Mr. Moto Takes a Chance (1938)

In the jungle near Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Mr. Moto poses as an ineffectual archaeologist and a venerable holy man with mystical powers to help foil two insurgencies against the government.

Director:

Norman Foster

Writers:

Lou Breslow (screenplay), John Patrick (screenplay),

Stars:

Peter Lorre, Rochelle Hudson, Robert Kent

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Lorre	...	Mr. Moto
Rochelle Hudson	...	Victoria Mason
Robert Kent	...	Marty Weston
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Rajah Ali
Chick Chandler	...	Chick Davis
George Regas	...	Bokor
Frederick Vogeding	...	Zimmerman (as Fredrik Vogeding)

Storyline

Beautiful aviatrix Victoria Mason teams up with Mr. Moto in South East Asia to uncover a murderous village high priest who is trying to overthrow the ruling Rajah Ali.

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Plot Keywords:

village | priest | martial arts | martial artist | fourth part | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Oportunidade de Mr. Moto

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in 1937, not released until 1938.

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Goofs

When Moto, in the guise of the elderly guru, is charming the snake in the basket, the wire operating the supposedly live snake is visible.

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Connections

Followed by Mr. Moto's Last Warning (1939)

User Reviews

Stark naked shoulder feast!

For the 4th Fox Moto the script took a nosedive and crashed like Rochell Hudson's plane did at the beginning. You could tell it was going to be a bumpy ride as she was flying over Angkor Wat and awe-struck by its beauty for a full half second. The overall intelligent production and sinister atmosphere generated by the sets more than make up for it though and keep me coming back.

"Grave-digger" Moto played beautifully superciliously by Peter Lorre is trying to discover and stop a plot to overthrow a Cambodian Rajah (?) played by mincing and wincing J. Edward Bromberg. Two grade A American newsreel cameramen get in the way, one falling for Hudson the other supplying the comedy. It takes a long time coming but the 2 Yanks escape an execution, Moto gets to show his incredible disguising (!) and energetic jujitsu skills off, and Hudson nearly got raped too (well, what was that about with the pervy High Priest if not?!) The High Priest/Temple scenes reminded me of George Zucco in The Mummy's Hand a few years later, another great film with a gossamer-like plot than smacked of Serial. Even so, there's a few surprises along the way, and the 61 minute running time simply flew by, because you see, I enjoy watching this type of movie: I can laugh at its many faults at the same time as revelling in its many good points.

I only wish they had made this as a 13 part serial, there'd be so much more to enjoy.