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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 18, 2017 22:59:23 GMT
In case anyone here is interested (if you are, please let me know!), I just started a poll for everyone's favorite Charlie Chan picture in the "Polls" category.
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 18, 2017 23:05:09 GMT
#1 -- CC at Treasure Island
#2 -- CC at the Opera
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 18, 2017 23:10:35 GMT
#1 -- CC at Treasure Island #2 -- CC at the Opera Thanks for responding, Matt! Could you vote in the poll by any chance?
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 18, 2017 23:14:37 GMT
Yep, will do.
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 18, 2017 23:40:45 GMT
Thankee!
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 18, 2017 23:42:36 GMT
By the way, I've been thinking of allowing up to 3 choices instead of just one. What do you think?
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 18, 2017 23:44:39 GMT
Good idea -- go for three.
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 18, 2017 23:50:10 GMT
Just did it. Unfortunately, I didn't see any way to change it after voting has already happened, so I had to scrap that whole poll and start again--it's the same thing, just with the choice number (capacity?) altered. Sorry about that!
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 18, 2017 23:54:40 GMT
Does that mean I have to vote AGAIN??
(sigh) back to the salt mines.
JK -- glad to do it.
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Post by Doghouse6 on Apr 18, 2017 23:56:48 GMT
I voted in the poll, but it was difficult, because it's really a toss-up between the earliest extant (The Black Camel) and the very last of the Warner Olands (...In Monte Carlo). I could have checked "other" and written in the latter, but since it was listed, I checked the former.
Among the things for which I enjoy The Black Camel are the Honolulu shooting locations, the unexpected chemistry between Oland and Bela Lugosi, exuberant supporting performances from the likes of Robert Young and Dwight Frye, and the overall freshness of this early effort predating anything formulaic.
...In Monte Carlo: again, chemistry. The engaging byplay between Oland and the endlessly versatile Harold Huber, in an unusually charming role as the enthusiastic Insp. Joubert, is lively and irresistible. By this stage of the series, the formula was evident, but had been honed to silky-smooth perfection. It's a sweet and lovely farewell for Oland to both Chan and a 25-year film career.
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Post by Doghouse6 on Apr 19, 2017 0:01:02 GMT
Just did it. Unfortunately, I didn't see any way to change it after voting has already happened, so I had to scrap that whole poll and start again--it's the same thing, just with the choice number (capacity?) altered. Sorry about that! Oh, now you tell me. Never mind: serves me right for not engaging in my usual procrastination. I went back and re-did my vote(s). Thanx.
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 19, 2017 0:45:10 GMT
mattgarth To the salt mines it is with you, then! Or to Bogeyland, to throw in a random reference to March of the Wooden Soldiers. (Hey, if you don't want Laurel & Hardy references every other sentence...read someone else's posts! ) Honestly, thanks for doing that. I think doing three choices is probably a better idea. I agree with you on ... at Treasure Island and ... in Egypt, but I had trouble choosing between ... in Paris and ... at the Opera. I eventually went with the former because it's less well-known (and because it has Ruth Peterson in it). Doghouse6 Thanks, Doghouse! I read your comments on the Chans on the "whodunits" thread, and they're as well-expressed and intelligent as always. Sorry, sorry, about the voting bit. I guess I'll trudge off to Bogeyland with Matt... Seriously, though, I agree with you about the unexpected chemistry between Oland and Lugosi in The Black Camel. The best parts of that picture, for me, were the two of them and the location shooting in Hawaii. As others have remarked, Oland's performance is slightly more hard-edged, and this tension is curious (quite different from Oland's later interpretation but far more loyal to Biggers's books)--similar to what you noted in your post about Columbo and Prescription: Murder. I know I must have seen ... in Monte Carlo; I'll have to give it another look, though, for I can't remember anything at the moment! Thanks again, as always!
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Post by Doghouse6 on Apr 19, 2017 1:37:10 GMT
I read your comments on the Chans on the "whodunits" thread... Aha! No wonder my remarks today sounded so familiar when I was writing them. Thought I was having déjà vu, but it turned out to be nothing more than an attack of consistency. Now I have to decide which description thereof I'd prefer: Ralph Waldo Emerson's or Oscar Wilde's. This much is certain: your memory proved sharper than mine!
