ROTTEN TOMATOES: Lucy Liu to Play Charlie Chan's Granddaughter

Lucy Liu to Play Charlie Chan's Granddaughter

by Scott Weinberg | July 28, 2005

The Hollywood Reporter indicates that Ms. Lucy Liu will produce and star in a modernization of the classic old "Charlie Chan" series.

Former TV exec turned busy screenwriter Dan McDermott is on the case, and he had this to say about the project: "It's a reinvention of the franchise that credibly passes on the baton to Lucy Liu as the lead character and lead of the franchise."

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(1-13 of 13 posts) | Reply

itssagurllie writes:
on Jul 28 2005 12:44 AM

Let me guess: Another Asian female character with a white guy...don't mean to be a hater, but that's Lucy Liu for you

(Reply to this)

GhostintheFlesh writes:
on Jul 28 2005 07:31 AM

me so horny!

(Reply to this)

sox1919 writes:
on Jul 28 2005 10:04 AM

[b]another crapfest[/b]
are there no good ideas out there?

(Reply to this)

Prosper761 writes:
on Jul 28 2005 10:35 AM

[b]Why?[/b]
Why would anyone want to revive a racist franchise from the 1930's? Does Ms Liu think she can erase a decade of Asian (no Asian actor ever played Charlie Chan, by the way) stereotypes by by updating a tired old character from films that were never very good in the first place? What ever happened to original characters and stories? Are indiependent film makers the only ones with new ideas? Feh!

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Jul 28 2005 02:09 PM

I disagree. The old Charlie Chan films were fun and entertaining. Who cares if it was racist. I don't. That's how things were back then and still are today.

(Reply to this)

Prosper761 writes:
on Jul 30 2005 12:11 PM

In reply to this comment (#824663)
[b]You Don't Care About Racism?!?[/b]
By not caring that something is racist, you help perpetuate racism. Everyone should care about racism and prejudices of everykind. Hate crimes to continue to rise in this country, precisely because of attitudes like yours.

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Jul 30 2005 02:23 PM

In reply to this comment (#824664)
[b]What's the big deal?[/b]
It's only a movie.

(Reply to this)

sox1919 writes:
on Jul 31 2005 11:58 AM

already, I want this movie to go away.

I have a charlie chan ringtone on my phone when my asian girlfriend calls me. I want to make 5 half-breed babies with her to help create one race in generations to come.

I am not racist, bigotted, or prejudice. But I have a sense of humor. GET OVER IT.

(Reply to this)

Rash Hunt writes:
on Aug 04 2005 10:25 AM

In reply to this comment (#824664)
Nice preaching, and it's not a matter of 'not caring' about racism. But like everything, there are details to acknowledge, especially with something as trivial as the Charlie Chan series which I still enjoy, regardless of it's (deliberate) political incorrectness.

(Reply to this)

rgglick writes:
on Sep 06 2005 09:26 PM

[b]Charlie Chan movies RACIST? ....PLEASE![/b]
I know it is very fashionable during this enlightened time that we live in to point the finger at just about anything from the past and dirty its reputation by blindly calling it "racist." Most people, I am convinced, who think that the Charlie Chan films that were hugely popular in the past, and, in fact remain so today, if they are allowed to air on TV, are somehow "racist" have probably never seen a Chan movie. Or, if they have, perhaps, actually viewed one, they can only see it through eyes clouded by preconceived notions that may have been ground into their brain by some dubious professor at some junior college film class.

I defy anyone to bring any REAL information to light that could make a real case for "racism" in Charlie Chan movies. If these films are "racist," then ANYTHING that comes to us from the same era is equally guilty. We have the luxury today to view the past through a microscope that goes far beyond the musings of a "Monday morning quarterback." Who can say how future generations will view what we consider entertaining and good?

Keye Luke, who played Charlie Chan's Number One Son in many films in the 1930s was asked in an interview about the fact that the character of Charlie Chan was played by a non-Asian. Some of the text of the interview is seen below:

INTERVIEWER: How did you feel - Some people get worried today about the fact that a Swede played an oriental, or a Hungarian - Peter Lorre - played Mr. Moto; they call this racism.

KEYE LUKE: Aaa!

INTERVIEWER: But, where does Keye Luke stand on that?

KEYE LUKE: Well, I call it artistry. I think that regardless of race, color, background, so on - if a man can create a character which you can believe, he is an artist and is entitled to the distinction of artistry, and I don't think race has a thing to do about it. Furthermore, at that time there were no Orientals around that could have possibly played that part, for one thing. They might have some today, but I don't know of any - that is, those that fit the Chan image - you know, that portly, genial sort of character.

INTERVIEWER: Yes, because he did - he was more than just the detective. He was the whole presence, wasn't he? He required a persona.

KEYE LUKE: He was the type of actor who could obliterate his own personality and create a believable character right before your eyes. Of course I had the great good fortune to work with him, and I observed how he worked. He was so thorough. If you watch him, he's as smooth as skating on ice. Never a break in there - one thing flowed into another. The words matched the looks, the looks matched the words, and the actions matched everything. He was amazing.

(Reply to this)

SamGee writes:
on Dec 01 2005 12:25 PM

[b]Charlie Chan=Respect[/b]
To best understand Charlie Chan, it is important to understand the origin of the character. Charlie's creator, Earl Derr Biggers was a successful author and playwright who went to California. While there, he was horrified to see the way Chinese people were treated.

Apparently, while vacationing in Hawaii, he was made aware of a Chinese member of the Honolulu Police Department named Chang Apana, who many believe was the model for Charlie.

The character Charlie Chan was also a member of the Honolulu PD, had a huge family, and was a brilliant internationally-respected detective. Biggers's Charlie Chan was about respect.

It is true that Hollywood did not believe a Chinese actor would be accepted as a leading man. That was as true then as it was 40 years later when David Carradine was cast as the lead in "Kung-Fu" on television.

They did, however, do the next best thing. They selected a distinguished and accomplished actor, Warner Oland, to play Charlie. Warner Oland had already made a name for himslef in the movies, sharing the screen with the likes of Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. He was also Al Jolson's Yiddish father in "The Jazz Singer." Along the way, Oland developed a reputation as a brilliant Shakespearean actor.

Of Swedish-Russian lineage, Oland did have something of an Asian appearance due to what he claimed was some "Mongolian blood in his veins." As Chan, he wore no make-up, adding only a wispy goatee to his chin.

His perfromance as Chan was one of wisdom and dignity. Following his death, the role was continued by Sidney Toler, who added a wider dimension of humor, and later by Roland Winters, who provided a more cynical portrait of the great detective.

Wherever he went in the world, Charie was universally respected by the law enforcement community. In some films he was the victim of some racial taunts but it was the taunter who came off as foolish and ignorant. Charlie always dealt with racism with benign resignation and humor .

The Charlie Chan character was always proud of his heritage as he was constantly bemused by the antics of his numerous offspring who were always played by Chinese actors and never ridiculed for their ethnicity. Charlie was a devoted family man and his children adored him. Keye Luke, the most famous of Charlie's sons, coincidentally, co-starred with David Carradine in the aforementioned "Kung-Fu" as Master Po.

Charlie Chan was a wonderful character who appeared in a wide range of movies spanning the range from excellent to indifferent. Charlie, himself, was never indifferent. He is a lasting and immortal character.

(Reply to this)

joewhite writes:
on Mar 23 2006 02:10 PM

In reply to this comment (#824668)
[b]re-thinking charlie chan[/b]

to rgglick and others who made similar points:

i think you're simplifying a much more complex issue, and that's precisely the problem. most of the time, you are basing your justifications and reasons simply on the fact that 'since its happening or it happened, then it's ok'. That's simply ignorant and just conveniently denies the deeper issues involved. i'm not saying that the films should be completely erased and never talked about or viewed, but it's important at the same time to understand what they represented and portrayed.

here's text from a older article that might give you a second take on all this:

Why Fox Should Be Applauded For Canceling Charlie Chan Tour
July 7, 2003

http://www.civilrights.org/issues/enforcement/details.cfm?id=14751

Why did Asian Americans object to the Charlie Chan film festival on FOX Movie Channel?

-- The films are offensive and a painful reminder of a time when Asian American actors were so marginalized in our society that they often weren't even allowed to play Asian characters in film. They are in "yellow face" where Caucasian men are playing the leading role who is supposed to be a Chinese American detective. They exploit racial stereotypes for entertainment value.

-- Many Asian Americans view the Charlie Chan films as do many African Americans view the Amos 'n Andy films done in "black face."

-- Asian Americans still find opportunities in Hollywood very limited to stereotypical roles and still face discrimination in American society in housing, employment and other arenas of their lives.

How do Charlie Chan films perpetuate racial stereotypes?

-- Chan is portrayed as an asexual, servile man, inscrutable and mysterious.

-- Chan is portrayed as walking with a dainty almost shuffling step.

-- Chan constantly spouts fake, fortune-cookie sayings like "Confucius says, 'Man seldom scratches where he does not itch.'"

-- Chan speaks with an overly exaggerated accent.

What is wrong with the fact that Chan is played by a Caucasian actor pretending to be Chinese made up in "yellow face," his eyes taped to look slanted, and using an exaggerated, stereotypical voice, accent and posture?

-- "Yellow face" is a reminder of the bad old days when Asian Americans were totally excluded from most jobs in the media and the mainstream, and were often mocked or demonized as foreigners.

-- The use of "yellow face" in film is degrading to Asian Americans and serves as a reminder of the racism that existed in the entertainment industry, preventing Asian American actors from taking on lead roles or even filling Asian roles.

Why are these films hurtful?

-- Chan films serve as a symbol of racism and the period in Hollywood that included the slapstick buffoonery of Stepin Fetchit and Amos n' Andy.

Is there an appropriate forum given the historical nature of these films?

-- No one wants the history of racism extinguished; films about the Holocaust are made frequently. But films from the period that are anti-Semitic are not shown as entertainment and brushed off as being a "period film."

-- The wrongs of the past should not be "buried." However, they should be put in proper context. FOX may choose to release the films on video or DVD with appropriate information on Charlie Chan as a stereotype.

Does suspending the Chan film festival ignore American history?

-- The Charlie Chan film festival was not an educational showing of the films in context, but in fact a celebration of these films. If the movies are to be used to educate others about "yellow face" and stereotypes, they should be shown in a more appropriate forum for education.

-- The suspension of the film festival does not ignore American history or attempt to erase it. In fact, it recognizes American history, as well as, our current continuing struggle with discrimination.

Is this censorship and a violation of the First Amendment?

-- No. Charlie Chan fans will be able to rent and purchase the movies and view them as often as they like.

-- In this case, consumers were telling a broadcaster that this festival celebrated films that perpetuated racism. To their credit, FOX listened and was appropriately responsive.

Is this a conspiracy to promote political correctness, claiming problems that don't exist?

-- The suspension of the Chan film festival was a grass roots groundswell of outrage amongst many Asian Americans who couldn't believe this was happening in 2003.

-- Discrimination still persists against Asian Americans as proven in many studies and the media is a very powerful medium for perpetuating or dispelling stereotypes Americans hold about minorities. The danger is beyond personal offense, but in providing an environment where Asian Americans continue to be viewed as legitimate targets of discrimination.

Is it "racist" to say a Caucasian person "can't" play an Asian person?

-- Actors playing across racial lines tend to emphasize the most stereotypical aspects of what they believe constitutes racial characteristics and often employ the grossest stereotypes.

-- In society today, it is still the case where Caucasian actors are permitted to portray any race or ethnicity but minority actors are generally limited to roles that are intended only as their ethnicity or race.

This is just a movie, why are you saying it is harmful?

-- The images that people see, on television, in the movies, in magazines and in day-to-day life help form their perceptions, opinions and attitudes which shape how they treat others in their neighborhoods, in schools and in the work place.

-- In 2001, The Committee of 100 released a report showing that 68% of Americans had at least a slightly negative view of Chinese Americans, believing that they "take too many jobs from Americans, have too much power in the business world and only care about their own kind."

-- Discrimination based on racial images still exists in America. A lawsuit recently was filed against Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) alleging discrimination in its hiring practices. The suit claims that in an effort to maintain the "A&F look," A&F recruits, hires and maintains a disproportionately Caucasian sales force and discourages minority applications or steers them toward stock room or overnight positions, away from the public eye.

-- In 2000-01, HUD conducted the first study gauging the discrimination Asian Americans faced in the housing market. In both situations, renting and buying, the study showed that over 20% of the time, Asian Americans faced discrimination in housing availability, inspections, financing assistance and agent encouragement.

-- NAPALC and its affiliates documented nearly 250 bias-motivated incidents targeting Asian Pacific Americans generally and South Asian Americans particularly in the three-month period following September 11th. This number stands in stark contrast to the approximately 400-500 anti-APA incidents annually that NAPALC has reported in previous years. Sikhs, a religious group whose members are mostly of South Asian descent, were particularly targeted because many of their men wear turbans and long beards as part of their religious observance, similar to the pictures of Osama bin Laden that were flooding the media following the 9/11 attacks.

(Reply to this)

anouchka.ai writes:
on Mar 27 2006 12:39 PM

In reply to this comment (#824668)
Ever seen Birth of a Nation?

(Reply to this)

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