This was rather a stodgy series, illumined by the obviously barbed comments between the great detective and his Number One Son, who usually puts his foot into it.
Barry Chan appears in 25 of the stories: Nos. 4 to 13, 15 to 17, 20, 22, 24 to 33.
After stories 1 to 5 had been filmed in USA in March 1957, production moved to England, J Carrol Naish travelling to Britain from New York at the start of April 1957.
Some limited location shooting was done in other European countries in which stories were set: France: Story 6 (Paris) and 12, Brussels: 16, 20 and 22, Amsterdam: 19, Rome: 27, 35 and 37,Venice: 33 and 34.
Best episode: #33 Man with 100 Faces. Alan Wheatley claimed this was one of his favourite roles.
Dud episode: #2 Secret of the Sea- though nearly all the American-made stories are poor. Best moments are Charlie Chan's wise sayings.
Here's one from story #16 -
"In contemplation of eternal beauty, one catches glimpse of eternal truth."
Here's the complete list (so far).
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Pithy comments by the great Charlie Chan, as uttered in this series.
The number before each quote indicates the programme in which the saying was given.
1- "Even the frightened fawn is aware of the hunter that seeks its life."
1- "When heart is full of tears, there's no room for understanding."
2- "If one hibiscus bloom in a field withers and dies, it could be accidental weakness, but not when more than one is affected."
2- "Love is like a blacksmith's hammer- it can shape the white hot steel of emotion for both good and evil."
2- "Detection, and the making of good coffee, sometimes requires the same ingredient- the proper amount of heat to bring about the desired result."
3- "When a shepherd discovers three of his flock slaughtered, he usually looks for the wolf."
3- "When a tree is weighted down with the snows of
adversity, who is there to say when the limb will break?"
3- "Not even the sound of a thousand children's voices can replace the sight of one smidge of dirt on a little rosy cheek."
3- "Only a fool enters the darkness of a bear's cave without at least the illumination of a tiny candle."
3- "Even strongest tree needs support in a violent storm."
3- "A boulder of suspicion cannot stop an avalanche of justice."
5- "When door of mind is unlocked, strangers bearing rich gifts are often visitor."
5- "The patient man accomplishes much, for the impatient man there is never time enough."
6- "Silence often speaks louder than words."
7- "Very few people have natural appetite for eating crow."
7- "Fading flower no longer attracts bee."
8- "Man can be without vice, but never without temptation."
8- "In business of crime detection, mind like umbrella- only functions when open."
9- "Mutual alibi like teacup- does not always hold water."
9- "Like broken Ming vase, uneasy conscience very difficult to mend."
10- "Old romance like cat- sometimes has nine lives."
10- "First sign of age- when man cannot tie shoe from standing position."
10- "Secret romance like dead ant in pepperpot- very often difficult to detect."
13- "Patience like sleeping flower- cut away same and it will reward your patience"
14- "One hour's conversation with superior person better than many year's study."
14- "Small but high storey buildings rise from gradual accumulation of small bricks."
14- "Knowledge is the only medicine to cure itch of curiosity."
15- "One pinch of aristocracy added to small mind, makes fat head."
16- "In contemplation of eternal beauty, one catches glimpse of eternal truth."
17- "Impatience is a disease of the young- can only be cured by old age."
17- "Like retired firehorse who smells smoke, I cannot resist the lure of police hq."
18- "Subway like ancient Chinese puzzle."
18- "Even smallest drop of rain gives hope to parched flower."
18- "Jealousy destroys all reason."
19- "Old Chinese saying- Never argue while looking in mouth of tiger."
20- "Impatience is sometimes like a large stone in pathway- can trip you up."
20- "Words in jest often lead to misunderstanding"
21- "Patience can find smallest needle in largest haystack."
22- "Two birds on branch sing sweetly, but another changes melody to discord."
24- "If traffic becomes puzzlingly heavy, sometimes indirect route leads more quickly to destination."
24- "Clever placement of bait by fisherman often lands large juicy mackerel."
24- "Sometimes youthful heart is closed book to adult mind."
25- "Ancient saying: never bet on unsure thing."
25- "A loyal friend is like rare white jade from ancient Honsu period- both are beyond price."
25 - "A cup of tea on rising is almost preferable to handful of emeralds."
25 - "Like ageing spinster, I am getting too old to blush becomingly."
25 - "Never bet on unsure thing."
26- "Like finding real chicken in cafeteria coup, your confession is most surprising."
26- "Beautiful woman becomes a thousandfold more beautiful when she wears jewel of kindness."
27- "Obvious answer is not always solution to crime."
28- "Man is optimistic creature who forever expects tap on door to foretell arrival of beauty."
29- "Coincidence, which is occasionally very pleasant as a dish, is not palatable as a steady diet."
30- "Anger so soon after lunch very bad for indigestion."
30- "Best way to catch fish is not to disturb water."
31- "Man in iron suit no good for dancing- cannot get feet off ground"
31- "Truth cures many things- it's very possible truth could also cure all ills of world."
32- "Rarely does one hear roar of lion come out of mouse's throat."
32- "In moments of peril, even small mouse will bite."
32- "Politeness like old wine, improves many occasions."
33- "Man who sees dawn, sees beauty; but man who sees sunset, survives the day."
34- "Reputation like small bottle- cast into sea, should reach such distant shores."
34- "Sometimes mask of simplicity hides face of fathomless mystery."
37- "When you are hunting tiger, it is not wise to bring down a jackal"
37- "Bigger the oath, greater the liar."
39- "When two and two equals five, then it is logical to suspect that one has been added."
39- "Tide of good fortunes change when least expected."
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