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 19, 2017 2:04:06 GMT
I read your comments on the Chans on the "whodunits" thread... Aha! No wonder my remarks today sounded so familiar when I was writing them. Thought I was having déjà vu, but it turned out to be nothing more than an attack of consistency. Now I have to decide which description thereof I'd prefer: Ralph Waldo Emerson's or Oscar Wilde's. This much is certain: your memory proved sharper than mine! No worries, Doghouse! I should emphasize that, as you probably know, Emerson's quotation goes "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." That's a point that is often forgotten, because not every consistency is foolish! And, pace the great Mr. Wilde, not every one is unimaginative either. Far from it, old boy.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Apr 19, 2017 2:11:56 GMT
A year or so ago I watched many Oland Chans, starting with The Black Camel, though I don't think I made it to Monte Carlo. I was struck by the character's similarities to Columbo, which I addressed briefly in the Columbo thread on Classic TV '70s. Apparently another poster addressed the same subject in the Whodunits thread, which I haven't read. As far as I know William Link has never cited Chan as an influence, although there are definitely similarities, notably the politeness.
An interesting aspect of the earlier Chans is their presentation of Chan as a family man, with his numerous children. I believe TBC has a memorable shot of the entire Chan clan around the dinner table. IIRC they also all go to the circus in one film. Otherwise the family aspect is mostly whittled down to Keye Luke as the delightfully Americanized Number One Son.
Another thing also stands out about The Black Camel -- the beach scenes are so windy it looks like the cast is in the middle of a hurricane. I don't recall Hawaii-50 ever having so much trouble with a location shoot.
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 19, 2017 13:47:49 GMT
A year or so ago I watched many Oland Chans, starting with The Black Camel, though I don't think I made it to Monte Carlo. I was struck by the character's similarities to Columbo, which I addressed briefly in the Columbo thread on Classic TV '70s. Apparently another poster addressed the same subject in the Whodunits thread, which I haven't read. As far as I know William Link has never cited Chan as an influence, although there are definitely similarities, notably the politeness. An interesting aspect of the earlier Chans is their presentation of Chan as a family man, with his numerous children. I believe TBC has a memorable shot of the entire Chan clan around the dinner table. IIRC they also all go to the circus in one film. Otherwise the family aspect is mostly whittled down to Keye Luke as the delightfully Americanized Number One Son. Another thing also stands out about The Black Camel -- the beach scenes are so windy it looks like the cast is in the middle of a hurricane. I don't recall Hawaii-50 ever having so much trouble with a location shoot. Excellent, Richard! I had never really thought about Chan's influence on Columbo, but now that you point it out, it's obvious! Do you have a favorite or favorites? Is The Black Camel one of your favorites?
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Post by snsurone on Apr 19, 2017 16:05:50 GMT
I do like CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA, but I do wish an additional scene was shot for the ending--a scene of Granville, fully recovered, performing again at the opera, with his daughter, her fiance, and the Chan family in attendance. As it is, the ending is just too abrupt.
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 19, 2017 16:09:57 GMT
I do like CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA, but I do wish an additional scene was shot for the ending--a scene of Granville, fully recovered, performing again at the opera, with his daughter, her fiancee, and the Chan family in attendance. As it is, the ending is just too abrupt. Thanks for chiming in, Snsurone! I too like Charlie Chan at the Opera. (The ending is a trifle abrupt, but, then, so are many of these, for whatever reason. If you want a really abrupt ending, check out the otherwise enjoyable Night of the Party, with an over-the-top performance from Ernest Thesiger.) Would you mind casting a vote for it, and/or for another of your favorite Chans, in the poll?
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Post by snsurone on Apr 19, 2017 16:18:15 GMT
I'm sorry, Sal, but I really can't. I've never seen a Charlie Chan movie that I didn't like.
However, if you pressed me, I'd have to vote for CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS. I love the newsreel footage of the real thing, especially Jesse Owens' gold medal performance. What a slap in the face to Hitler's concept of "Aryan superiority"! And I also loved #1 Son's prize-winning performance on the swim team.
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Post by Nalkarj on Apr 19, 2017 16:21:16 GMT
Well, yes, of course; I like nearly all of the Chans too. But I'm sure you have favorites, which is the point of the poll. That doesn't mean you dislike any of them, just that you have certain favorites. Right, snsurone?
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