A place to explore all things surrounding Detective Charlie Chan, his creator Earl Derr Biggers, and their connection with Hawaii, Ohio and mystery fiction. – LOU ARMAGNO
It's Christmas Eve, circa 1960! The aluminum tree is up and the children are nestled all snug in their beds. It's time to fill those stockings hung by the chimney with care. You grab the old favorites: some jacks, a sliding puzzle square or Chinese-finger puzzle, a yo-yo, cap bombs, a ping pong paddle or … Continue reading This year’s holiday stocking stuffer…Cherry CHAN Candy!
Ah November-December, the year's end approaches and dining-out at festive gatherings abounds! Why not step away from the customary turkey or ham that will no doubt be proffered you this holiday, and get a little adventurous! There still exists a few Charlie Chan establishments in operation! Here are those I could find open and some … Continue reading Those Charlie Chan Eateries!
EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066: The President Authorizes Japanese Relocation, (February 19, 1942) Otto Yamaoka & Spencer Tracy Actor Otto Yamaoka was an American citizen, born 1904 in Seattle, WA. Until the 1940s he had a successful career in film, staring in no less than 31 films. He would act in some film classics: The letter (1940), … Continue reading The true, sad events surrounding actor Otto Yamaoka; “Kashimo” from Chan film, The Black Camel.
The Sidekick, we all love them. Robinson Crusoe had his man Friday and Tom Sawyer had Huckleberry Finn. And while Batman had Robin, Tony Stark engaged a computer-interface language system, J.A.R.V.I.S.--Just A Rather Very Intelligent System (in case you didn't know.) But it can also get lonely when one is trying to solve those little … Continue reading Those loveable “Sidekicks!” Who’s your favorite?
“Where were you the night of August 26, 1884?” Personally, to borrow a line from Nora Charles, The Thin Man, 1934, “I was just a twinkle in my father’s eye.” (Though in my case it would be my grandfather’s eye!) In 1920, while vacationing in Honolulu, Hawaii, Author Earl Derr Biggers thought of the perfect … Continue reading Ten ways to celebrate Ohio Author Earl Derr Biggers’ 135th birthday – August 26th, 2019!
I have a confession…I’m a philatelist. There I said it! Yes, I collect stamps. More specific, for a while I was hell bent on making my own cachet envelopes (that’s an envelope with a picture that's stamped, printed, or embossed below the return address). I made them to have first day postmarks cancelled on them … Continue reading Charlie Chan at the Museum! Not the movie; Cleveland and Honolulu Police Museums.
Actually, up to four players for these exciting card and board games—read on! Before the internet, cell phones, X-box, and on-line gaming, people more often gathered at a neighbor's or relative's house for a good old-fashioned game night. This might be a card game, such as: Bridge, Pinochle, or Hearts. Or it could entail a … Continue reading Two can play at that game Mr. Chan…and I never lose!
You can't always judge a book by it's cover. Well, maybe not; however, those "KILLER COVERS" can certainly help sell books! And that is the very name of a super-cool blog I recently discovered by J. Kingston Pierce! Titled KILLER COVERS it is a companion to another blog edited by Mr. Pierce, The Rap Sheet. (one of the … Continue reading KILLER COVERS: a blog by J. Kingston Pierce – Under the Covers with Charlie Chan
“Mr. Chan, allow me introduce Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley, who also holds title as 8th Earle of Asherton. Lord Lynley, meet our guest Inspector Charlie Chan of the Honolulu police.” “Hello Inspector Chan,” said Lynley. “Your reputation precedes you. I’ve heard many accounts of your accolades from our mutual friend, Inspector … Continue reading Two World-Class Sleuths: One Small Burg – Warren, Ohio
Author and playwright Earl Derr Biggers was an exceptional “Reconteur” (from Old French meaning to tell). And like any good storyteller he drew from his own experiences and quite often from real life. Here are some real-life associations, comparisons, and even an anagram, which the author may have borrowed from or used in writing his … Continue reading The Chinese Parrot…Well, perhaps not!
The Postman on Holiday 