Gracias, Mr. Moto

Peter Lorre is in top form as Mr. Moto in "Thank you, Mr. Moto," the 1937 second entry into the series.

Here Mr. Moto is on the trail of ancient scrolls that, once put together, lead one to the grave of Genghis Khan and millions of dollars. Moto has one scroll; the rest of them are owned by Madame Chung and her son (Pauline Frederick and Philip Ahn), who protect them as a duty to their ancestors, to keep the grave of Genghis Khan from desecration. Naturally there is a nefarious bunch after the scrolls, including Sidney Blackmer, Nedda Harrigan, and Sig Rumann. John Carradine is on hand as an unscrupulous antique dealer, rounding out a good cast with Jayne Regan and Tom Nelson as the young leads.

Chase scenes, murder, and gunfire all are aplenty here, but the end is very touching. Peter Lorre is marvelous. It's a shame that once Pearl Harbor was bombed, we had to say goodbye to Mr. Moto.