The text of our Charlie Chan Family Chat for January 18, 2021
Feature:
The Black Camel
Extra:
The Baffling Murder of Col. Willoughby (Part 4)
Participants:
Dona
Godwinshelley2
hounder
Len Freeman
Louise
Matt1
PaulM
Rush
Sarabell/Sarabell2
Rush has joined this room
Rush:
Matt1 has joined this room
Matt1: Hello Rush!
Rush: Hello, Matt!
Rush: reat to see you tonight, as always!
Matt1: Hope all is well on the west coast?
Rush: How’s the tooth doing?
Matt1: Much better, thnx!
Rush: As well as can be expected!
Rush: How about your region?
Rush: Good to hear, matt!
Matt1: Numbers are still high, but FL is open for biz
Rush: I know how painfil that can be!
Rush: That’s good.
Rush: Open for business is what is needed…sorely.
Rush: My favorite Chan movie tonight!
Rush: “The Black Camel”
Matt1: Yes…priority here is the 65+ for vaccine, which makes sense
Matt1: Mine too….It’s like a true start to CC for me
Rush: Marie is taking her mom in tomorrow for the vaccine.
Rush: Yes…I agree about that being the true start!
Rush: The other things can be considered a warm-up!
Matt1: I just wish we could see the lost films after BC and see how Oland adapted to the role
Rush: Yes!
Matt1: How he grew
Rush: That would be great.
Rush: Sadly, they are all pretty lost!
Matt1: We see that with Toler and Winters, but I feel we are missing out with Oland
Matt1: Yes, sadly
Rush: I have always said, it’s a big world with many places to “hide” a film or two!
Rush: One never knows…
Matt1: Continue to keep the faith!
Rush: Indeed!
hounder has joined this room
Matt1: Hello Hounder!
Rush: Hello, Hounder!
Rush: Good evening to you!
hounder: hi matt and rush
Rush: I hope you and your mom are well tonight.
hounder: pretty well. and you?
Sarabell has joined this room
Matt1: Hello SB!
Rush: WELCOME, Sarabell!
Sarabell: Hello all!
hounder: hi sarabel. welcome back
Sarabell: Thank you. I could not figure out getting back in. Movie started?
Rush: We will be listening to the radio mystery in 11 minutes…
Matt1: Ready here!
Rush: No…movie starts at 15 after the hour….first we can listen to the radio drama!
Sarabell: Ok thanks. Slow learner here
Rush: See the link above, Sarabell, for “The Baffling Murder of Col. Willoughby?”
Rush: No problem, Sarabell!
Rush: If you click on that link, a second windoe will open with the radio show.
Rush: Just pause it once you open it.
Rush: I just opened mine!
hounder: ready here. as long as mom doesn’t decide to go to bed. :}
Rush: We will start it in 8 minutes…
Rush: It runs for 15 minutes.
Rush: Okay, Hounder….
sarabell2 has joined this room
Rush: Are you able to open the link, Sarabell?
Rush: Welcome back!
Matt1: wb SB2!
Rush: 7 minutes…
sarabell2: You will have to put up with me, Sarabell and Sarabell2. I have glitches in my laptop and had to open on my phone. Both are me, I am embarrassed to say.
Rush: No problem at all, SB!!!
hounder: no problem sarabel. we’ve all been there. i think i was here 3 times 1 night
Rush: When I was away from home recently, i needed to chat on my phone and use my daughter’s phone to follow along whith the movie!
Rush: Yes, Hounder!
Rush: It has happened to me, too!
Rush: We are here for FUN, not perfection!!!
sarabell2: You make me feel better. Hope your mom is OK. Can you believe it, my family comes to me to fix tvs, systems etc. I just mash buttons till something works
Rush: 4 minutes to go…
hounder: lol@sarabel. that’s a plan.
Rush: If that works, that’s good, SB!!!
Rush: I function on the principle of “trial and error” myself!
Rush: 3 minutes….
sarabell2: I have gotten better. I used to be incapable of hooking up receivers with speakers and TVs, and now I can do it all with help from Youtube tutorials.
