 Chinese audiences also saw the original American Charlie Chan films . They were by far the most popular American films in 1930s China and among Chinese expatriates ; " one of the reasons for this acceptance was this was the first time Chinese audiences saw a positive Chinese character in an American film , a departure from the sinister East Asian stereotypes in earlier movies like Thief of Baghdad and Welcome Danger , which incited riots that shut down the Shanghai theater showing it . " Oland 's visit to China was reported extensively in Chinese newspapers , and the actor was respectfully called " Mr. Chan " . 
