Search This Blog

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Mr. Moto In Danger Island (1939)

A Japanese detective (Peter Lorre) arrives in Puerto Rico to find the murderer of an American agent who was killed when he got too close to discovering who was flooding the world's jewel markets with contraband diamonds. Based on the novel MURDER IN TRINIDAD by John W. Vandercook (previously filmed in 1934) and directed by Herbert I. Leeds (CHARLIE CHAN IN CITY IN DARKNESS). Originally intended as part of the Charlie Chan franchise, it was switched to a vehicle for Peter Lorre's Mr. Moto character. It's one of the least effective efforts in the Mr. Moto series. The mystery isn't very engaging, the characters are dull and the comedy relief provided by Warren Hymer as a pea brained wrestler sidekick of Moto is more annoying than amusing. If you're not a fan of the Moto series, you can safely skip it. With Jean Hersholt, Leon Ames, Douglass Dumbrille, Ward Bond, Robert Lowery, Willie Best  and Amanda Duff. 

No comments:

Post a Comment