Watch The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan
- 1972
- 1 Season
-
6.3 (244)
In the early 1970s, CBS introduced a new and exciting animated series called The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan. The show featured an Asian-American family who used their unique talents and teamwork to solve mysteries and crimes around the world. The series premiered in September 1972 and ran for one season, with 16 episodes in total.
The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan follows the adventures of a family of 10, led by Mr. Chan, a renowned detective who works for Interpol. He and his wife travel the world, leaving their 10 children at home under the care of their eldest, Henry Chan. The clan is made up of five boys: Alan, Tom, Flip, Scooter, and Mimi; and five girls: Anne, Suzie, Nancy, Toma, and Chu Chu.
The main plot of each episode revolves around the Clan encountering and solving a new mystery, with the help of their Uncle Charlie, who provides tips and clues from afar. The Clan utilizes their unique talents to gather evidence and solve each case, whether it be Anne's expertise in photography, Alan's martial arts, or Tom's mechanical skills.
The series drew inspiration from the character of Charlie Chan, a fictional detective in a series of novels and films. However, unlike the original character, the Chan Clan portrays a positive, empowering image of Asian-Americans, with each member of the family showcasing their own individual strengths and abilities.
The animation style of The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan was innovative for its time, utilizing a technique called "rotoscoping". This involved tracing over live-action footage to produce smoother and more detailed animation. The show's visual style is bright and colorful, with a 70s vibe that is still charming today.
The voice cast of The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan is impressive, featuring a mix of well-known actors and up-and-comers. Don Messick, famous for voicing Scooby-Doo, plays the roles of both Mr. Chan and Chu Chu. Keye Luke, who played the original "Number One Son" in the Charlie Chan films, voices Charlie Chan's nephew, Uncle Charlie. Gene Andrusco voices the eldest Chan son, Henry, while Brian Tochi, Lennie Weinrib, and Jodie Foster round out the cast as Alan, Tom, and Anne, respectively. Robert Ito, who later went on to play Sam Fujiyama in the original 5-0 series, also provided voice work in the show.
The show's catchy theme song, "The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan", was composed by Hoyt Curtin, who also wrote music for other Hanna-Barbera classics like The Flintstones and The Jetsons. The song features a memorable melody and lyrics that sum up the show's premise in a fun and catchy way.
Despite its relatively short run, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan has developed a cult following over the years. The show's portrayal of an Asian-American family in a positive and empowering light was rare for its time, and the Clan's unique talents and teamwork made for entertaining and inspiring viewing. The show's animation style and catchy theme song are also beloved by fans.
Overall, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan is a fun, entertaining, and empowering animated series that is still well worth watching today. The show's unique premise, memorable characters, and innovative animation style make it a true gem of 70s animation.
The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan is a series that ran for 1 seasons (16 episodes) between September 9, 1972 and on CBS