 When Fox decided to produce no further Chan films , Sidney Toler purchased the film rights . Producers Philip N. Krasne and James S. Burkett of Monogram Pictures produced and released further Chan films , starring Toler . The budget for these films was reduced from Fox 's average of $ 200 @,@ 000 to $ 75 @,@ 000 . For the first time , Chan was portrayed on occasion as " openly contemptuous of suspects and superiors . " African @-@ American comedic actor Mantan Moreland played chauffeur Birmingham Brown in 13 films ( 1944 – 1949 ) which led to criticism of the Monogram films in the forties and since ; some call his performances " brilliant comic turns " , while others describe Moreland 's roles as an offensive and embarrassing stereotype . Toler died in 1947 and was succeeded by Roland Winters for six films . Keye Luke , missing from the series after 1938 's Mr. Moto rework , returned as Charlie 's son in the last two entries . 