Sarabell has left this room
Rush: There you go!!
hounder: i don’t. you can tell me what to do, watch me do it and i still end up somewhere else.
Rush: 2 minutes…
Rush: 90 seconds…
Rush: we will be running our radio show in 75 seconds…
Rush: Just unpause as the countdawn reaches zero…
Rush: 50 seconds…
Rush: 40 seconds…
Rush: 30 seconds…
Rush: 25..
Rush: 20…
Rush: 15…
Rush: 10…
Rush: 5…
Rush: GO!!!
Rush: Intor music…
Rush: it is lengthy…
Rush: That gave local stations the chance to read their commercials.
Rush: Announcer.
Rush: Recap of the previous episodes…
sarabell2: That is so interesting.
Rush: And the episode resumes….
Rush: Irish accented police officer.
sarabell2: They were used to fighting
Rush: Yes, they had a rough time early on. Serving in the police force offered them a chance to move up in society.
sarabell2: I have a lot of Irish ancestry, as everyone does. They got around.
Rush: Baseball was another outlet! “King” Kelly was a hero to the Irish!
Rush: 1880s.
Rush: My wife is mostly of Irish ancestry, as well.
sarabell2: I will look him up. You are very knowledgeable. Has your wife researched her family?
Rush: There is a family tale or two, but her uncle has really researched a lot!
Rush: Note the mention of a colored scarf here by Chan.
Rush: That is something that will come into play in a future radio drama we will be hearing!
Rush: Fingerprints!
Rush: Chan promices that the sergeant will earn a promotiom when the case is concluded….
Rush: That is the type of favor that Chan has performed in the films!
Rush: At least one I can think of!
hounder: …
Rush: This drama dates from 1936.
Rush: Announcer…
Rush: Commercial pause here….
Rush: Music plays throughout.
Rush: This is where local stations were free to again read commercials from their sponsors…
Rush: When done, the music would still be running…
Rush: And the show would conclude.
sarabell2: I listen to radio dramas going down the road. So much better than what radio is now.
Rush: I agree hugely, SB!
Rush: Chan’s wise statement here…
hounder: me too sarabel
Rush: “Man can tie knots with his tongue which his hands could never tie.”
sarabell2: Thank you!
Rush: As the music sends us off….
Rush: THE END…
Rush: (Applause…)
Rush: 🙂
Matt1: <clap-clap>
Rush: And that’s how we do it, Sarabell!
Rush: Next, we will be sharing “The Black Camel.”
Rush: Do you have a copy of that movie, SB?
sarabell2: Thank you. You are all so nice.
Rush: If not, we do have a link above!
Rush: And YOU are so PATIENT!
Rush: 🙂
sarabell2: I do, it is on my cell phone surfers surfing now
Rush: Pause please at teh opening title.
Rush: (the)
sarabell2: I will back it up.
sarabell2: Me and the little red circle are old friends.
Rush: That’s where we all pause so we can start at the same place and watch it as close as possible together “synced”!
Rush: Understood, SB!
Rush: vie starts in 13 minutes.
Rush: As you may recall, others begin dropping in as we approach “showtime”!
Rush: “The Black Camel” was shot in part on location at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and at Kailua Beach.
Rush: The opening scenes were filmed at Kailua Beach.
Rush: One can go there today and see that the location has not changed greatly since 1931.
Rush: There were also some good sequences that were used as rear-projections during a couple of diving scenes.
Rush: One shows Chan and assistant Kashimno driving from the Chan home down Punchbowl Hill to downtown Honolulu.
Rush: I have walked that route a couple of times.
Rush: It is Prospect Street which runs along Punchbowl Hill.
sarabell2: Really? You were actually there?
Rush: The other driving scene with Chan and Tarneverro (Lugosi) was shot along kalakaua Blvd..
hounder: do w know why it’s called punch bowl hill? is it a bowl shaped area?
Rush: Yes, I was there a couple of times. Good fortune shined brightly!
Dona has joined this room
Rush: 🙂
Dona: Hello everyone!
Matt1: Hello Dona!
sarabell2: How are you, Dona?
Rush: Hellooooo….DONA!
Rush: WELCOME!
