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The "Lost" Charlie Chan Film Scripts
Many fans of Charlie Chan are doubtless aware
of the fact that four of the earliest films from the series are currently classified as "lost" with no known prints being
available for viewing. These films, Charlie Chan Carries On (1931), Charlie Chan's Chance (1932), Charlie
Chan's Greatest Case (1933), and Charlie Chan's Courage (1934) are, however, to our great good fortune, still
available in script form. Humbly offered for your hopeful enjoyment, dear visitor, are all four scripts representing
these missing films.
Our first script is a "Final Shooting Script," dated December 23, 1930, for Charlie Chan
Carries On. The actual production of this picture began eleven days later, on January 3, 1931. If one considers that
the Christmas and New Year holidays consumed a good measure of the intervening days, this script very probably saw little
change before filming began.
The second script is a "Screen Continuity" for Charlie Chan's Chance. Carrying
the date January 9, 1932, this script reflects what was contained in the completed film, and, as such, it probably
offers a very accurate view of the completed movie.
Our third offering, a "Revised Final Shooting Script" for Charlie
Chan's Greatest Case, dated July 7, 1933, is surely very close to how the completed film eventually appeared, as production
on this picture began about a week later.
The final, fourth script, for Charlie Chan's Courage, is a "Final
Shooting Script" that bears the date March 19, 1934. Shooting began a little more than a month later, on April 23, so it is
possible that some changes, perhaps, were made before the production began. However, even with revisions, the script that
we have available for your enjoyment is assuredly very close to how the final product would have appeared to viewing audiences seven
decades ago.
Each of these scripts has been illustrated whenever possible with existing images that have been inserted,
as accurately as possible, into the text in their appropriate spots. Most of these images have come to us through publicity
stills, and images made from stills. In the case of Charlie Chan Carries On, a goodly amount of visual material consisting
of video captures from the Spanish language version of this film, Eran Trece, has been used. This material was, in
all probability, "stock footage" which would have also appeared in the "lost" English language version starring Warner Oland.
Video out-takes from Charlie Chan's Greatest Case were also accessed for illustrative material for that film's script.
Several other "stock" images, such as the well-known Chan family group photograph and the Honolulu shots, were also used to
enhance the scripts.
The text of each script has been reformatted for easier reading. Obvious typographical errors
have been corrected, and, if necessary, any additional information that has been placed within the text for purposes of clarity
is enclosed in [brackets]. In no instance has the original wording of any of the scripts been changed.
"Thank
you so much" to a number of Charlie Chan Family members who have offered much-needed encouragement with this project that,
at the end of the road, has covered a distance of one full year, and a dozen trips to Los Angeles. The encouragement of Joanne
Walsh, Michael Cannon, Gary Plude, Stew Nirenberg, and Gary Osborne, has been very much appreciated along with the enthusiasm
that each gave during this project. Very special thanks go to Steve Rhodes, who has offered invaluable assistance with our
humble endeavor. My most profound appreciation goes to my own honorable wife, Marie, who has shown the most amazing tolerance
for her spouse's year-long obsession with this project. Finally, deepest appreciation goes out to all fans of
the great detective, the honorable Charlie Chan. Your great devotion, spanning generations, keeps the dream alive. With this
in mind, these "lost" scripts are respectfully dedicated to all of you.
The scripts may be accessed by clicking on
the images or titles for each film below, and it is hoped that you, our valued guest, will find much enjoyment
as you read through each of our humble offerings...
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