MYSTERIOUS MR. MOTO

Director: Norman Foster
Stars: Peter Lorre, Leon Ames, Mary Maguire, Henry Wilcoxon, Harold Huber, Erik Rhodes
Year: 1938
Rating: N/R

In maybe the best film in the series (at least, of the ones I've seen so far), Peter Lorre returns as Japanese detective Mr. Moto of the International Police, this time in London seeking to break up a notorious gang of killers known only as the League of Assassins.

The film opens on Devil's Island, with the prison escape of Paul Brissac (veteran character actor Leon Ames) as aided by his cellmate Ito (Mr. Moto, in disguise). The two inmates get away from the cops after them, with Brissac's eventual destination being London - and when Mr. Moto, as Ito, talks Brissac into taking him along as his manservant, things seem set up for Moto to infiltrate the gang at last.

But at Moto learns of more and more of the assassins who are in London, he has yet to learn of WHY they are in London ... or, more to the point, who their leader is. Even a trip to New Scotland Yard, to fulfill his obligation of letting the local authorities know he's in town to work on the case, meet with disapproval from the man in charge because he won't divulge any detailed information.

Meanwhile, the gang has their target in site: steelmaker king Anton Darvak (Henry Wilcoxon), in London from Prague, who has a secret formula the gang wants. Constant threats to Darvak - to either turn over the formula or get killed - don't seem to phase the millionaire businessman, however, even as Darvak's secretary, Mary (Ann Richmond), begs him to seek the police for help. But Mr. Moto's investigation soon leads to Darvak, and a couple of bar fights and a brilliant finale in an art gallery have Mr. Moto - once again - saving the day.

It's all here in this one - action, mystery, suspense, and a way-cool, very satisfying ending. Along the way, you have the usual politically-incorrect dialogue and characterizations, along with a bit of humor tossed in like seasoning - but the fun and adventure and mystery of the film will quickly help viewers to suspend any disbelief in order to just sit back and enjoy the story. Peter Lorre is at his best as Moto here, bringing heart and humor to the detective who seems phased by nothing, and the action/fight scenes are rousing and just plain fun to watch. What a great entry in the series, with Lorre (along with an awesome supporting cast of fine character actors) making it all a blast to watch. ****1/2 - Reel Awesome-Reel Must-See