Mr. Moto Collection - Vol. 2 (1939)

When Mr. Moto the no-nonsense martial arts-savvy Japanese detective inspired by J. P. Marquand's best-selling books hit the big screen he infused the genre with an exotic flare it hadn't previously known. Fans of film noir mystery and crime thrillers had a new hero. This outstanding collection includes four favorite Mr. Moto hits all starring the inimitable Peter Lorre as the world famous sleuth. And as a special bonus the 1965 feature film The Return Of Mr. Moto starring Henry Silva is included!Includes:Mr. Moto In Danger IslandMr. Moto's GambleMr. Moto's Last WarningThink Fast Mr. MotoSystem Requirements:Run Time: 265 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE Rating: NR UPC: 024543381808 Manufacturer No: 2238180 Product Description

Kentaro Moto versus Joanie Weston...a tough choice, but I'll bet on Joanie

By now the Mr. Moto series has settled for the most part into the standard low budget conventions of minimal investment by the studio in the hope of maximum return. Kentaro Moto is still interesting, a combination of politeness, a clever mind and violence. Peter Lorre makes him worth watching, but Lorre, who resented being stuck in these programmers and not making much money out of them, is just doing what he has to do. That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing in a programmer if the plots were complicated, the dialogue displayed writing skill and the acting went beyond moustache twirling. That's not the case with some of these four.

Mr. Moto in Danger Island:
Moto is in Puerto Rico to crack a case of diamond smuggling. Cheap South American diamonds are flowing through Puerto Rica and flooding the world market. To catch the bad guys Moto will have to deal with a well-meaning governor, his blustery commissioner, assorted suspicious planters and shippers, and a swamp full of mud and quicksand. Mr. Moto in Danger Island is a B movie with a lazy plot, filled with flaccid clues and regularly punctuated by close-ups of one leading player looking suspiciously at another.

For a few old timers, however, Mr. Moto in Danger Island brings up memories of hard action, brutal tactics and a final score so closely fought only screaming can release the tension. If you can remember Dick Lane, who plays Commissioner Gordon in this movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. Lane played small parts in innumerable low-budget movies during the Thirties and Forties. He was always a big mouth, energetic blusterer. But in the Fifties he made his reputation as the voice of Roller Derby. For fans of Roller Derby's classic age, may his name be spoken with respect. He could do full justice describing the feats of such Roller Derby megastars as Ann "Banana Nose" Calvello, Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn, Charlie O'Connell and the great Blonde Bomber herself, Joanie Weston. Weston was something to see as she flew around the banked track, laying waste to anyone in her way. Said Frank Deford once, "She is not only the best skater, but she clearly looks the part as well. With her bleach-blonde pigtails flowing out from beneath her shiny black pivot helmet, Joanie appears like a brave Viking queen in full battle regalia."

Mr. Moto's Gamble:
"To reveal a snake, one must overturn a rock" is a bit of eastern zoological wisdom Mr. Moto shares with us in Mr. Moto's Gamble. Is this flabby philosopher the Kentaro Moto who works for a secret international organization devoted to bringing down the worst of crooks? Is this the man who spins and flattens bad guys with precision judo? Is this the man who kills criminals while smiling? No. He's Charlie Chan in disguise, and the new make-up doesn't do much for either of them.

When Warner Oland walked off the set a week into the production of Charlie Chan at the Fights with clearly no plans to return, the studio took the Chan script and simply substituted Kentaro Moto's name every time Chan was mentioned. Peter Lorre was under contract and was told to show up as Moto. The movie was made with scarcely a pause. The result was a corny programmer where a boxer dies in the ring because the deadly poison known as amarone was somehow sprayed onto his opponent's gloves. Peter Lorre may not seem exactly bored, but he doesn't seem especially involved, either.

Mr. Moto's Last Warning:
By now the Mr. Moto series was no more than the Saturday matinee filler Peter Lorre knew it would become. We're in Egypt and an unknown country is plotting to create an incident involving the Suez Canal that will have France and Britain at each other's throats. However, Kentaro Moto of the International Police has been working to expose this plot for weeks. Even so, Moto quickly finds he is alone. Every time he thinks he can call for assistance, death gets in the way. Finally, with only a foolish Englishman to help, Moto prevails and world peace is insured.

Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation:
The stars of Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation include Peter Lorre, of course, but also Norman Foster and Philip Macdonald. Foster returned to the Moto series to direct this last one. He also co-wrote the script in collaboration MacDonald, with whom he'd worked on several of the others. The difference, compared to the last couple of Moto movies, is striking. There's a faster-pace that even includes some irony. The photography is better, with artfully lit back alleys and threatening streets. Best of all, we're out of all that soggy quicksand and jungle temples from some of the other Moto movies. We're in San Francisco, where the sets look substantial and where even Chinatown restaurants can seem sinister.

Kentaro Moto is in San Francisco to protect the newly discovered Crown of Balkis, worn by the Queen of Sheba. It's on display in the Fremont Museum and Moto knows that the mysterious arch criminal, Metaxa, will be compelled to steal it. Moto is determined to catch the man. It all adds up to an effective, well-crafted, low budget programmer. Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation was the last in the series and probably few series programmers left on better terms with the audience.

The DVD transfers are just fine for the four films that make up The Mr. Moto Collection-Volume Two. June 9, 2008

mystery

I have watched moto movies many times and very pleased with them this set is wonderful and no one takes the part as good as any actor but Peter Lorre. peter makes the movie and pity they dont release more of the series. out of all T V series and Movies it is the best you will ever get and for the low price they are sold at. the prints are very good and sound also. well worth buying for any collection I recommend it as 5 stars a great selection. do buy it if you like Peter Lorre. he takes the part very well. they dont make them like that anymore. March 24, 2008

Equally enjoyable as Vol. 1

I enjoyed watching Vol. 2 as much as I enjoyed Vol.1. The transfers to digital are pristine. The films allow us to recollect another time and day in the American Film industry and in America herself...enjoy... March 15, 2008

Moto Vol ll

good storylines and diologue Rec. highly


artie March 10, 2008

Oh so?" This Moto Collection is Also Excellent!

Peter Lorre is wonderful as the "action" detective of his time (the 1930s), providing an excellent counterpoint to the more analytical Charlie Chan and Sherlock Holmes. I own the complete DVD collections of Moto, Chan, and Holmes, and enjoy viewing all of these films over and over again in rotation. The Moto films are terrific - I haven't found a clunker in the bunch. Highly recommended! February 28, 2008

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