Sidney Toler
ActingAbout Sidney Toler
Sidney Toler (born Hooper G. Toler Jr.; April 28, 1874 – February 12, 1947) was an American actor, playwright and theatre director. The second European-American actor to play the role of Charlie Chan on screen, he is best remembered for his portrayal of the Chinese-American detective in 22 films made between 1938 and 1946. Before becoming Chan, Toler played supporting roles in 50 motion pictures and was a highly regarded comic actor on the Broadway stage.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Sidney Toler reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Mystery
The majority of Sidney Toler's filmography leans towards the Mystery genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 36% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Sidney Toler remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Wide Open Faces, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Sidney Toler Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Sidney Toler's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Sidney Toler.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | That's Entertainment! | (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Trap | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Dangerous Money | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Shadows Over Chinatown | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Dark Alibi | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Shanghai Cobra | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Red Dragon | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Scarlet Clue | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | It's in the Bag! | Detective Sully | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Jade Mask | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Black Magic | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Charlie Chan in the Secret Service | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | A Night to Remember | Inspector Hankins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Castle in the Desert | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Charlie Chan in Rio | Lt. Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Dead Men Tell | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Murder Over New York | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum | Charlie Chan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Charlie Chan in Panama | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | City in Darkness | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Charlie Chan at Treasure Island | Charlie Chan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Heritage of the Desert | Nosey | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Charlie Chan in Reno | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Kid from Kokomo | Judge William 'Gashouse' Bronson | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | King of Chinatown | Dr. Chang Ling | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Disbarred | G.L. 'Mardy' Mardeen | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Charlie Chan in Honolulu | Charlie Chan | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | If I Were King | Robin Turgis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Mysterious Rider | Frosty Kilburn | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | One Wild Night | Lawton | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Wide Open Faces | Sheriff | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Gold Is Where You Find It | Harrison McCooey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Double Wedding | Mr. Keough, Margit's Butler | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Longest Night | Captain Holt | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Our Relations | Captain of SS Periwinkle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Give Us This Night | First Carabiniere | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Three Godfathers | Professor Amos Snape | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | This Is the Life | Professor Lafcadio F. Breckenridge | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Call of the Wild | Joe Groggins | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Romance in Manhattan | Sergeant Duffy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Operator 13 | Major Allen | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Upperworld | Officer Moran | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Narrow Corner | Ryan, the Go-Between | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Blonde Venus | Detective Wilson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Phantom President | Aikenhead | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Blondie of the Follies | Pete | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Speak Easily | Stage Director | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | Madame X | Dr. Merivel | Average | Similar → |
Sidney Toler - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Sidney Toler?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Sidney Toler is "Wide Open Faces" with a rating of 8.5/10.
How many movies has Sidney Toler acted in?
Sidney Toler has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Sidney Toler?
Other notable films include "Romance in Manhattan", "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum", and "That's Entertainment!".