Magic Lantern Video & Book StoreCharlie Chan
Page Two
![Honolulu homicide detective Charlie Chan, as played by actor Roland Winters [1904-1989]](images/CharlieChanRW.jpg) |
on page one:
Short History Links Charlie Chan Movies
here on page two:
|
[continued]
"The Chinese Ring" [Monogram Dec 1947]
 |
A Chinese princess is killed by a poison dart at Chan's home (now in San Francisco).
Directed by William Beaudine; starring Roland Winters {as Chan}, Victor Sen Yung, Mantan Moreland, Warren Douglas, Louise Currie, Philip Ahn, Byron Foulger, Thayer Roberts, Barbara Jean Wong & Chabing video/DVD not available; full credits from IMDb |
"Docks of New Orleans"
[Monogram March 1948]
 |
Managers at a New Orleans chemical company load a mysterious shipment onto a ship; the company's head is mugged, his partners purchase a large life insurance policy on him, and the angry inventor of some poison gas shows up with a gun.
Directed by Derwin Abrahams; starring Roland Winters {as Chan}, Victor Sen Yung, Mantan Moreland, John Gallaudet, Carol Forman, Douglas Fowley, Harry Hayden, Howard Negley, Stanley Andrews, Emmett Vogan, Boyd Irwin, Rory Mallinson & George J. Lewis
video/DVD not available; full credits from IMDb |
"The Shanghai Chest" [Monogram July 1948]
 |
A young man arrives at his uncle's home and is knocked out by the uncle's killer; the police arrive and arrest the nephew for the crime.
Directed by William Beaudine; starring Roland Winters {as Chan}, Victor Sen Yung, Mantan Moreland, Tim Ryan, Deannie Best, Tristram Coffin, John Alvin, Russell Hicks & Pierre Watkin
video/DVD not available; full credits from IMDb |
"The Golden Eye" [Monogram Aug 1948]
 | Charlie vacations at a dude ranch in Arizona to investigate a money-losing gold mine that is suddenly making a fortune.
Directed by William Beaudine; starring Roland Winters {as Chan}, Victor Sen Yung, Mantan Moreland, Tim Ryan, Wanda McKay, Bruce Kellogg, Evelyn Brent, Ralph Dunn, Lois Austin & Forrest Taylor
video/DVD not available; full credits from IMDb |
"The Feathered Serpent" [Monogram Dec 1948]
 |
An archeologist at a dig in Mexico kidnaps a colleague to translate clues to a fabled Aztec treasure.
Directed by William Beaudine; adapted by Oliver Drake from his story "Riders of the Whistling Skull"; starring Roland Winters {as Chan}, Keye Luke, Victor Sen Yung, Mantan Moreland, Robert Livingston, Beverly Jons, Martin Garralaga, George J. Lewis, Charles Stevens, Nils Asther, Carol Forman, Leslie Denison & Erville Alderson
video/DVD not available; full credits from IMDb |
"The Sky Dragon" [Monogram April 1949]
 | The passengers on a plane bound for San Francisco are drugged and a million dollars is missing. Directed by Lesley Selander; starring Roland Winters {as Chan}, Keye Luke, Mantan Moreland, Tim Ryan, Iris Adrian, Lyle Talbot, Noel Neill, Elena Verdugo, Milburn Stone, Paul Maxey, Joel Marston, John Eldredge & Eddie Parks
video/DVD not available; full credits from IMDb |
"Charlie Chan Returns"
[N.B.C./Universal tv movie 1973]
 |
Charlie investigates a murder on the yacht of a Greek tycoon.
Directed by Daryl Duke; teleplay by Gene R. Kearney & Simon Last; starring Ross Martin {as Chan}
video/DVD not available full credits from IMDb 1974 novelization by Dennis Lynds
|
"Charlie Chan and The Curse of The Dragon Queen"
[American Cinema Releasing Feb 1981]
 |
A San Francisco detective asks retired detective Charlie Chan for help solving a series of murders; the primary suspect is an enemy from Chan's past known as the Dragon Queen.
