Thank You, Mr. Moto

source: Thank You, Mr. Moto

Trailer—Thank You, Mr. Moto

Thank You, Mr. Moto

This is the second of the Moto series based on J.P. Marquand's novels. Mild mannered Japanese investigator Mr. Moto(Lorre)comes into possession of an ancient Chinese scroll. Ruthless fortune hunters want to get their hands on the valuable scroll, because it is the missing piece of a seven scroll set that belongs to a royal Chinese family. The scrolls reveal the location of Genghis Khan's tomb and treasures. Lorre is outstanding in this 67 minute crime adventure. Philip Ahn is faultless as Prince Chung. Thomas Beck and Jayne Regan play a young couple who would like to have the scroll, but at first don't realize how important the piece of art is. This movie was released at Christmas 1937. Other players include: Pauline Frederick, Sidney Blackmer, Sig Ruman and John Carradine.

I am not that used to see such small budget stuff destined to double feature movie theaters during the thirties, forties and a bit less in the fifties. There also was many other heroes: CHARLE CHAN, LONE WOLF, CRIME DOCTOR...This kind of stuff existed before rise of TV industry and episodes series; the same with westerns short ones, below one hour, for theaters before later on TV sets. It is short, sometimes fun to watch, no matter acting. I have seen other MR MOTO adventures in the past, a long time ago, so I don't know how to place this one, compared to the others. I would have been surprised not to see Philip Ahn in this Asian oriented story; Ahn played in EVERY movie speaking of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese communauties and made between thirties and sixties. I don't even speak of TV material, hundreds of them.

It's too bad this Moto entry strayed so far from its source material, as the arrogant Chinese prince and bandits in the original John P. Marquand novel were ever so much more interesting than the generic Eurogangsters and Philip Ahn's creepily Oedipal Prince Cheung in this one. Though the portrayal of Moto in the Peter Lorre-Sol Wurtzel series was never more than sketchy, he's even more fragmented motivationally in this lively but logistically incoherent adventure. Peter seems to have given up all hope of establishing a dramatic through-line and just plays it scene by scene according to whatever mood he was in, which makes it all the more dizzying to try and follow.

Exemplary Mr Moto entry is the darkest in the series and boasts a compelling emotional undertow that's as effective as it is unexpected. For once, the lame comic relief is expunged (studio execs, no doubt, forced its quick return) which allows Peter Lorre's wonderful characterization an extra bit of space to work in while following the procedural detective tropes and handling Moto's apt witticisms. (That's Lorre's stunt double handling the physical stuff.) The basic story involving some antique Chinese scrolls that make up a sort of treasure map was (atypically) based on a novel by Moto creator John P. Marquand and this may add to the tough, blunt tone hiding just below the surface. All the Moto films entertain, but this one sticks with you.

The second Mr. Moto feature finds Peter Lorre on the Chinese frontier of the Gobi Desert with an archaeological expedition finding the last of a set of seven scrolls. They allegedly will lead to the as yet undiscovered tomb of Genghis Khan. Undiscovered and hopefully unpilfered like King Tut's tomb was it will contain fabulous riches. At least that's what villains Sidney Blackmer and two timing wife Nedda Harrigan hope for. Blackmer has already killed Harrigan's husband Sig Ruman for the other scrolls. Mother and son Philip Ahn and Pauline Frederick also die for these scrolls in one of the bloodiest of Mr. Moto features. Of course in the end Moto does triumph and when he does he keeps a vow to a dying man. He also plays on Frederick's jealousy and knowledge of what a rat Blackmer can be. Fans of the series will like this.

This is a fairly typical Mr. Moto film from the superb B-unit at Twentieth Century Fox, but I was quite surprised by certain elements of depth in the film. There are moments of brutality that exceed what was standard in films, especially B-films, of the time. But more interesting was the emotional factor. One scene, the last scene between Peter Lorre's Moto and Philip Ahn's Prince Chung, is really amazing for its humanity and poignant quality, something not readily found in 67-minute programmers of the period. The Moto films, like the Charlie Chans Fox made, are all splendidly made little pictures. This one is better than most.

Enjoyed this 1937 film starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Kentaro Moto who is an Interpole Detective and also an adventurer. Mr. Moto is assigned to track down some very rare Chinese scrolls or Treasure Maps which will lead to the secret treasure of Genghis Khan worth over 10 Million Dollars. There are many women and men looking for these maps and they need all seven of them in order to solve the mystery as to just where the Genghis Khan fortune is hidden. John Carradine gives a great supporting role as a Peniera, Antique Dealer who is a very shady character and tries to sell people phony antiques at very high prices. Peter Lorre tried to play a Chinese Detective, but I am afraid his voice and rolling hard boiled eyes gives him away. This is a very entertaining film and if you like Peter Lorre, you will love this Moto Series. Enjoy.