Thank You Mr. Moto (1937)

In the Chinese Gobi desert, the Japanese detective Mr. Moto has discovered a scroll, one of seven, that is the missing link to a map to the treasure of Genghis Khan. But he isn't the only one after the missing scroll and the others have no compunctions on killing for it. Based on the novel by John P. Marquand and directed by Norman Foster (JOURNEY INTO FEAR). One of the better entries in the eight film Mr. Moto franchise. It may be a slight programmer but it moves quickly and the mystery is intriguing enough to hold one's attention. Peter Lorre's Moto is more intelligent than most of the other characters that surround him and he's played with dignity and avoids the usual Asian stereotypes of the period. The film also features the last film performance of the great silent actress Pauline Frederick (alas most of her silent films are considered lost which is why she isn't as well known as a Gish or Pickford). With Sidney Blackmer, Sig Rumann, John Carradine, Philip Ahn, Thomas Beck and Jayne Regan.