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.
Sidney Toler Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Sidney Toler reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Sidney Toler's work falls within the Mystery genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 40% of Sidney Toler's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Wide Open Faces, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Sidney Toler Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Sidney Toler's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Sidney Toler has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | That's Entertainment! | (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Best of Laurel and Hardy | Captain of SS Periwinkle (archive footage) | 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 | Hit | 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 | Orchids to You | Nick Corsini | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Romance in Manhattan | Sergeant Duffy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Operator 13 | Major Allen | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Upperworld | Officer Moran | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Blonde Venus | Detective Wilson | Hit | 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!".