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
Welcome to our 7th annual recap of happenings throughout the year at Webmaster Rush Glick’s website The Charlie Chan Family Home. Inside you'll find: 2024 a summary of happening throughout the year. Webmaster Rush Glick's "A Renewed Quest." After 20-plus year he returns to the film library on the campus of the University of Southern California … Continue reading The 2024 Charlie Chan Family Home Newsletter
I want to thank Author John L. Swann and Nicholas K. Burns Publishing, Utica New York, for the read ahead copy to Mr. Swann's second Charlie Chan novella, The Tangled String. It was released November 25th, 2024 available wherever books are sold and just in time for Christmas. The story takes place in Boston, where … Continue reading Book Review: The Tangled String, A Charlie Chan Mystery by John L. Swann
Oh, if they'd only devote this much effort into getting a haircut, a job and becoming a decent member of society. But like Forest told us, "stupid is as stupid does." (Actually I think his momma always said that.) Once again the holidays approach. And those who do dastardly deeds, like the porch pirates, are … Continue reading Seasons Greetings with MAIL SCAMs: a txt msg, counterfeit stamps & a surprise package!
October is World Mental Health Awareness month; October 10th World Mental Health Day. This month's post originated from discussion with Charlie Chan Family Home member, Michael Votta Jr. (aka: "Mike in D.C." to the Chan Family Home clan.) Professor Votta, currently serves as Interim Director of The School of Music and Director of Bands, University … Continue reading Mental Health Awareness: Composer Oscar Levant & Charlie Chan at the Opera.
Call me dense (I never was a history buff,) but it took me a few decades to realized why the book cover for the very first book of Charlie Chan aphorisms Quotations from Charlie Chan, January 1967, looks the way it does. It was purposely meant to mimic another prominent writing Quotations from Chairman Mao … Continue reading Two “little red books” of aphorisms: one $250,000 the other $5.99!
I'm sneaking in a extra blog this month as we reach a significant milestone in the world of Charlie Chan; celebrated Author Earl Derr Biggers' 140th Birthday (August 26th, 1884!) Here are a few fun ways from my past blog archives to help us celebrate Charlie Chan Poppa's birthday...TODAY! With Music: Cab Calloway's 1940 hit, … Continue reading Today! We send Happy 140th B-day wishes to Ohio Author Earl Derr Biggers!
Happy 140th Birthday wishes to Earl Derr Biggers this month, August 26, 1884. OK, take a deep breath now and let it out slowly. If you are a serious Charlie Chan fan your initial reaction might be to pommel me with innuendos, barbs, insults and possibly a face slap or two. But wait! If only … Continue reading Oh No! Could it be his name was actually “Charles” and not “Charlie” Chan?
Could it be? Was there really one? That is a question I can answer for you unequivocally, "No, there was never a Charlie Chan PEZ dispenser." But why not? Let's take a look at some of the PEZ dispensers over the years. Some within my own (sorry to admit this) bygone collection of 450+ dispensers … Continue reading So was there ever a Charlie Chan PEZ dispenser?
They started as A-movies, original adaptations of the novels, when Fox Studios first produced them. However, Author Earl Derr Biggers only penned six Charlie Chan novels before his death. So after their fifth Chan film, Fox decided to take their detective around the world in B-movies; low budget films made in record time with little … Continue reading B-Movies? Perhaps, but the Charlie Chan films sure bagged some star power!
Where were you on the night of April 3rd, 2024 at 12:30PM? Well OK, that's actually in the afternoon but I was trying to be melodramatic. However, if you were not at the University of Minnesota's, St. Paul Campus, Magrath Library, Room 4, then you likely missed Len Freeman's course, Charlie Chan and Friends. Yes … Continue reading Get “schooled” in the land of Chan with this OLLI 5-week course at Univ. of Minnesota!
The Postman on Holiday 