<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Charlie Chan Film Encyclopedia
Review: A great film reference for every Chan and mystery film fan. Everything you want to know about the Chan films is here for easy access. Many pictures and helpful tables add to its value. Fun to read. Goes well with Mr. Hanke's and Mr. Mitchell's books on the Chan films. There can't be enough books about the Chan films. This one is a keeper! I hope Mr. Berlin writes more books on old mystery films and Chan.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: A must have for all fans of the great detective, both die-hard and casual. For too long Chan fans had very little outside of the films themselves to quench the thirst..now we have the Hanke, Mitchell and Dr. Berlin books....not to mention the wonderful Chan message board. Chan fans have truly been delivered from the wilderness! Anyone who buys Dr. Berlin's book won't be disapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Reads like a textbook, bland and unsatisfying
Review: After reading the glowing recommendations by other reviewers, I decided to take the plunge and spend $55 for this book. If you see the price and are hesitant, heed this warning and pass this by. Hopefully a more appropriate and popular-priced Charlie Chan filmography will materialize eventually.
The author evidently did not have access to more than a handful of promotional pictures to accompany the individual Chan films, and that's a major problem with the book. Lobby cards for "The Trap" and "Charlie Chan in Shanghai" are disappointing examples of few photos shown for specific films.
Toler's picture under the listing for his name is at least in character as Chan, but not for Oland or Winters. Most of the actors' photos used are not from Chan films. For example, the only photo of Mantan Moreland is from a 1955 non-Chan film; there's no picture for the Victor Sen Young listing itself, who the author says appeared in 18 Chan films; two Benson Fong pictures for his listing, neither from a Chan film; two non-Chan Keye Luke pictures for his listing. Instead we get a half-page photo of the China Clipper aircraft, and a full-page listing on Glenn Seaborg including a large photo, one of the more questionable inclusions in the book as he had no connection to any Chan film and there was no direct reference to him in a Chan film. We also get a full-page listing with photo of Jesse Owens who appeared in newsreel footage only in "Charlie Chan at the Olympics". The space given is equal to the listing for Roland Winters, who STARRED as Chan in 6 films. Photos of Jay Silverheels as Tonto, George Reeves as Superman, Milburn Stone as Doc in Gunsmoke and a 1960's era photo of Leo G. Carroll seem inappropriate as they are all years-removed from the Chan films in which they appeared. There are several Mr. Moto film promotional pictures. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES FROM THE CHAN FILMS??
There are also scores of pointless listings in the book. The author identifies Number One, Two, Three sons and daughters which is helpful, but what's the purpose of having listings such as "8251," "8:20 pm", "8:30 pm", "11:30 pm", etc.? It's filler material. Scores of off-the-mark listings that are sub-trivial. The author has collected a bunch of facts to include listings, but fails to examine his facts for their significance.
The listings for the individual films are the most disappointing. There is technical production information, release dates and plot summaries, but how about some ANALYSIS or better yet, inclusion of some contemporary REVIEWS of the films from media sources? The most we get is a few notes following the summaries, stating it was the first/last appearance by an actor.
I can't recommend anyone spend $55 for a book of this sort. It is an encyclopedia, not a filmography, but it reads like a college textbook and is bland and unsatisfying. Hopefully someone will work on putting together a decent filmography for a reasonable price, similar to "The Films of Sherlock Holmes" book issued a few decades ago.
Rating:
Summary: After all these years, Charlie Chan is back!
Review: Dr. Berlin's new book on the films of Charlie Chan takes the reader back in time to the 1930's and 40's when these great movies were playing in theatres throughout the world. There's so much information presented to excite fans of the genre, and create new fans of those with just a passing acquaintance of the humble Chinese detective. Attention to detail is the books strong suit, with biographies of the supporting players, compilations of Chan's philosophical aphorisms, complete production details and plot summaries of each movie and the novels on which they were based. It truly merits the "Encyclopedia" title, for the sheer volume of data as well as its format. And, the many photographic illustrations, from Philip Ahn to George Zucco, just add to the experience. This book is a "must own" for any serious collector of the mystery film genre, but, it's really a whole lot of fun for anyone who has ever enjoyed a Charlie Chan movie.
Rating:
Summary: Chan Tome
Review: I have this book and enjoy it both as a reading book and a reference. Itcontains insights to the subject of Charlie Chan that represent a thoughtful approach to a fictional character that spanned generations and different interpretations. As a reference work to me it's invaluable.
Rating:
Summary: Reads like a textbook, bland and unsatisfying
Review: This book has been of utmost help to me in researching CC info. Also it is put together in a very easy format to find that obscure fact that us chan fans thrive on..
Rating: 
Summary: Decent book but not the last word
Review: This is a very decent book but not the last word. It seems to miss out on he sense of fun of the series. It is too dry for my taste.
<< 1 >>
|
