In 1928 Chang (then still Li Ho Chang) retired in New York after having made a fortune in Latin America with his illusion show. He entered the motion picture business. "Talkies" had just begun and he reportedly produced the first movie in Spanish. He lost all his fortune in this venture and was soon back performing magic. On the week beginning Saturday, September 7, 1929 he was topping the bill at the famous Roxy Theater in New York.