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
HAPPY 2023 everyone...we made it! As previously reported last year (my August 2022 Biggers' Birthday post), in 1925 the Honolulu Tourism Bureau presented Author Earl Derr Biggers with an honorary Key to The City of Honolulu. This was in appreciation for the overwhelming good will and publicity his first Charlie Chan novel, The House Without … Continue reading One other “Earl” was gifted a Key to The City of Honolulu.
This month we're celebrating Ohio Author Earl Derr Biggers 137th birthday (August 26, 1884) with a look at Seven Keys Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado. The lodge bears tribute to Biggers, but one surprisingly not related to his fictional Detective Charlie Chan! Rather, built in 1917 it pays homage to Biggers' first successful mystery novel, … Continue reading Need a place to write that mystery? Seven Keys Lodge in Colorado has a history of mystery!
John Noland Life can indeed be ironic--grave and tragically ironic. Three years ago this month, June 15th, 2018, the family of John Noland made the heavy-hearted decision to disconnect John from life support. In his own small way (as we all are) John was a hero of sorts, most notably for me within the world … Continue reading One last Aloha’oe (fond farewell) to John Noland and his comic strip “Chinatown Cop.”
Haven't we all brooded over a holiday season or two, deep with regret Author Earl Derr Biggers never got the chance to pen a Charlie Chan Christmas mystery? OK, perhaps that never topped your list of major heartbreaks, but it's still a shame. I mean who doesn't love a good holiday "who done it?" Good … Continue reading The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus – A Charlie Chan mystery!
This year the 51st Anniversary Bouchercon is being held Virtually, October 16 - 17, 2020 from Sacramento California. So I'm breaking my once-monthly blog rule to share my first time with you... The fall of 2012, I attended my first Bouchercon (famed world mystery convention.) I was ecstatic it was being held in my hometown … Continue reading Everyone remembers their first time! Mine–October 2012.
Get ready for some feet tappin' and finger snappin'! We're celebrating Charlie Chan creator Author Earl Derr Biggers’ 136th birthday this month (August 26, 1884) with some sweet sounds germane to one of America's first "icons" of mystery fiction. Most mystery buffs easily recognize the theme song for their favorite sleuth: Peter Gunn, Mike Hammer, … Continue reading Celebrate! A “musical montage” for Charlie Chan creator Earl Derr Biggers’ 136th Birthday, August 26th.
"Being from different eras and cultures, any 'rivalry' between the two detectives would probably be something akin to soccer (football) and baseball...both are popular across the globe, but are unique in their following!" -- Rush Glick, Webmaster The Charlie Chan Family Home The above statement by Mr. Glick is a good analogy and so true. … Continue reading Chan & Holmes, two sides of a coin – a comparison and contrast!
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?
The Postman on Holiday 