Co-produced & co-written by Jerry Sherlock; directed by Clive Donner; starring Peter Ustinov {as Chan}, Angie Dickinson {as the Dragon Queen}, Lee Grant, Richard Hatch, Brian Keith, Roddy McDowall, Rachel Roberts & Michelle Pfeiffer Trinity Home Ent. color DVD [4/2007] for $5.99 Trinity Home Ent. color DVD [9/2004] for $13.99 color VHS [undated] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb 1981 novelization by Michael Avallone Pinnacle Books mass pb [1/81] out of print/used |
"Charlie Chan" [2009 release] 
movie in development from Fox; starring Lucy Liu as Charlie's granddaughter
latest info at IMDb
Other Media
1957-58 tv series starring J. Carrol Naish
1972 16-episode animated tv series with Key Luke as Charlie's voice
"Charlie Chan" radio programs (1932 to 1948)
Charlie Chan's Mystery Magazine (circa 1974)
Books About Charlie Chan's Movies
 |
"The Charlie Chan Film Encyclopedia" [2000] by Howard M. Berlin McFarland & Co. 10x7 pb [10/2005] for $39.95 "Charlie Chan's Words of Wisdom: 600 Proverbs" [2003] by Howard M. Berlin Wildside Press 9x7 pb [8/2003] for $14.24 Wildside Press 9½x6¼ hardcover [8/2003] for $24.95 |
 |
"A Guide To Charlie Chan Films" [1999] by Charles P. Mitchell Greenwood Press 9½c6½ hardcover [6/99] for $96.95 |
 |
"Charlie Chan At The Movies: History, Filmography & Criticism" [1989] by Ken Hanke McFarland & Co. 7¾x6 pb [3/2004] for $35.00 |
Earl Derr Biggers [1884-1933]
|
Playwright & mystery author Earl Derr Biggers was born in Warren, Ohio on 24 August 1884, and graduated from Harvard University in 1907.
His novel "Seven Keys To Baldpate" [1913] was adapted for at least seven feature films; vaudeville-Broadway star George M. Cohan adapted the novel as a stage play; Biggers himself starred in the 1917 film version. Earl Derr Biggers is most-famous for his Charlie Chan mystery novels [1925-32] and the 60+ feature films starring the Chinese-American Honolulu-based detective in a wide range of exotic venues, such as Hollywood, London, Paris, Egypt & Shanghai. Biggers lived in San Marino, California (near Pasadena), and died there 5 April 1933 after a heart attack suffered in Palm Springs. |
Earl Derr Biggers movie credits at Internet Movie Database
Earl Derr Biggers entry at Wikipedia
all books by Earl Derr Biggers
The Charlie Chan Novels
 |
"The House Without A Key" [Bobbs-Merrill 1925]
A strait-laced young bond trader comes to Honolulu to bring his uncle back to Boston; among the surprises in Hawaii are his uncle's murder and the Chinese-American police detective who solves the case. Echo Library 9x6 pb [5/2007] out of print/used Popular Library mass pb [9/86] out of print/used Bantam mass pb [1/74] out of print/used book entry at Wikipedia |
 |
"The Chinese Parrot" [Curtis 1926]
A wealthy eccentric in the California desert buys a string of pearls, and Charlie helps transport them to him. After the killing of a parrot and of the Chinese houseboy, Charlie masquerades as a pidgin-speaking Chinese cook. Echo Library 9x6 pb [5/2007] out of print/used Mysterious Press pb [1/87] out of print/used book entry at Wikipedia |
 |
"Behind That Curtain" [Bobbs-Merrill 1928]
A Scotland Yard detective inspector tracking a fifteen-year series of murders is killed after meeting Charlie Chan at a dinner party in San Francisco. Mysterious Press pb [4/87] out of print/used book entry at Wikipedia |
 |
"The Black Camel" [Bobbs-Merrill 1929]
A Hollywood actress on location in Hawaii is killed, and Charlie Chan finds connections to a murder three years previous and a mysterious psychic. Popular Library pb [10/87] out of print/used Bobbs-Merrill hardcover [1929] out of print/used book entry at Wikipedia |
 |
"Charlie Chan Carries On" [Bobbs-Merrill 1930]
