July 1, 2003
Fox Drops Charlie Chan Films
Complaints From Asian Americans Prompts Action
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Sidney Toler, left, as "Charlie Chan" and Benson Fong as "Tommy Chan" in a 1940's publicity photo. (movieweb.com/20th Century Fox)
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The network said it had been "made aware" that the films, which began in the 1930s, "may contain situations or depictions that are sensitive to some viewers," according to the Times.
The Chan mystery series starred white actors - Warner Oland and later Sidney Toler - as a Chinese detective who cleverly solved various crimes. Chan's foil - his "No. 1 son" - was played by Asian actors.
The Times said the Organization of Chinese Americans Inc. was among the groups that complained about the Chan films. In a letter to Fox, the group described the movies as a "painful reminder of Hollywood's racist refusal to hire minorities to play roles that were designated for them."
In a statement, Fox invited comments from viewers, saying it hoped "this action will evoke discussion about the progress made in our modern, multicultural society," the newspaper said.
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