The Mystery of Mr. Wong (1939)

Director:

William Nigh

Writers:

Scott Darling (screenplay)
Hugh Wiley (based on the "James Lee Wong" Series in Collier's Magazine written by)

Release Date:

8 March 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery

Tagline:

Mote tingling mystery thrills from the new Chinese detective sensation! (original poster)

Plot:

Detective tries to solve the murder of antiques collector who was in possession of a famous jewel known as "The Eye of the Daugther of The Moon."

Plot Keywords:

China | Mr Wong | Gem | Party | Game

Cast

Boris Karloff	...	James Lee Wong
Grant Withers	...	Police Capt. Sam Street
Dorothy Tree	...	Valerie Edwards
Craig Reynolds	...	Peter Harrison
Ivan Lebedeff	...	Michael Strogonoff
Holmes Herbert	...	Prof. Ed Janney
Morgan Wallace	...	Brendan Edwards
Lotus Long	...	Drina, the Maid
Chester Gan	...	Sing, the Butler
Hooper Atchley	...	Carslake
Bruce Wong	...	Asian Man
Jack Kennedy	...	Police Guard
Joe Devlin	...	Police Lt. George Devlin
Lee Tung Foo	...	Willie (as Lee Tong Foo)
Wilbur Mack	...	Ballistics Expert
Dick Morehead	...	Police Detective
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Charades-Player (uncredited)

Directed by
William Nigh

Writing credits
Scott Darling		(screenplay)
Hugh Wiley		(based on the "James Lee Wong" Series in Collier's Magazine written by)

Produced by
William T. Lackey	....	associate producer (as William Lackey)
Scott R. Dunlap	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Edward J. Kay		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Harry Neumann		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Russell F. Schoengarth		(as Russell Schoengarth)

Art Direction by
E.R. Hickson		(uncredited)

Production Management
Charles J. Bigelow	....	production manager (as Chas. J. Bigelow)
Scott R. Dunlap	....	in charge of production

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
W.B. Eason	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Karl Zint	....	recording engineer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Louis Brown	....	wardrobe

Music Department
Edward J. Kay	....	musical director (as Edward Kay)
Edward J. Kay	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)

Other crew
E.R. Hickson	....	technical director

Production Companies

• Monogram Pictures

Distributors

• Monogram Pictures (1939) (USA) (theatrical)
• Associated British Film Distributors (ABFD) (1939) (UK) (theatrical)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• Critics' Choice Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Liberty Home Video (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• Passport Video (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media) (non-theatrical)
• International Film Releasing (????) (UK) (theatrical)
• Reel Enterprises (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• UBFilm.com (2012) (USA) (all media)
• VCI Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• VCI Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Screen Time Images  audio restoration
• Screen Time Images  film restoration

Also Known As:

Runtime:

68 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Monogram Pictures

Trivia:

Filming began early February 1939, the second of the 6-film series, and Boris Karloff's first feature following Son of Frankenstein (1939)

Quotes:

[first lines]
Sing, the Butler:Good morning, sir.
Brandon Edwards:Morning.
[the butler begins to take his coat]
Brandon Edwards:Never mind! The mistress up yet?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mammoth (2006) (TV)

Amazingly Complex

What's interesting about 30's mysteries is their variety. The business in partnership with viewers were working out the few modes that would survive. Today we are stuck with only a few of the possibilities; everything else feels wrong because of the expectations we bring to them.

Its not important that this detective is yet another well known white actor in Chinese makeup. What's important is how complex is the mystery, how much we learn as viewers before the detective does (nothing), and how the solution is unrolled at the end.

The notable thing here is how complex the plot is. It is every bit as complex as the Perry Mason things that would come only a little later. But it is ever so much more difficult for us because they've experimented with hiding critical details. If you watch this with modern sensibilities, you'll be baffled.

The setup is a great one, folded of course: the murder happens during a game of charades where the actors are acting out a mystery, and the audience is guessing but has no clue.

Sweet, that. But otherwise, watch this only if you are a student.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.