THE MYSTERIOUS MR MOTO
US, 1938, 63 minutes, Black-and-white.
Peter Lorre, Mary Maguire, Henry Wilcoxon, Eric Rhodes, Harold Huber, Leon Ames, Karen Sorrell/Lotus Long, John Rogers, Forrester Harvey.
Directed by Norman Foster.
This is quite an interesting Mr Moto story. It begins, quite improbably, on Devil’s Island with a criminal going through the jungle escaping along with Mr Moto. They escape a lot of the guards, find a captain who takes them to Lisbon and then they arrive in London.
The atmosphere in London is one of espionage as well as an association for assassination for significant figures – the atmosphere is a bit like some of Hitchcock’s films like Sabotage or The Man who Knew Too Much which starred Peter Lorre in 1934.
Mr Moto had been undercover, Interpol police agent, to infiltrate the association through the escaped convict (who is played by Leon Ames early in his career). Mr Moto reports the plan to Scotland Yard but serves as a servant to the escaped criminal meeting various members of the group who come to the house. The target in this story is a Czech inventor, a pacifist, but who has a formula for explosives which international powers want. There is a British character, a rough talking enthusiast who is part of the gang as well as a friend of the industrialist who turns out to be the arch-villain. Henry Wilcoxon is the inventor and Mary Maguire his loyal secretary in love with him.
Mr Moto also has a contact in Limehouse, a young woman, who gets information from the various criminals who frequent the pub.
The climax is at an art gallery, the intended victim to stand under a chandelier which would be loosened – but Mr Moto aware of the plot, arranges for the arch-villain to stand under the chandelier instead.
1. The popularity of the Mr Moto films? Peter Lorre incarnating him? Japanese, International agent, international police?
2. Small budget, supporting feature, Latin American settings, the transition to London, homes, art galleries, pubs, Scotland Yard? The musical score?
3. The opening, the escape through the jungle, the mystery? Surviving, the captain, the ship? Arriving in London? Mr Moto as the servant? His manner, subservient, small, manner of speaking?
4. The association for assassinations, the role of the escapee, the visit of the other members to the house, the international contacts? The plan to kill the industrialist? The phone calls, the threats, pushing the friend under the truck, the warning?
5. Mr Moto, visiting Scotland Yard and the discussions, wanting to move slowly and infiltrate? His going to Limehouse, the meeting with his friend, the information from her? His going to visit the industrialist? His being welcomed? His returning to the house, the plan to get him killed, to buy the fruit, the attack, his getting in the taxi and fleeing, the pursuit?
6. The industrialist, pacifist, his invention, from Czechoslovakia? The target for the assassins? His nonchalant attitude? His secretary and her devotion to him? The visit of his friend, the foppish touch, the discussions about art with Mr Moto? The friend trying to verify Mr Moto and going to Limehouse, reporting back? Saying that he had been to Scotland Yard and there were men protective for the industrialist going to the art gallery?
7. Mr Moto, shrewdness, his ability in fighting, evading pursuers? Disguises? In the art gallery, posing as the critical German? Overhearing the plans? His setting up the friend, the discussions about art, standing under the chandelier, knowing the signals, the music playing, the chandelier falling on the archvillain?
8. Mr Moto, going upstairs, the confrontation with the escapee, the fight, holding him?
9. An action adventure with the touch of espionage?
