Is this one of Toler's bests? - Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (1944) Discussion

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 17 years ago

No. The best of the bunch are CC at Treasure Island, Castle in the Desert and The Wax Museum.

Nothing exists more beautifully than nothing.

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[–] thorne1 17 years ago

Did you guy's know that George Takai and his bunch of jerks had all the chan movies removed because they thought that Sidey Toler and Warner Oland made chinese people look bad.

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[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 17 years ago

Don't believe it cuz others own movies and they is comin out on dvd over the years now.

Nothing exists more beautifully than nothing.

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[–] finestsounds-1 17 years ago

Many would say that George Takai makes Chinese people look bad. I've seen him interviewed and I'm sure that many self-respecting people of Chinese decent would abhor his liberal lifestyle and views, (which are viewed as immoral by many), and would not want him to be representative of them. Since the Chan films were produced from the 1920's through the 40's, of course there are going to be some politically incorrect situations common to most films of this era when viewed by today's standards. It would be ridiculous to view films of this era and hold them to today's standards. The point is, Charlie Chan was represented as a great family man, humorous, polite, smart, and a world- renowned hero. If Takai has issues with those representations, it makes me wonder what values he does embrace.

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[–] finestsounds-1 17 years ago

Obviously this is a subjective question, so I will chime in with my humble opinion. Yes, I believe "The Chinese Cat" to be one of Toler's best Chan films. The acting, plot, humour, and chemistry all seem to come together quite well here. I would call it a "must see". Thank you so much.

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[–] jessemurden 16 years ago

Guys,
George Takai's family are Japanese!
Jesse

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[–] xnet95 14 years ago

No, this is definitely not one of Toler's or the series' best. This film is pretty unremarkable and dull. Whoever wrote the dialog didn't do a very good job, it's not as witty or snappy as some of the other Chans. The "Chanisms" are particularly disappointing and not very funny. The pacing isn't good, either.
I haven't watched all of Toler's efforts, but Treasure Island and Castle in the Desert are much, much better than this.

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[–] greenbudgie (2355) 2 years ago

'Treasure Island' and 'Castle in the Desert' were Fox movies which always had a better production value than a Monogram low budget like this one. I think it would have been a fairer topic question to ask if this is the best of the Monogram Chan movies.

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[–] jonfrum2000 14 years ago

One of my favorites. The lighting and camera angles aren't as good as the Wax Museum and Castle in the Desert, but the change-over to son Tommy and the addition of Birmingham Brown give Toler more room to play it straight. The women in this one were also inferior, but that just leaves us focusing on Charlie more.

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[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

I assume U fans know that Mantan Moreland was thought of as a sellout by his later chums cause he acted in these silly things. He paid dearly for being in them. That was too bad and not a good thing cuz this is the way people found out what a natural comic he really was.

Sacred bats don't leave dead ibises under the portrait of the Cabbage of Celestial Increase.

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