Before Roland Winters, before Sidney Toler, even before Warner Oland starred as Charlie Chan; Japanese born actor George Kuwa was the first to play the detective in a 1926, ten-episode serial, The House Without a Key. This immediately following publication of that first Chan story “House” the previous year; a foreshadowing Detective Chan was here to stay.
Why was this important? Because it contradicts the widespread belief that Hollywood never cast an Asian Actor in the role of Charlie Chan. Not only did George Kuwa get cast as Charlie Chan in that first Pathé Exchange serial, he was also cast as Louie Wong (pictured at top) in the second attempt at a Chan film, Universal Pictures Corporations’ The Chinese Parrot (1927); while another Asian actor was cast in the part of Detective Charlie Chan, Japanese Actor Kamiyama Sojin.
And if that doesn’t take the cake, well guess what? Yep, the third attempt at a Chan film Behind That Curtain (1929,) featured yet another Asian as Detective Chan, Chinese-American, E. L. Park.
So why the whitewashing (Caucasians in Asian face?) Well, first of all it was an acceptable practice of the day. Secondly, and more important, they wanted to make money. Let’s face it these actors were probably not given much “artistic freedom” in their parts, which were minimal at best. And they were probably directed to act more characteristically Asian by producers and directors. Despite the popularity of the novels, these first film attempts were not very successful. So to meet their audiences’ expectations, Hollywood combined the current American perception of a “subservient Asian” with the mannerisms of an “assertive American” detective via the whitewashing. An in between Character. One who would not offend their viewers (Caucasians mainly, who likely submitted to the current Anti-Asian Sentiment of the time,) yet make them feel good about this Chinese Detective, who was a “do-gooder.” A sort of mental penance or balancing act for their audience. And with forty-four films…it apparently worked!
So this month lift your tea cup in a toast as we celebrate the 140th birthday of Actor George Kuwa. Now in the heavens joined with his honorable ancestors, George had the distinction of being the first actor to portray Detective Charlie Chan. George had sixty-six acting credits to his name. If you’d like to see them they are here on the IMDb website, George Kuwa.
Born: April 7, 1885 – Died: October 13, 1931(46)
“In our business, most innocent-looking minnow may suddenly enlarge to a whale.”
Keeper of The Keys, 1932, Chapter 9
The Postman on Holiday 