Dona: I am good. Glad to be here. I’ll be right back going to set up my movie
Rush: I hope tha you had a nice day today, Dona..!
Rush: Sounds good!
hounder: hi dona
Rush: The driving scene with Alan Jaynes and Shela Fane at the start of the film was shot along part of the Pali road which leads from Kailua Beach to Honolulu.
Len Freeman has joined this room
Len Freeman: Hello friends
hounder: hi len
Matt1: Hello Len!
Rush: If you watch closely at the start of that scene, you will see a roadside monument. it is still thare today.
Rush: (there)
Len Freeman: Smile
sarabell2: Its funny, II watched another CC movies and in the comments a person wrote these movies are very comforting I wrote him and told him about your site then read some more and saw a comment from you Rush!
Godwinshelley2 has joined this room
Rush: Len! Good evening to you!
Rush: Welcome!
hounder: hi gs
Rush: GS!
Godwinshelley2: Hello all
sarabell2: Hi Len. Hi Godwinshelley2.
Matt1: Hello GS!
Rush: Hello, and good evening to you as well!
Len Freeman: Smile
Godwinshelley2: Doing ok – waited in line for a covid test – 3 hours – and I didn’t get one
Dona: Hi GS Hi Len
Rush: WOW!
sarabell2: Are you sick?
hounder: sorry you were unsuccessful gs
Godwinshelley2: I’m allergic to Propylene Glycol – and guess what they use to make both the Pzier and Moderna vaccines – yep
Rush: Three minutes to showtime!
Godwinshelley2: They started the vaccines for 65+ folks in DE – and I qualify
Len Freeman: Lindsay is watching with me tonight. We spent an evening at the Pink Hotel with Hawaii Steve a couple of years ago and she wanted to catch the spots we visited .
hounder: were you waiting for the test or the vaccine?
Matt1: Cued here
Godwinshelley2: for the vaccine
Godwinshelley2: 3 hours
hounder: hi lindsey
Rush: Please pause at the Opening Title…
Rush: 2 minutes…
Godwinshelley2: actually an hour to wait to get the paperwork – and hour to get to the front of the line – and an hour to wait after to make sure my husband, who got his vaccine, was ok before he left
Rush: “The Black Camel”
Rush: 75 seconds….
PaulM has joined this room
hounder: ah. fl is doing appointments if you can get 1, one women called 150 times in a row to gt through only to be told the appts were gone in 10 minutes.
Rush: 60 seconds….
Dona: Hi Paul
Matt1: Hello Paul!
Godwinshelley2: hello vacation Paul
Rush: 50 seconds…
hounder: hi paul
Rush: 40 seconds…
Rush: Hello, Paul!
sarabell2: Hi paul
Rush: 30 seconds…
Rush: 25…
PaulM: just in time
Rush: 20…
Rush: 5…
Rush: 10…
Rush: 5…
Rush: GO!!!
Matt1: <GONG>
Len Freeman: going
Rush: Music and title….
Rush: Credits….
Rush: Surfers….
Rush: Waikiki…
Rush: Diamond Head….
Rush: Newspaper headlines…
Godwinshelley2: Live beach action
Rush: Kailua Beach…
Rush: Melvin Paoa…
hounder: hawaii was still a territory then
Rush: A local “Beach Boy” recruited for the film!
Rush: Yes, Hounder.
Godwinshelley2: Is that a hat or a tent
Rush: Note the weather change as the scenes progress!
Dona: lol
sarabell2: He looked Hawaiian, very fit
Rush: They turn on the lighting while shooting.
Rush: Look at the locals watch the filming!!!
Godwinshelley2: Amazing dolly shot
Rush: yes!
Rush: And recall the date…1931.
Rush: Just into the sound era!
Rush: “I’m COME-ing…”
Rush: Sort of like the classic car horn of the era.
Rush: Clouds have come in….
Rush: Studio lighting used here./
Godwinshelley2: That monument is still around?
Rush: There was the monument I mentioned.
Rush: Yes!
Rush: It reads: “Lani Kai”
Rush: Shot along the Pali road there…
Rush: Inside the Royal Hawaiian.
