The mostly invisible, but highly significant Charlie Chan Actor: George Kuwa

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 … Continue reading The mostly invisible, but highly significant Charlie Chan Actor: George Kuwa →

January 31, 1925, The Saturday Evening Post, Chapter 7 – Enter Charlie Chan!

By now everyone should be aware this year marks the 100th anniversary of Earl Derr Biggers' novel, The House Without a Key, 1925. And that the story was first serialized in seven editions of The Saturday Evening Post, beginning with the January 24, 1925 edition. However, it was not until the next week, January 31, … Continue reading January 31, 1925, The Saturday Evening Post, Chapter 7 – Enter Charlie Chan! →

A Centennial: The House Without a Key (1925) and Charlie Chan are turning 100!

HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI HOU or Happy New Year everyone! Especially those born in the Year of The Snake. And a special year indeed for Detective Charlie Chan fans! That first novel (in the title above) was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post over seven-weekly editions, beginning January 24th, 1925. Later that year it was released as … Continue reading A Centennial: The House Without a Key (1925) and Charlie Chan are turning 100! →

Celebrate Earl Derr Biggers’ birthday at “Earl’s,” the new Halekulani beachside bar!

This month we celebrate Ohio Author and Charlie Chan creator Earl Derr Biggers' 139th birthday (August 26, 1884) heading to Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and the Halekulani Hotel's newest edition: Earl's Beachside Bar inside their famed House Without A Key Restaurant. House Without A Key Oceanside bar & restaurant, photos courtesy … Continue reading Celebrate Earl Derr Biggers’ birthday at “Earl’s,” the new Halekulani beachside bar! →

PUNAHAO, home to the night-blooming Cereus Flower!

Having grown up in the Midwest (Ohio) I vividly recall the harsh winters of my youth, standing outside in the ice and snow shivering as I waited for the school bus to arrive. Following that, 19 more years of snow, boots, jackets and gloves in Upstate New York and Central Germany. So it was exhilarating … Continue reading PUNAHAO, home to the night-blooming Cereus Flower! →

Chan & Holmes, two sides of a coin – a comparison and contrast!

"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! →

Those loveable “Sidekicks!” Who’s your favorite?

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? →

Ten ways to celebrate Ohio Author Earl Derr Biggers’ 135th birthday – August 26th, 2019!

“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! →

Two World-Class Sleuths: One Small Burg – Warren, Ohio

“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 →

Warren, Ohio’s month-long celebration of Author Earl Derr Biggers, March 2018

Most of us familiar with the fictional sleuth Charlie Chan are aware he was created by Author Earl Derr Biggers, born Warren, Ohio, August 26, 1884. To my great surprise, while glancing through the Warren-Trumbull County Library’s website I saw under their “One Book/One Community” program, their title book for March 2018 was none other than … Continue reading Warren, Ohio’s month-long celebration of Author Earl Derr Biggers, March 2018 →