The last in the series - though actually filmed before Mr Moto on Danger Island. I found this hard going. It started very well, with an archeological site digging and raiding the tomb of the Queen of Sheba. But then the action shifts to San Francisco and really bogs down.
It's not exotic - the production values have trimmed right down. Moto goes to Chinatown but it's not as impressive as the Chinatown in the opening of Think Fast Mr Moto. The male and female leads are drippy though neither have much to play. There is far, far, far too much of Moto's idiot British friend - I didn't mind this sort of character in Mr Moto Takes a Chance because he wasn't in the film too much and made things worse for Moto, but this bloke (different actor playing basically same role) is just annoying as hell.
Lionel Atwill adds some class to the support but his part isn't big enough. All the tough talking gangsters and scenes with flashing neon signs in the background make this feel more like a Charlie Chan picture.
The best thing about it is the finale - there's a terrific confrontation/reveal with the killer in a darkened museum followed by a terrific fight. But too little too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment