Charlie Chan in Shanghai

Just to let those who are more prejudice than they think: According to co-star Keye Luke Oland didn't need make-up when he played Charlie Chan; all he would do is curl down his mustache and curl up his eyebrows. In fact, the Chinese often mistook him for one of their own countrymen. He attributed this to the fact that his Russian grandmother was of Mongolian descent. It always makes me angry when people complain about actors who play other races let alone other characters, that is what actors do! Especially back in the 1970s people were always thin-skinned and did not even consider the era nor how people were in those days. They only look at these movies with modern eyes and their own set of prejudices are involved. Little people were in the entertainment business too they were making a living just like all actors do prejudice is not only harsh but rarely check the facts! These movies are awesome and should be watched to be enjoyed as the mysteries they are, I also may add Earl Derr Biggers didn't like the stereo type of the evil oriental. He wrote of a gentle, intelligent, family man, who's job was police detective, I would have loved to have known him. That he happened to be Chinese would have made no difference.