could never buy Winters as Chinese. OTOH, Toler looks
Chinese to me even in earlier movies where he isn't supposed to be. Or
did, before I got to know a lot of actual Asians.

[Dave in Toronto]

Post by Bill Steele

Post by Steverino
Number One Son was played by Keye Luke at least most of the
time and possibly in all three series.

Later on we had Victor Sen Young (Yung?) as number two son.
Personally, I could never buy Winters as Chinese. OTOH, Toler looks
Chinese to me even in earlier movies where he isn't supposed to be. Or
did, before I got to know a lot of actual Asians.

Probably Warner Oland came the closest to looking Asian - He had a
Russian grandmother who was of Mongolian descent.

Dave in Toronto

[RArmant]

Post by Bill Steele

Post by Steverino
Number One Son was played by Keye Luke at least most of the
time and possibly in all three series.

Later on we had Victor Sen Young (Yung?) as number two son.

Victor Sen Yung who later on became Hop Sing -- the cook at the
Ponderosa.

[Jack Lefton]

Number One Son was played by Keye Luke at least most of the

Post by Steverino
time and possibly in all three series. I've read that by the time he
played with Winters, Luke the "son" was actually a few months older
than Winters the "father." I believe Keye Luke was also David
Carradine's old man spiritual master in the "Kung Fu" TV series. He
had a long career in movies and TV popping up here and there in small
roles. I remember a TV movie with Ross Martin (of "The Wild Wild
West") playing Chan. It was fair.

Benson Fong was in there at some point, maybe as number 2 son.

I remember a Chan TV series when I was a kid, with all purpose ethnic J
Carrol Naish in the lead.

[Babe]

Ever notice how all three Chans have an "ol" in their names?