Mask Of The Dragon (1951)

An American soldier (Richard Emory) agrees to deliver a jade dragon to a curio shop in Los Angeles. Soon after his return to the states, he is murdered. A private detective (Richard Travis) who was his best friend investigates. Directed by Sam Newfield (OUTLAW WOMEN). A poverty row (and I do mean poverty) potboiler that's barely an hour long! Cheaply made and it looks it, badly acted and with annoying comedy relief that seems out of place. That's courtesy of Sid Melton as a thug involved in contraband. His wisecracks seem more appropriate to a TV sitcom than a mystery thriller. As the gumshoe, Richard Travis has to be the most inept private detective ever put on screen. He makes Inspector Clouseau look like Sherlock Holmes! No suspense, no mystery, no style. With Sheila Ryan, Lyle Talbot and Michael Whalen.