Charlie Chan Collection - Vol. 3 (DVD, 2007, 4-Disc Set)

This completes the Warner Oland Chan series that began with Volume I. Again we have 4 flicks (several have been lost and will probably never see the light of day again). The first Chan movie an early talkie in 1929 is here although it has little to do with Chan (Behind the Curtain) and one of the hardest two of the most difficult to obtain, SECRET and BLACK CAMEL--the first complete with murders and a scary "dark old house" theme and the more famous CAMEL set in Chan's native Honolulu. He is investigation the death of a starlet on a movie set shooting in his hometown. This flick features the likes of Bela Lugosi and a small bit by Dwight Frye (both of Dracula fame). ON BROADWAY find Chan embroiled with gangsters and the murder of a nightclub singer and IN MONTE CARLO features the delightful #1 son Keye Luke both of whom are on vacation but find it cut short by of course--murder. This set also contains the usual abundance of trailers and featurettes found on the first two volumes and completes a must have series. Oland was working on his last film AT RINGSIDE when he suffered from alcoholism and had a nervous breakdown. He became ill with pneumonia and died in Arizona. Most of the footage shot was with Keye Luke and it was refashioned into a MR. MOTO movie (GAMBLE).

Those who want to round out the series--here it is. Sidney Toler took over Oland's role and made many movies and only the poorest WWII entries are available CHANTOLOGY from MGM. One can hope more Toler offerings will be made available as both stars embodied the great Chinese sleuth (with different styles) but all are completely enjoyable. And you certainly won't be disappointed with this box set if you love old films of this genre by the greatest fictional Oriental detective in cinema history. ENJOY!