The Return Of Mr. Moto (1965)

An Interpol operative (Henry Silva) is assigned to assist in a case involving the destruction of oil wells in the Middle East which threatens the status quo of the major Western oil companies. Based on the character created by John P. Marquand in six novels (including STOPOVER TOKYO made into a 1957 movie in which Moto's character was eliminated entirely) and a series of Mr. Moto films starring Peter Lorre in the 1930s. Directed by Ernest Morris, this ill advised attempt to resurrect the character is a dull affair that could easily have been a TV movie pilot for a Moto TV series rather than a theatrical feature. The Mr. Moto of 1965 is younger, handsome and speaks perfect English and more of a Bond type rather than the demure Japanese gentlemen as Lorre played him. The Moto movies of the 30s were murder mysteries rather than the international spy adventure on display here. It's so lackluster that one can't even really complain about the sloppily written script. With the lovely Suzanne Lloyd, Terence Longdon, Marne Maitland and Stanley Morgan.