A Scotland Yard detective inspector in pursuit of the perpetrator of murders in London, France, Italy & Japan is shot while his ship is docked in Honolulu. The Englishman sur- vives, but is unable to continue with the cruise, so Charlie Chan takes his place instead. Mysterious Press 11x7¾ pb [11/87] out of print/used Pyramid mass pb [1969] out of print/used book entry at Wikipedia |
 |
"Keeper of The Keys" [Bobbs-Merrill 1932]
A world-famous opera singer is hosting her four ex-husbands at her California estate when she is murdered. {The only Chan novel not adapted as a feature film.} Popular Library pb [2/88] out of print/used Bobbs-Merrill hardcover [1932] out of print/used book entry at Wikipedia Broadway play [1933] credits at IBDb |
 |
"Charlie Chan: Five Complete Novels" by Earl Derr Biggers [1981]
includes "The House Without A Key", "The Chinese Parrot", "Behind That Curtain", "The Black Camel" & "Keeper of The Keys" Avenel Books hardcover [12/88] out of print/used "Celebrated Cases of Charlie Chan" [Bobbs-Merrill 1930]
|
 |
Charlie Chan Volume 1: "The House Without A Key" & "The Chinese Parrot"
Leonaur Ltd. UK 8¼x5½ pb [7/2007] for $18.02 Leonaur Ltd. UK 8½x6 hardcover [7/2007] for $34.99 Charlie Chan Volume 2: "Behind That Curtain" & "The Black Camel" Leonaur Ltd. UK 8¼x5½ pb [7/2007] for $22.99 Leonaur Ltd. UK 8½x5½ hardcover [8/2007] for $34.99 Charlie Chan Volume 3: "Charlie Chan Carries On" & "Keeper of the Keys" Leonaur Ltd. UK 8½x5½ pb [7/2007] for $21.99 Leonaur Ltd. UK 8½x5¾ hardcover [8/2007] for $31.20 |
Charlie Chan Novels by Other Authors
 |
"Charlie Chan in The Temple of The Golden Horde" [2003] by Michael Collins (under the pseudonym Robert Hart Davis) Charlie investigates a shadowy ancient Oriental cult that may be connected to modern crime and a series of recent murders. Wildside Press 8¼x5½ pb [12/2004] for $12.99 Wildside Press 8½x5½ hardcover [3/2003] for $29.95 |
 |
"Charlie Chan in The Pawns of Death" [2002] by Bill Pronzini & Jeffrey M. Wallmann (under the pseudonym Robert Hart Davis) A French policeman asks for help from vacationing famous detective Charlie Chan after two murders at the Transcontinental Chess Tournament. Borgo Press mass pb [8/2003] for $12.99 Wildside Press 8½x5½ hardcover [12/2002] for $29.95 |
 |
"Charlie Chan and The Curse of The Dragon Queen" [1981] novelization of the film by Michael Avallone A San Francisco detective asks retired detective Charlie Chan for help solving a series of murders; the primary suspect is an enemy from Chan's past known as the Dragon Queen. Pinnacle Books mass pb [1/81] out of print/used based on the 1981 movie starring Peter Ustinov: full credits at IMDb |
|
|
"Charlie Chan Returns" [1974] novelization of the TV film by Dennis Lynds Charlie investigates a murder on the yacht of a Greek tycoon. Bantam mass pb [1/74] out of print/used based on the 1973 N.B.C. tv movie: full credits at IMDb |
Earl Derr Biggers's Other Works
 | "Seven Keys To Baldpate" [1913 play]
After a bet that he can write a novel in 24 hours, a writer agrees to use a remote cabin for seclusion, but many other people have keys to the cabin. Wildside Press 8¾x6 pb [1/2005] for $13.65 Kessinger Publng 9x6 pb [6/2007] for $28.08 Wildside Press 9x6 hardcover [4/2003] for $35.00 Broadway play credits at IBDb adapted as feature films "Seven Keys To Baldpate" in 1917 {silent} starring George M. Cohan; 1925 {silent}; 1929 {sound} starring Richard Dix; 1935 & 1947; adapted for tv movie in 1946; and adapted as "House of The Long Shadows" [1983] starring Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing & John Carradine |
 |
"Love Insurance" [1914 novel]
Wildside Press 8¾x6 pb [7/2003] for $19.99 Wildside Press 9x6 hardcover [7/2003] for $35.00 adapted as feature films "Love Insurance" [1919 silent]; "The Reckless Age" [1924 silent] starring Reginald Denny; and "One Night In The Tropics" {below} |
 |
"One Night In The Tropics" [Universal Oct 1940]