Len Freeman: Ah we were there
Matt1: Beautiful hotel
Len Freeman: with Steve
Rush: These spots can be found today within the hotel.
Matt1: I stayed there
Rush: Some are a bit changed, but not all!
Rush: Yes, Matrt?
Rush: NICE!!!
Len Freeman: how were the rooms Matt?
Rush: (Matt)
Matt1: Yes a couple nights before a cruise…..10+ years ago
Rush: Behind Lugosi…
Rush: A map of Hawaii….
hounder: kashi doesn’t do much for the comic relief
Rush: Still there today.
Rush: See the mail box behind CC?
Rush: Still there today.
Len Freeman: yes
Len Freeman: It’s also the pink hotel that Joni Mitchell wrote about in “they paved paradise’
Rush: AH! Yes!
Rush: We see Oland’s early take on Charlie Chan in this movie.
Rush: Next time we get to see him is in “Charlie Chan in London,” and by then Charlie Chan belongs to oland.
Godwinshelley2: No “sons” in this one – I think the family connection softened the character
Len Freeman: Charlie is a touch “darker” in this film
sarabell2: I like him here.
Rush: If you watch the little “dots” very closely in the “crystal ball,” when a dramatic moment hits and the sphere is grasped, we can see a little bubble break loose and rise!
Rush: This was a globe filled with water.
hounder: the bubbles give it some texture
Rush: There!
Rush: The bubble!
sarabell2: I love your details and background info.
Rush: Shelah tried to exit this uncomfortable situation!
Rush: TYSM, SB!
Len Freeman: the contrast is so stark and beautiful
Rush: So much to see in each movie!
Dona: Always a learning experience when I’m here.
Rush: Yes, Len!
Rush: We see that the acting and gestures still harken a little to the silent era.
Rush: She did….
Rush: Note the young palm trees.
sarabell2: I used to sell maid’s uniforms
Rush: At this point the Royal was open only a few years.
Rush: Yes, SB?
Rush: The fountain in the background…
Rush: Gone today.
Rush: Kashimo!
Len Freeman: This character turned into sons in the later films.
Rush: Royal Hawaiian in the background.
Godwinshelley2: and an occasional daughter
sarabell2: There are a lot of big estates in middle and south Georgia. They were like little cities unto themselves. The maids would come in to buy their uniformms. They had great jobs and were treated well. One time we dressed up our gay friend in one and had him pose in the store window.
Rush: That would be so, Ken…yes.
Len Freeman: all better than Kashimo!
Rush: 🙂
Rush: Kashimo was in the Biggers “Black Camel” book.
Rush: This lady…
Rush: She played Max Minchin’s wife in “Charlie Chan Carries On.”
Rush: The gangster’s wife.
Rush: Not the gap here…
Rush: See?
Rush: I think that a line may have been removed later.
Rush: Blonde lady is Marjorie White….she died in a car accident a few years later.
Len Freeman: a tougher faced CC
Rush: Driving in Waikiki.
Rush: Yes, Len.
Rush: Funny line coming at the end of this scene.
Godwinshelley2: What was that large building behind them
Rush: “At first, I’m pretty bad driver; but now, me and road turn corner same time.”
Rush: That was called the “Natatorium.”
Rush: It was there until recently.
sarabell2: It figures you would know that!
Rush: Well…
Godwinshelley2: was that a swimming pool area?
Rush: There is a gentleman who is a member, Hawaii Steve, and he is the EXPERT of all things Honolulu! I have learned much from him!
Rush: Nice lighting here…
Rush: DRAMATIC
Len Freeman: a creepy CC
Len Freeman: definitely dangerous
hounder: hope hawaii steve is doing well
Rush: Last I heard from him, he was.
Len Freeman: Lindsay and I had dinner with him a couple of years ago…. a wonderful evening
Rush: Dr. Cream…
Rush: Very good, Len! Steve is a great guy!
Rush: Did you go on his tour?
Rush: the lady in the background…
Rush: “Miss Dixon.”
Len Freeman: No… weren’t able to, but did go to the Royal Hawiian
Rush: An unknown, uncredited actress.
Len Freeman: with him.. to spot the filming sights
Rush: Did he show you any of the Chan locations?
