Customer Reviews

Mr. Moto's Last Warning

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

MR. MOTO'S LAST WARNING (1939) is an interesting and entertaining final entry in the Moto series that starred Austrian- born actor Peter Lorre as the Japanese super sleuth. LAST WARNING takes place in Port Said, Egypt. A scrum of scoundrels are scheming to surreptitiously blow up Allied battle ships and foment distrust between France and England.
Chief scoundrel being Ricardo Cortez, here playing a foreign agent masquerading as a ventriloquist - Fabian the Great & Alf is the name of his act. Rounding out the cast is a number of skilled Fox contracts players - John Carradine, Virginia Fields, and George Sanders being among the more recognizable names.
This Alpha discount dvd of a public domain movie is pretty chopped up. The black and white images are murky, there are a number of scratches on the print, and for some odd reason the opening title sequence is missing. It's a chore to watch a film that's this physically beat up.
To the best of my knowledge, LAST WARNING is the only Mr. Moto title in the public domain, so this is the only chance most of us will have to catch the Moto fever. Even though Lorre's Moto is an intelligent character, Moto's usually undercover, disguised behind thick glasses and a sing-song, Good evening, preeze, persona. I doubt the title-holder of the other five movies featuring such a politically incorrect character will be releasing them anytime soon.
Too bad. This one was fun and had a lot going for it, even going so far as to include a couple of underwater scenes with Moto fighting a helmeted diver in the murky depths under a pier. A fun movie.

It is sad this movie is not available. Peter Lorre made a series of Mr. Moto films, and this is the only one I have seen in any format. I've owned a VHS copy for years, and have hoped someone would wake up, smell the coffee, and put out the Mr. Moto collection. I mean, Peter Lorre is the star.
Mr. Moto's Last Warning is an excellent thriller containing a great script and superb acting. Doesn't anyone in the industry think that his films should be saved? Well, I hope someday, someone, will put them out. Im sure they will sell. If you get a copy of this one, it is a great film, but you shouldnt be suprised by that. Im amazed no one else seems to care. Well, here is hoping.
P.S. Jan. 2009 - I was glad to see the Mr. Moto collection was put out in DVD format a couple of years ago. I bought both sets and have greatly enjoyed them. Thanks to whoever went to the trouble to save these films.

I like this movie! I say it with a little bit of guilt & slight shame, because as an Asian-american, I shouldn't! First, for those who are thinking of getting this film, I should explain the plot!

Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre), member of the International Police Force, is sent to the Middle East to foil a plot by saboteurs led by Ricardo Cortez (as a ventriloquist/mercenary) & George Sanders ("Mister Freeze" from the 1960's "Batman" tv show!) to blow up British ships on maneuvers. The bad guys are working for an un-named foreign power who want to strain relations between France & Britain, so that their alliance will crumble, clearing the way for the European aggressors (Germany & Italy?) to commence their territorial expansions. With the help of a double, a British agent (John Carradine), various disguises, his detective skills, & his martial-arts ability (jiu-jitsu!), Mr. Moto foils the plot!

This movie, made before America's entry into World War Two, hints at Nazi Germany's growing aggression in Europe. That's one of the things that's...strange...about this movie. The protagonist, "Kentaro Moto", is supposed to be a Japanese national. The fact that Mr. Moto is working with the British (to secure their relations with France), in essence, would have been contrary to his own country's interests, since Japan in the 1930's was itself an expensionist nation (making incursions into China) & was negotiating an alliance with Germany, an alliance that was realized in September of 1940, with Japan's joining with Germany & Italy to form the 3-party "Axis Alliance." Japan went to war with Britain (after this movie was made), so Mr. Moto shouldn't have been on this particular mission. (Charlie Chan or Mr. Wong, on the other hand, being Chinese nationals, would have worked for Britian.)

Another aspect that makes this movie strange to watch (for today's audiences) is the fact that Peter Lorre's "Mr. Moto" character is an example of "a white actor in Yellow-face." That's the reason why I shouldn't like this movie. By today's standards, the character is "racist" (or at least, politically incorrect!) However, I think the writers were aware of this peculiarity, because Mr. Moto, in order to throw off suspicion to himself, takes on the identity of an "oriental" antiques dealer, speaking in forced "ah-sos" & "thank you very much, please" types of phrasing. Later, however, when talking to his collegues, he speaks in perfect, intelligible English! (Robert Coote's character even says, "I say! You're talking different!")

