Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938)

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

best movie i've ever seen.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre) investigates a murder during a boxing match, with unwanted help from Charlie's Chan's "Number One Son" Lee (Keye Luke). Most people probably know this, but originally this was intended to be a Charlie Chan film. But when troubled Chan star Warner Oland walked off the set, they reworked the story and turned it into a Moto movie. This explains the appearance of Lee Chan. It also explains why Mr. Moto is less edgy than in his first two films. Here he resemble a more traditional detective like Charlie Chan.While I love Charlie Chan, Peter Lorre is kind of wasted in this type of role. He's better suited to roles with a little menace to them. Keye Luke is fine but the chemistry and rapport he had with Warner Oland is missing. Also appearing are Harold Huber, Douglas Fowley, and beautiful Lynn Bari -- each no stranger to the Charlie Chan series. In addition, there's Ward Bond, George E. Stone, and Maxie Rosenbloom. Lon Chaney, Jr. has a small part. Given the troubled backstory behind the movie, I'm surprised it turns out as well as it does. But a good cast goes a long way with these old detective movies.

Interesting back story. This third installment of the Mr. Moto series was originally to be a Charlie Chan movie; but many circumstances involving Warner Oland caused the Chan feature to be scrapped. Mr. Moto(Peter Lorre)is conducting a criminology class and one of his students happens to be Lee Chan(Keye Luke). The young Chan and another student, 'Knock-Out Wellington'(Maxie Rosenbloom),help the Japanese sleuth Moto investigate the murder of a prizefighter. The victim is poisoned during a boxing match; local investigator Lt. Riggs(Harold Huber)needs all the help he can get to solve this mystery. Newspaper writer Penny Kendall(Lynn Bari)starts a campaign to clear championship contender Bill Steele(Dick Baldwin)from the murder charges. It is suspected the real killer will strike again during the championship bout between Steele and the current champ Biff Moran(Ward Bond). Moto takes on some of the characteristics of Charlie Chan since the original script wasn't changed that much. It is a bit different seeing Moto with his physical antics toned down. But gumshoe Kentaro Moto will get to continue solving mysteries. Other players: Jayne Regan, John Hamilton, George E. Stone and Lon Chaney Jr. It should be noted this film is directed by familiar Chan series director James Tinling.

I'd consider this one of the better of Peter Lorre's eight Mr. Moto films, with a good story of ringside gambling and crooks. The mysterious Japanese investigator must unravel what happened when a boxer was killed during a match. This one's got a well rounded cast too, beginning with Keye Luke making an appearance as none other than Charlie Chan's son, who is enrolled in a class which Mr. Moto is teaching. Also featuring Lon Chaney Jr. as a thug, and John Hamilton (Perry White on TV's SUPERMAN), too. Former real-life boxer-turned-actor Maxie Roosenbloom is the dimwitted comic relief. While watching and enjoying this entry I had the feeling that this was not in the same mold as previous Moto films I've seen. It was after the movie ended that I learned why via an informative bonus feature on the DVD -- MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE was originally scripted to be another Warner Oland Charlie Chan film for Fox, but Oland was having problems at the time, so the script was rebooted as a Mr. Moto film, with Peter Lorre practically doing Warner Oland. *** out of ****

Due to the illness of Chan star Warner Oland, this film's script had to be turned into a Mr. Moto movie. I feel this is the weakest entry in the Fox Moto series with Peter Lorre. The film is set in the New York boxing world. I've never been a fan of boxing--so the atmosphere did nothing for me. Lorre is his usual great self. That can't be taken away. And the film has the bonus of Keye Luke reprising his role as Charlie's Number One Son, Lee Chan, for the last time at 20th Century Fox. (He would play the Lee role twice more in the last two Monogram Chans.) But even with Lorre and Luke, this one is a bit weak. It might have been better if filmed with Mr. Oland as an actual Charlie Chan film. Still--it is worth seeing.