In addition to membership meetings, the group will host two events which will be open to the public. On Friday, August 15th, there will be a panel discussion at the Warren-Trumbull Public Library, as well as the viewing at Warren’s historic Robins Theatre of the 1939 movie Charlie Chan at Treasure Island, which many consider “a favorite” of the Charlie Chan film series. For more details and reservations visit: Warren County Library: https://wtcpl.events.mylibrary.digital/?view=calendar Robins Theater: https://robinstheatre.com/events/

Between 1925 and 1932, Earl Derr Biggers wrote a total of six Charlie Chan novels: The House Without a Key, The Chinese Parrot, Behind That Curtain, The Black Camel, Charlie Chan Carries On, and Keeper of the Keys. The Charlie Chan character, beloved by the public, appeared in nearly four dozen Hollywood films which were enjoyed by mystery fans around the globe. Unlike most American Detectives, who emerged following the Golden Age of Detective fiction (between the First and Second World Wars) Detective Chan was unlike any other. He was not wealthy, quick with his fists, a dead shot…or Caucasian. He was Chinese, from Hawaii, a family man, father of eventually 111 children, and, rarely using a pistol or his fists, he used his brain and wits. He was unique in this and memorable for quoting philosophical words of wisdom, known as aphorisms. What most people don’t know is that Earl Derr Biggers was inspired by real life Detective Chang Apana of the Honolulu Police Department as the basis for his Charlie Chan character!

The library event will host three speakers from 2PM to 4PM. Mr. Rush Glick, Webmaster of The Charlie Chan Family Home, will speak on Detective Charlie Chan’s transition from the novels to the silver screen. Mr. Lou Armagno, Webmaster at The Postman on Holiday and Author will talk of the aphorisms of Charlie Chan. And Dr. Michael Votta, Jr., Interim Director of the School of Music at the University of Maryland, will speak about the music melodies in the Charlie Chan films. A question-answer session will follow.