My interest in researching Charlie Chan springs from several sources: passion for reading
and writing mysteries; dispatch training with HPD; eagerness to frequent
the Halekulani open-air restaurant House Without a Key; and one of my Flat
Stanley tours around Honolulu. As Novel Research, my theme for
AtoZChallenge2021 suggests, some of my research projects conform to the
definition of the "word" novel as an adverb: different, odd, or
unusual.
Local lore records the birth of the fictional character Charlie Chan, who appears in the mystery novels written by author Earl Derr Biggers. After Mr. Biggers, a Harvard graduate, visited Honolulu, he read about a real-life Honolulu police detective named Chang Apana. Mr. Biggers then decided to write a story set in Honolulu in which one of its characters, influenced by Honolulu Police Detective First Class Apana, was named Charlie Chan.
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Charlie Chan |
Chang Apana, known by the localized version of his Chinese name Chang Ah Ping, was born on the Island of O’ahu in 1871. He spoke fluent Hawaiian but never learned to read. As a paniolo, Hawaiian cowboy, he regularly carried a bullwhip. Later he joined the police force as its only Chinese member.
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The key on display at Honolulu Police Department |
Detective Chang patrolled areas of Chinatown, working on opium-smuggling and gambling cases. He also helped find people with leprosy who were then transported to the colony on Molokai. One story has the detective rounding up forty gamblers and marching them to the police station, with only his bullwhip for backup. (The below photo of a photograph of Detective Chang was taken at the Chinatown Satellite Police Station when I was doing a "Flat Stanley" tour for a friend.)
Earl Derr Biggers changed the racial stereotype of Chinese characters to less resemble villains like Fu Manchu. His first novel, The House Without A Key, is set in Honolulu. The restaurant of the same name, in the Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach, faces the Pacific Ocean with a beautiful view of the volcanic landmark, Diamond Head.
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View of Diamond Head from Halekulani Hotel restaurant House Without a Key |
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Detective Chang Apana photo on display at HPD
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View of Diamond Head from outer rail of House Without a Key Restaurant Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki
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This is good information to know. I remember seeing a few of the Charlie Chan movies as a kid but had no background on the origin story of the character. Sounds like the detective he is based on didn't play! Imagining him herding a bunch of street thugs with a bullwhip makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteMy A2Z for today is here:
http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/03/a2z-2021-day-3-to-cry-you-a-song-from-benefit-1970/
Yes, a bullwhip seemed to grab the attention of ne'er-do-wells quicker than a cease-and-desist order. Thanks for visiting and I'll be checking out your "C" post today.
DeleteAn interesting character, and one who hasn't really travelled that well over here to the UK, for whatever reason. Enjoying the posts!
ReplyDeletehttps://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/03/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-c/
Thanks for visiting, Iain. I am more fond of the police detective and the restaurant myself.
DeleteI rememeber watching all of Charlie Chang films when i was a kid. I seem to remember they were uite popular her ein Italy around the 1970s. Bt then,back then, a lot of black and white old movie passed on our tv.
ReplyDelete@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - The Great War
Thanks for visiting, Sarah. Have a great week-end!
DeleteI wrote a comment which disappeared before I hit 'publish' . I can't remember what I said now.... but it obviously wasn't very memorable! Interesting theme. Good luck with your AtoZ :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you visited, Jemima. Enjoy your week-end.
DeleteI like your re-definition of 'novel' to include more items. I read about Charlie Chan with curiosity. This is fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kalpana. Redefining the word gave me more latitude for topics to write about.
DeleteI didn't know this about the character, or his creator. Thank you and we'll done to another awesome post.
ReplyDeleteOh man, this is making me wish I could be in Hawaii right now. I remember that beach and that hotel. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
If it makes you feel better, Anne, it's been raining an awful lot over the past month. Just glad it's not snowing!
DeleteYou have some connection to Chicago... do you remember how WGN would play Charlie Chan and Sherlock Holmes movies on Sunday afternoons during the baseball offseason? They'd alternate between the two. This reminded me of that.
ReplyDeleteI think that was after my time there, John, but it is interesting to hear they played those movies during the baseball offseason.
DeleteIt's one of those names I've heard, but a character I knew little about - until you enlightened me. Thank you Gail!
ReplyDeleteHere's my D!
Wow, the real person sounds a lot more interesting than any fictional character...
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary
In this case, that is true.
DeleteSo interesting! I'm going to have to check out one of these books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that Charlie Chan was inspired by a real person. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteBlack and White: C for Camelot
I only discovered this myself after moving to Honolulu, Anne, even though I had read the mysteries years before.
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