Alright, I said I shouldn't like this movie, but I also confessed that I do! Peter Lorre does a good job of playing Mr. Moto with a very subtle, but clear, satirical sarcasm. I really get the feeling that he was aware of the stereo-typical nature of the role. He actually seems to be satirizing (Hollywood's) racial attitudes with his portrayal. (It's kind of hard to explain with words. You need to see it!) The martial-arts ("Very simple, judo, often mispronounced by foreigners as jiu-jitsu!") is faked, but Peter Lorre does a good job of faking it! The pacing for the film, being an espionage thriller, is decent (for the 1930's), & Robert Coote provides excellent comic relief as a bumbling English tourist.

The film-makers seem aware of the political peculiarties of the story by hinting at, but not naming, the Germans. At the end, the other characters ask Mr. Moto which country was behind the plot. Before Mr. Moto can answer, his collegue states, "You better not answer that, Mr. Moto. Otherwise, you'll be out of a job." Is this collegue implying that Mr. Moto, being a national of Japan, (a country who's interests are basically the same as Germany's), could be punished by the Japanese government for exposing the treachery of the Germans, potential allies of Japan?

Oh well, I would have rated this movie 3 & 1/2 stars, but that's not an option. The reasons why I didn't rate it 5 stars are as follows:

1. Lack of suspensful incidental music for key scenes. (Typical of the 1930's.)

2. I wanted more of Viginia Field's character! She's Ricardo Cortez's girlfriend in the film. The story touches upon her feelings of betrayal upon finding out what Cortez plans to do. It was real interesting & I think the makers of this film should have expanded upon that relationship even more.

3. Needs more close-up reaction shots for dramatic effect! (Typical of most movies in the 1930's.)

4. James Cagney should have given Peter Lorre judo lessons! (The fight scenes are exciting, but using real martial-arts techniques would make them even better!)

It's worth buying, so check it out!

By the way, the actor playing Mr. Moto's double is a Japanese actor who I've seen in both "The Delicate Delinquent" (Jerry Lewis' first solo effort) & "You Only Live Twice" (the 1967 James Bond thriller.) He's not credited in this movie (Hollywood racism in the 30's!) Who is he?

This is a good entry in the Mr. Moto canon, which comprises 8 films made between 1937-39. It is not my favorite, however--Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation, with excellent performances by Lionel Atwill and Joseph Schildkraut, is the best of those I've seen. However, they have been very hard to find, and I've only seen about half of them. Lorre is wonderful as the mysterious Mr. Moto, and the films are great fun and skilfully made, with a host of terrific character actors--in addition to Atwill and Schildkraut, Leon Ames, Jean Hersholt, Keye Luke, John Carradine, George Sanders, Virginia Field, Ricardo Cortez, Maxie Rosenbloom, and many others all turn in outstanding period performances. It is a real shame that more are not being made available--I know that art houses sometimes stage special showings, and I keep hoping that someone will release all eight on DVD. PLEASE!

In MR. MOTO'S LAST WARNING the Japanese agent is in Egypt dueling with an enemy spy who is trying to destroy the French fleet while it travels through the Suez Canal. The enemy plan calls for responsibility for the incident to be assigned to the British.

Peter Lorre has the starring role of Mr. Moto for the sixth time. A strong supporting cast includes Ricardo Cortez, John Carradine, Teru Shimada, Virginia Field and George Sanders. The movie also goes by the title of MR. MOTO IN EGYPT.

The name of the uncredited Asian actor who plays the fake Mr. Moto is Teru Shimada.

By now the Mr. Moto series was becoming no more than the Saturday matinee filler Peter Lorre knew it would be. The greatest interest in Mr. Moto's Last Warning lies in keeping track of how many deaths Mr. Moto will cause in the pursuit of his kind of justice. By my count it was a draw with the bad guys, with one ringer thrown in. Please note that elements of the plot are discussed.

