Famous fictional detectives are often as beloved for what they say as for the mysteries they solve. For instance, Sherlock Holmes fans will recognize his “Elementary, my dear Watson”; afficionados of Inspector Clouseau from the “Pink Panther” series know he introduces himself: “I am Inspector Clouseau of the Suret”; while the enchanting Charlie Chan is known for the profound wit and playful counsel that were his trademark in Hollywood movies of the ’30s and ’40s.
Here are a few more Chan facts that may unravel any mystery surrounding him in your mind. Warner Oland was the favorite of Charlie Chan fans and his fortune-cookie wisdom-Chan says in “Charlie Chan in Shanghai” (1935), “Motive like end of string tied in many knots; end may be in sight, but hard to unravel”-and thrilling mysteries have made the character he played one of film’s most popular crime-solvers.
Now, movie lovers and Chan fans can reacquaint themselves with some of the sage detective’s greatest cases thanks to the DVD debut of four of his films: “Charlie Chan in Egypt” (which includes an early...