A musical-comedy based on the 1914 novel "Love Insurance" by Earl Derr Biggers; famed as the movie debut of the Abbott & Costello comedy team. Jim, an insurance salesman, sells Steve a policy that will pay Steve if his fianc้e won't marry him; nightclub owner Roscoe backs the policy, Jim starts to fall for the girl, and Roscoe hires two stooges to make sure that Steve & the girl marry. Directed by A. Edward Sutherland; original music by Jerome Kern; starring Allan Jones, Robert Cummings, Nancy Kelly, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Mary Boland, William Frawley, Peggy Moran & Leo Carrillo b&w DVD available as part of "Best of Abbott & Costello Volume 1" box set Universal b&w VHS [1/98] out of prodn/many used full credits from IMDb |
 |
"Inside The Lines" [February 1915 play; Bobbs-Merrill novel 1915] Play written by Earl Derr Biggers; novelization by Robert Welles Ritchie A female spy for Germany poses as the long-lost friend of a woman with access to information on the British fleet in Gibraltar; the spy's former boyfriend plays along, hoping to figure out what she is up to. Wildside Press 8½x6 pb [8/2003] for $19.95 Wildside Press hardcover [8/2003] for $39.95 play credits at Internet Broadway Database adapted as feature films in 1918 {silent} and 1930 |
 |
"The Agony Column" [1916 novel]
An American visiting London makes the mistake of checking the personals column and finds himself mixed up in murder! Wildside Press 9x6 pb [1/2005] for $12.50 Wildside Press 9½x6 hardcover [9/2003] for $22.95 adapted as feature films "The Blind Adventure" [1918 silent] and "The Second Floor Mystery" [1930] starring Grant Withers, Loretta Young & H.B. Warner |
"The Gown of Destiny" silent movie [Triangle Dec 1917]
Written & directed by Lynn Reynolds; video/DVD not available;
full credits from IMDb
"A Cure For Curables" Broadway play [February 1918]
play credits at Internet Broadway Database
"See-Saw" Broadway musical [September 1919]
Victrola Publng pb [1919] out of print/rare
play credits at Internet Broadway Database
"Three's A Crowd" Broadway comedy [December 1919]
play credits at Internet Broadway Database
"Her Face Value" silent movie [Realart/Paramount Oct 1921]
full credits from IMDb
"The Ruling Passion" silent movie [United Artists Jan 1922]
Starring George Arliss; full credits from IMDb
"Trouping With Ellen" silent movie [Producers Distributing Oct 1924]
Starring Basil Rathbone; full credits from IMDb
"The Man Upstairs" silent movie [Warner Bros. Jan 1926]
full credits from IMDb
 |
"Fifty Candles" [1926 novel]
Strait-laced Bostonian bond trader Winthrop, on his way home from Hawaii {in a sort of sequel to "The House Without A Key" [1925]} finds romance and more in San Fran- cisco; he and attorney Mark Drew are accused of a murder during a birthday party. Wildside Press 8¾x5¾ pb [1/2003] for $12.99 Buccaneer Books 9x5¾ hardcover [6/79] for $25.95 silent feature film [1921]: full credits at IMDb |
"Honeymoon Flats" silent movie [Universal April 1928]
full credits from IMDb
"The Millionaire" movie [Warner Bros. May 1931]
Starring George & Florence Arliss, James Cagney & Noah Beery; full credits from IMDb
 |
"Earl Derr Biggers Tells Ten Stories" [short stories 1933] Bobbs-Merrill hardcover [1933] out of print/used |
novel "The Deuce of Hearts"
basis for the 'lost' film "Take The Stand" [Liberty Films Sept 1934]
Starring Jack La Rue & Thelma Todd; full credits from IMDb
"That Way With Women" movie [Warner Bros. Feb 1947]
Starring Dane Clark, Martha Vickers & Sydney Greenstreet; full credits from IMDb
on page one: Links Charlie Chan Movies
here on page two: movies starring Roland Winters (1947-49)
Earl Derr Biggers [1884-1933] Charlie Chan Novels Books About Charlie Chan
Online sales in association with 
and ![Charlie Chan posters at AllPosters [dot] com](images/allposters.gif){kind=small}
top of this page back to Movie Series & Comedy Teams Page