Dona: I hope one day to go there and take his tour.
Len Freeman: Yes
Len Freeman: A good guy
Rush: I am happy that you were able to do that!
Godwinshelley2: Take some time and also see the museum in the Honolulu Police Dept – it’s interesting too
Rush: YES!
hounder: …
Rush: Like the sons later, Kashimo does offer help.
Rush: “Oh, I see. You mean a wife. I have one.”
Rush: And, like the sons…there are moments…
hounder: love that line you are a zebra. sport model jackass
Rush: Yes!
Louise has joined this room
Louise: Hi gang! Just stopped in to say Hi!
Rush: James Wang
Dona: Hi Louise
Rush: Hi, Louise!
Rush: Happy you could at least join us for the moment!
Rush: WELCOME!
hounder: hi ;ouise
Louise: Got caught up with something at 8 so couldn’t start the movie with you.
Rush: Can you stay on?
Louise: Good to see you all here. I’ll watch you chat for a few minutes.
Rush: 🙂
Len Freeman: Hi Louise
Godwinshelley2: 36:00
Rush: If you want to watch along for a few minutes, louise…GS is supplying the times…
Rush: “Smith”
Godwinshelley2: 37;10
Len Freeman: a good character…
Rush: Murray Kinnell. He will be seen in a number of our movies….
Len Freeman: and a nice role in this one
Godwinshelley2: 38:00
Rush: The Black Camel: Smith
Charlie Chan’s Courage: Martin Thorne
Charlie Chan in London: Philips (alias Captain Seton)
Charlie Chan in Paris: Henri Latouche
Dona: And he was in Lost and Space?
Rush: Really?
Dona: I think so. The professor
Godwinshelley2: 38:30
Dona: maybe
Godwinshelley2: 39″30
Godwinshelley2: sorry
Godwinshelley2: 40:00
Dona: The name was Jonathan Harris
Dona: i guess not the same person
Rush: No…I looked. He passed away in 1954.
Rush: AH! You were thinking of Dr. Smith!
Rush: 🙂
Dona: Yes
Rush: Jonatghan Harris1 I loved that character!
Dona: Sure looks like him
Rush: “Always happens – when conscience tries to speak, telephone out of order.”
Rush: There is an admitted resemblance!
sarabell2: Hello to Paul and Louise. Dona, I watched a CC movie and I thought one character was Leo G. Carroll, who was on Girl from Uncle. Looked just like him but no.
Len Freeman has left this room
Rush: For continuity, this would be a night scene.
PaulM: hello
Godwinshelley2: Yes Leo is in TWO Chan films
Godwinshelley2: Rush – which Chan films is Leo G Carroll in – Paris and what is the other?
Louise has left this room
Rush: And…”Charlie Chan’s Murder Cruise.”
Rush: The “Paris” film was “Charlie Chan in City in Darkness.”
sarabell2: The beach bum artist played a real stuffed shirt character in another CC movie
Rush: We are talking nearly $5000 in today’s dollars for that painting.
Rush: Chan and the family at braekfast.
Godwinshelley2: Husband is happy they didn’t have a “catchy” song here – like “Pundi, Pundi, Pundi”
Rush: The elder daughter we see here is Bo Ling.
Len Freeman has joined this room
Rush: Interestingly, she’s the daughter of E.L. Park who was Chan in “Behind That Curtain.”
Rush: WB, Len!
Rush: Actually shot on Punchbowl Hill.
sarabell2: Pretty girl!
Rush: Driving along Prospect Street here…
Len Freeman has left this room
Rush: That roof Chan just passed is unique and is on a house that is still there today.
Rush: That verified the location for me when i visited years ago.
Len Freeman has joined this room
Len Freeman: Had trouble getting back in
Rush: Sorry, Len!
sarabell2: Did you go on a Chan pilgrimage? I would have.
Rush: Indeed I did.
Rush: “Only very clever man can bite pie without breaking crust.”
Rush: “Learn from hen – never boast about egg until after egg’s birthday.”
Rush: CC types like I do!
Rush: Laboriously.
