Actor Warner Oland death... Charlie Chan...
Item # 725807
August 07, 1938
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 7, 1938
* Warner Oland death (1st report)
* Hollywood actor of Chinese characters
* Charlie Chan & Fu Manchu
The top of page 32 has a one column heading: "WARNER OLAND, 57, SCREEN STAR, DIES" with subheads and photo. (see) Nice to have in this World famous publication.
Complete 1st section only with 34 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
background: Warner Oland was a Swedish-born character actor who achieved unlikely superstardom in 1930s Hollywood by becoming the definitive face of Charlie Chan, the "honorable" Honolulu police detective. Despite his Scandinavian heritage, Oland’s career was defined by yellowface performances, a practice where white actors were cast in Asian roles using heavy makeup and exaggerated mannerisms. While Oland’s portrayal of Chan was groundbreaking for presenting an Asian character as a brilliant, benevolent hero rather than a "Yellow Peril" villain, it remains a controversial legacy due to the systemic exclusion of actual Asian actors like his co-star Keye Luke from lead roles. Oland’s tenure as Chan spanned 16 films, but his success was deeply undercut by a worsening battle with alcoholism and declining health; his professional life ended abruptly when he walked off the set of a film in 1938 and traveled back to Sweden, where he died of bronchial pneumonia shortly thereafter.
* Warner Oland death (1st report)
* Hollywood actor of Chinese characters
* Charlie Chan & Fu Manchu
The top of page 32 has a one column heading: "WARNER OLAND, 57, SCREEN STAR, DIES" with subheads and photo. (see) Nice to have in this World famous publication.
Complete 1st section only with 34 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
background: Warner Oland was a Swedish-born character actor who achieved unlikely superstardom in 1930s Hollywood by becoming the definitive face of Charlie Chan, the "honorable" Honolulu police detective. Despite his Scandinavian heritage, Oland’s career was defined by yellowface performances, a practice where white actors were cast in Asian roles using heavy makeup and exaggerated mannerisms. While Oland’s portrayal of Chan was groundbreaking for presenting an Asian character as a brilliant, benevolent hero rather than a "Yellow Peril" villain, it remains a controversial legacy due to the systemic exclusion of actual Asian actors like his co-star Keye Luke from lead roles. Oland’s tenure as Chan spanned 16 films, but his success was deeply undercut by a worsening battle with alcoholism and declining health; his professional life ended abruptly when he walked off the set of a film in 1938 and traveled back to Sweden, where he died of bronchial pneumonia shortly thereafter.
Category: The 20th Century
