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CHARLIE CHAN MEETS THE DCU (KIND OF)

Charlie Chan Meets the DCU In 1925, the American novelist and playwright, Earl Derr Biggers, wrote and published an adventure that introduced the humble Chinese detective, Charlie Chan. Since then, Charlie has appeared in many more adventures, most notably, those depicted in a classic film series that ran from 1931 to 1949, which either starred Warner Oland (1931 to 1937), Sidney Toler (1938 to 1946), or Roland Winters (1947 to 1949) playing the aforementioned detective. But did you know that some of these films featured actors who also appeared in at least one film connected with DC Comics? If not, then please have a look at this 👇.


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Charlie Chan - J. Carrol Naish


Dr. Daka - J. Carrol Naish
Name of the actor: J. Carrol Naish / Born: January 21, 1896, in New York City, New York, USA / Died: January 24, 1973, in La Jolla, California, USA (aged 77) / Years active: 1926 to 1971 / Some of their films: 'Sahara' (1943), 'A Medal for Benny' (1945), and 'Annie Get Your Gun' (1950)

How many times did this actor appear in a Charlie Chan adventure? J. Carrol Naish appeared in forty adventures associated with Charlie Chan. He first played a snake charmer in the Charlie Chan film, 'Charlie Chan at the Circus' (1936), and then years later, he played Charlie himself in thirty-nine episodes of the television show, 'The New Adventures of Charlie Chan' (1957 to 1958) / What was their connection with DC Comics? J. Carrol Naish starred in the first-ever live-action Batman film, 'The Batman' (1943), where he played a secret agent working on behalf of the Japanese Imperial government. His character didn't derive from the comic books and was called Dr. Daka.


Charlie Chan - Robert Lowery


Batman - Robert Lowery
Name of the actor: Robert Lowery / Born: October 17, 1913, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA / Died: December 26, 1971, in Los Angeles, California, USA (aged 58) / Years active: 1936 to 1967 / Some of their films: 'The Mark of Zorro' (1940), 'Revenge of the Zombies' (1943), and 'House of Horrors' (1946)

How many times did this actor appear in a Charlie Chan adventure? Robert Lowery appeared in four Charlie Chan films throughout his career, including 'Charlie Chan on Broadway' (1937), 'Charlie Chan in Reno' (1939), 'Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise' (1940), and 'Murder Over New York' (1940), where he played a variety of different roles somehow associated with Charlie's investigations / What was their connection with DC Comics? Robert was the second person to play Batman in a live-action film, several years after his predecessor, Lewis Wilson. Entitled, 'Batman and Robin' (1949), the plot for Robert's Batman film focused on the Dynamic Duo trying to track down and apprehend a hooded villain with an electronic device that remotely controls vehicles.


Charlie Chan - César Romero


Joker - César Romero
Name of the actor: César Romero / Born: February 15, 1907, in New York City, New York, USA / Died: January 1, 1994, in Santa Monica, California, USA (aged 86) / Years active: 1929 to 1993 / Some of their films: 'Week-End in Havana' (1941), 'Vera Cruz' (1954), and 'Ocean's Eleven' (1960)

How many times did this actor appear in a Charlie Chan adventure? César Romero appeared in one Charlie Chan film, 'Charlie Chan at Treasure Island' (1939), where he played a local magician somehow linked with a conniving psychic / What was their connection with DC Comics? César began his career being typecast as a Latin lover, but things changed when he grew older and was cast as the first person to play the Joker on both the big and small screens. At first, he played the Clown Prince of Crime in the film, 'Batman: The Movie' (1966), and then he played him again in the television show, 'Batman' (1966 to 1968).


Charlie Chan - George Reeves


Superman - George Reeves
Name of the actor: George Reeves / Born: January 5, 1914, in Woolstock, Iowa, USA / Died: June 16, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, USA (aged 45) / Years active: 1939 to 1959 / Some of their films: 'Gone with the Wind' (1939), 'The Adventures of Sir Galahad' (1949), and 'From Here to Eternity' (1953)

How many times did this actor appear in a Charlie Chan adventure? George Reeves appeared in one Charlie Chan film, 'Dead Men Tell' (1941), where he played a charming reporter with a secret identity / What was their connection with DC Comics? George was the second person to play Superman on the big screen and the first one to play him on the small screen. Following Kirk Alyn's tenure as the Man of Steel (see the next actor for the details 👇), George took over the role when he starred in the film, 'Superman and the Mole Men' (1951), and then when that proved to be successful, he played him again in the television show, 'Adventures of Superman' (1952 to 1958).


Charlie Chan - Kirk Alyn


Superman - Kirk Alyn
Name of the actor: Kirk Alyn / Born: October 8, 1910, in Oxford, New Jersey, USA / Died: March 14, 1999, in The Woodlands, Texas, USA (aged 88) / Years active: 1930 to 1988 / Some of their films: 'Daughter of Don Q' (1946), 'Radar Patrol vs. Spy King' (1949), and 'Atom Man vs. Superman' (1950)

How many times did this actor appear in a Charlie Chan adventure? Kirk Alyn appeared in one Charlie Chan film, 'The Trap' (1946), where he played a police sergeant who helped Charlie with his investigation / What was their connection with DC Comics? Kirk was the first actor to play three different characters affiliated with DC Comics on the big screen. Not only did he originally play Superman in the character's first live-action film, 'Superman' (1948), but he also played Blackhawk in his first live-action film, 'Blackhawk: Fearless Champion of Freedom' (1952), and Lois Lane's father, General Sam Lane, in the film, 'Superman' (1978).



In closing, I would like to mention the actress, Noel Neill, as she appeared in the last Charlie Chan film in the series, 'Sky Dragon' (1949), and she was also the first lady to play a live-action version of Lois Lane (initially opposite Kirk Alyn and then George Reeves). But aside from that, I think that's most of them, folks. Most, but not all of the actors who've appeared in at least one Charlie Chan film as well as a film affiliated with DC Comics. Out of curiosity, have you seen any of the films mentioned? And if you have, which one is your favorite and why? Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

CHARLIE CHAN MEETS THE DCU (KIND OF) CHARLIE CHAN MEETS THE DCU (KIND OF) Reviewed by David Andrews on January 29, 2025 Rating: 5

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