Rush: (Cough…)
Rush: “Can cut off monkey’s tail, but he is still monkey.”
sarabell2: Jimmy is played by Robert Young ..Marcus Welby, who suffered terribly from depression, despite playing cheerful characters.
Rush: This part of the hotel is called “Ali’i Walk” today.
Dona: Father Knows Best
Rush: Yes, Sarabell?
Rush: Sad about his depression.
Rush: The lady here we see in two other Chan movies.
Godwinshelley2: Didn’t she also play Mrs. Hudson in the Sherlock Holmes films?
Rush: Mary Gordon…
Rush: The Black Camel: Mrs. MacMasters
Charlie Chan in London: Prison Matron
Shadows Over Chinatown: Mrs. Conover
Rush: Note the crowd of locals run in on cue!
Rush: Next week we will be watching TWO episodes of “The New Advebntures of Charlie Chan ” TV drama.
Rush: Both will be available as links.
Godwinshelley2: So is Mr. Fyfe’s first name Barney – didn’t Barney Fife keep his bullet in his front pocket
PaulM: i have them on dvd anyway
Len Freeman: great role … smith
Rush: CC shows gentleness to the artist’s girlfriend.
Rush: Yes, Len.
sarabell2: Funny, Godwinshelley
Rush: Note the barred window.
Len Freeman: It’s one of the better scenes in the film
Rush: Same as in “Eran Trece.”
Rush: Thus, the same office seen in “Charlie Chan Carries On.”
PaulM: the artists girl is a little bit of a ditz, but she isnt a horrible person
Dona: agreed Paul
Rush: Yes, Paul.
Rush: Good-hearted.
PaulM: yup
Rush: Similar to what we will see happen in “Charlie Chan in London.”
Rush: “Just this once.”
Len Freeman has left this room
Rush: Poor Len….
Rush: Gremlins at work…
Rush: Mrs. Denny Mayo…
Rush: Arthur Mayo…
Godwinshelley2: I think this film would make a great drinking game – every time they say “Danny Mayo”
Rush: Emotions took over.
hounder: poor len. must be his turn to entertain the gremilns
Rush: Yes…we could call it: “Pass the Mayo.”
Dona: I like that GS
Len Freeman has joined this room
Len Freeman: nice shot
Rush: Keep an eye on the butler…always….
Len Freeman: back…
Rush: WB, Len!
Rush: Togh night! Sorry…
sarabell2: You have good ideas Godwin
Rush: “Save for next case!”
hounder: fun idea gs
Godwinshelley2: Too Late – save for next case
Dona: LOL
Rush: THE END
Matt1: <yee-haw>
Rush: (Applause…)
Len Freeman: Ah.. Just in time.
Dona: (WAHOOO)
Rush: Actually there was supposed to be exit music…”Aloha ‘Oe”
Rush: But Fox didn’t keep it for the disc….
Rush: Sadly.
Rush: Well!
Rush: That’s my favorite Chan film!
hounder: thanks for the fun. see you all next week
Len Freeman: agreed
Matt1: Mine too
Dona: Why is that Rush?
Godwinshelley2: Well – have a safe week everyone
Rush: Next week…”The New Adventures of Charlie Chan.”
Don’t worry…we will have the episodes avaliable as links!
Len Freeman: Goodnight all.. stay safe.
Matt1: Good night folks and have a great week ahead
Godwinshelley2: good – hope it’s not the dog or acid episodes
Rush: I thank you ALL for a GREAT evening!
Rush: TYSM, len!
Rush: Take care, ALL!
Dona: Thank you Rush! Fun evening.
Godwinshelley2: Thank you for a nice evening everyone.
Rush: Have a good week…
Godwinshelley2: night
hounder has left this room
Rush: Be happy….but be SAFE!
Godwinshelley2 has left this room
Rush: 🙂
Len Freeman has left this room
sarabell2: I did like it too. Thank you Rush, hope to see you all next week.
Rush: Take care…
Rush: TYSM for returning, Sarabell!
Dona has left this room
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Rush: hope that bthis is all staerting to make more sense to you!
Rush: )
sarabell2 has left this room
Rush: We have a whole year of this ahead!
Rush: Good night, paul!
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