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. A master criminal and his gang, taking orders from this nameless country, will set mines at the entrance of the Canal. When the French fleet starts to pass though...kablooie! False evidence will point to Britain. However, Kentaro Moto of the International Police has been working to expose this plot for weeks. He knows the master criminal is in fact Fabian the Great (Ricardo Cortez), a smooth, quick-thinking and ruthless individual posing as a ventriloquist at a seedy Egyptian music hall. It would be hard to decide which is worse, Fabian's utter lack of scruple or George Sanders' awful German accent. (He plays Eric Novel, who tends to show up too often at places he shouldn't be.) 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, played to perfection by Robert Coote, to help, Moto prevails and world peace is insured for a few more weeks. (The movie was made in 1939)

Peter Lorre continues to do a fine job as Kentaro Moto. He gives Moto an interesting blend of innocence, shrewdness and ruthlessness. Ricardo Cortez, a great success as a leading man in the silent movies, was by now doing movies like this. He may be a stolid actor, but he still is interesting enough to carry the role without breaking a sweat. Unfortunately, George Sanders is just about as bad as his accent. My heart, however, was captured by Virginia Field as Connie, proprietor of Connie's Place, a seedy dive. Connie loves Fabian too much but at least she can tell the difference between right (smuggling) and wrong (blowing up the French fleet). Field plays Connie as a kind of dime-store version of Joan Blondell...blond, plump, good-hearted and luscious.

For those who also like to keep score, here's what I came up with. Caused by the bad guys: Death by knifing; death by diving bell. Caused by Kentaro Moto: Death by judo chop; death by too much Suez water. Caused by the ringer: Death by bullet into the chest.

Mr. Moto's Last Warning is one of the four movies in The Mr. Moto Collection - Volume Two releaased by Twentieth Century Fox. It looks and sounds fine. Other editions are available because the movie fell into the public domain. They all are supposed to have poor DVD transfers. If you're a Moto person, I'd advise just buying the collection.

Very enjoyable mystery with Peter Lorre in a Charlie Chan like role. However, this film has been availale by itself for ages on both DVD and VHS. You are better off buying the 2 Fox box sets, because it's the only way to get all 8 (including this one) films that Lorre did with the character, not to mention as a bonus on set 2, a rare chance to see what Henry Silva did with it 30 years later.:-)

As originally created by author John P. Marquand, Moto was an icy and distinctly lethal Japanese agent; 20th Century Fox, which had earlier created the extremely popular Charlie Chan series, toned down his more deadly qualities, cast German actor Peter Lorre in the role, and between 1937 and 1939 made eight films featuring the character. Although they did not really challenge the Chan films, they were popular in their own right, and it was not until American sentiment began to turn against the Japanese that 20th Century Fox dropped the character.

Made in 1939, MR. MOTO'S LAST WARNING is the sixth film in the series, and it finds Moto (Lorre) working to foil an attempt to set the English and French against each other by blowing up the French fleet as it enters an English-controlled canal in the middle east. Although the film has a slow start, it is graced with a gifted cast that includes George Sanders, John Carradine, and Ricardo Cortez, and it soon comes up a snappy pace and proves unexpectedly watchable.

Over the years the Chan films have drawn considerable condemnation from Chinese Americans due to the fact that Chan was never played by an Asian actor; somewhat curiously, the Moto films have escaped the same degree of politically-correct derrision. This is all the more odd because Lorre is even less of Japanse than Oland and Toler were Chinese. Even so, Lorre is always interesting to watch, and his unexpected physicality (Moto is a master of judo) drives the film remarkably well.

MR. MOTO'S LAST WARNING is the only film in the series presently in public domain, a circumstance that seems more accidental than intentional. The Alpha release is very much in line with that: the picture is shaky, particularly in the opening segments, and the sound is quite weak. Fans of the series would do better to go with the series editions now in release through 20th Century Fox--but no matter which copy you lay hands on, you'll find the film an enjoyable bit of flyweight fun. Recommended to fans of 1930s mysteries, thrillers, and espionage movies.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Dedicated to the negative voter, who can hardly wait for me to put another review so he can give it an unhelpful vote.

I bought the DVD because I like the who-done-its from the 30's and I like Peter Lorre. I'll have to tell you I was very skeptical of Lorre made up to be a Japanese detective. Surprisingly he pulled it off quite well. There was quite of bit of humor for a murder-mystery. The film quality was pretty good too for such an old movie.