This week Warner Bros. brought four classic mysteries to DVD in a brand new box set, The Charlie Chan Collection. The first movie in the collection is Shadows Over Chinatown, released in 1946 and starring Sidney Toler as the famous detective. The other three films–Docks of New Orleans, Shanghai Chest, and The Golden Eye–all released in 1948 with Roland Winters as Charlie Chan.
Here’s the full press release from Warner Bros:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings back the legendary master of crime in the Charlie Chan Collection — four beloved films making their DVD debut, and now available for the first time, newly remastered, as a single collection. Included are Shadows Over Chinatown, starring Sidney Toler in one of his last Chan films, plus Docks of New Orleans, Shanghai Chest, and The Golden Eye starring Roland Winters, the last actor to play the detective on film. The 4-disc set will sell for $39.92 SRP.
Writer Earl Derr Biggers created Charlie Chan, a fictional Chinese-American sleuth, in a series of printed tales beginning in 1923. As early as 1926, the first of more than 48 Charlie Chan films was put on the silver screen. Actor Warner Oland, born in Sweden, began a popular run for Fox in 1931 in Charlie Chan Carries On. After its success, Fox would produce 15 more Chan films starring Oland. Not surprisingly, the films became the most popular in 1930s China.
After Oland died, Sidney Toler, an American actor with Scottish roots, took on the Chan role. Toler starred in 22 Chan films, first for Fox and later for Monogram Studios. After Toler’s death, Roland Winters became Chan in six more films. The character has also been featured frequently on radio, television and in the comics.
You have from now through midnight Eastern time on the night of Wednesday, August 14, 2013, to enter. Check out the form below to find all the ways you can enter.
Good luck!
