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
"Why, Mr. Chan here is a detective, isn't he? A detective on a vacation. If you've ever read a mystery story you know that a detective never works so hard as when he's on a vacation. He's like the postman who goes for a long walk on his day off." Bob Eden, The Chinese Parrot, 1926, … Continue reading Book Release: The Wisdom Within Earl Derr Biggers’ Charlie Chan. Finally!
Beachcomber: traveler, wander, loafer, hobo, vagabond, tramp, homeless person. If you've read the fourth Charlie Chan novel, The Black Camel (1929), then you are familiar with "Smith, the beachcomber." Mr. Archie Smith a hopeful artist returning from the South Seas painting the scenery, got off a passing vessel intending to leave Hawaii. However, he got … Continue reading Lucky you live Hawaii! That is unless you are like Mr. Smith, the beachcomber.
OK, I admit it, goldarn is actually one word. But I already typed it (and I like it better separated) so we'll leave that alone. However, what REALLY irks me is a famous misquote I hear--and see--over and over again! Here is the quote from the 1929 novel, The Black Camel. Charlie Chan has just … Continue reading Gol Darn it! That black camel was “unbid,” not “unbidden.”
History doth repeat itself! Once upon a time Author Earl Derr Biggers wrote a novel, The Chinese Parrot (1926). This second in the Detective Charlie Chan series featured an Australian Gray Parrot named "Tony," who spoke--you guessed it--Chinese. And in more recent times Biggers' biographer, Author Barbara Gregorich, wrote about another bird: the sensation of … Continue reading Birds of a feather: Tony the Parrot & Cookie the Cockatoo.
Cats are famous (or infamous depending on your point of view) for chasing birds. With stealth-like prowess the cat remains still as a statue until the unsuspecting bird, detecting no movement, feels safe. Then...they pounce! So is the case we have here with the Charlie Chan film The Chinese Cat (1944), Monogram Pictures Corporation. Here … Continue reading The Chinese Cat (1944): a nod to The Maltese Falcon (1941)?
World Book Night is April 23, 2022 (Yes, that was no slip of the pen...Book Night!) We are on a mission and YOU may be our last hope! Members of the Charlie Chan Family Home have been searching for either the book or an explanation of the book jacket titled, Romantic Moon. It can be … Continue reading “Calling all cars. Calling all cars!” Be on the lookout for book titled: Romantic Moon.
Impossible? Or perhaps inevitable we will see the return of Charlie Chan on film? If you think no one’s thought about it here are two attempts (though they never came about) to feature Russell Wong (1997) and Lucy Liu (2006) as additions to the Chan Family. But I'll be candid! I’m not speaking of the … Continue reading Who’s your pick to next portray Charlie Chan at the box office?
Last month I suggested four summertime reads, but ended on this note, “should a reader prefer all his or her murders served-up on one delicious plate, just read the fifth Charlie Chan novel, Charlie Chan Carries On (1930.)” Here is a wonderful review by someone who has read that novel at least four times, and … Continue reading Book review by Author Barbara Gregorich: Charlie Chan Carries On (1930)
“Are you an ‘Eastsider’ or ‘Westsider’?” I often heard that question growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young boy living in the “southern burbs” I never gave it much thought. It wasn’t until much later I realized it meant do you hail from the east- or west-side of the Cuyahoga River. The river divides … Continue reading North, South, East, or West, summertime sleuthing can be best!
Like most of us Detective Charlie Chan, Mrs. Chan and their 11 children have sheltered-in-place, weathering the pandemic at thier home on Punchbowl Hill. However, he did manage to send this message via wireless telegraph: World situation worsens [STOP] Humbly suggest you offer faithful followers alternative to only six detective novels of self [STOP] Deepest … Continue reading No, Chien this time…not Chan!
The Postman on Holiday 