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Post by Ish Kabbible on Nov 24, 2014 18:24:34 GMT -5
I'm ready once again to jump into the breach and plow through some old-timey movie series. Way way back (the next to last page of the community discussion board) I tackled the 50-odd films comprising The Charlie Chan series, viewing and critiquing a movie per day. No way in hell will I subject myself to that frenetic pace-unless paid-so this will be done on a more leisurely schedule. But I'm ready to delve once again into the vaults of Hollywood and view for my first time some classic series
Besides Chan, I've done a few in the early days of the Classic Film Thread. These would include The Pink Panther Series, The Dr. Mabuse Series, The Lone Wolf And Cub aka Shogun Assassin Series and The Inner Sanctum Mystery Movies.
Since I have a few series ready for review, I thought a seperate thread would be appropriate to keep them all together. These movie series will be viewed in their order of theatrical release. And unless noted otherwise it will all be first-time viewing for me so bare with me if i jump on some hasty presumptions and retract them later
Will be back soon with the first film and the first series
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 18:26:00 GMT -5
I'm ready once again to jump into the breach and plow through some old-timey movie series. Way way back (the next to last page of the community discussion board) I tackled the 50-odd films comprising The Charlie Chan series, viewing and critiquing a movie per day. No way in hell will I subject myself to that frenetic pace-unless paid-so this will be done on a more leisurely schedule. But I'm ready to delve once again into the vaults of Hollywood and view for my first time some classic series Besides Chan, I've done a few in the early days of the Classic Film Thread. These would include The Pink Panther Series, The Dr. Mabuse Series, The Lone Wolf And Cub aka Shogun Assassin Series and The Inner Sanctum Mystery Movies.
Since I have a few series ready for review, I thought a seperate thread would be appropriate to keep them all together. These movie series will be viewed in their order of theatrical release. And unless noted otherwise it will all be first-time viewing for me so bare with me if i jump on some hasty presumptions and retract them later Will be back soon with the first film and the first series I'd prefer we both kept our clothes on if you don't mind, even if we are talking movies....  -M |
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Nov 24, 2014 18:34:53 GMT -5
I'm ready once again to jump into the breach and plow through some old-timey movie series. Way way back (the next to last page of the community discussion board) I tackled the 50-odd films comprising The Charlie Chan series, viewing and critiquing a movie per day. No way in hell will I subject myself to that frenetic pace-unless paid-so this will be done on a more leisurely schedule. But I'm ready to delve once again into the vaults of Hollywood and view for my first time some classic series Besides Chan, I've done a few in the early days of the Classic Film Thread. These would include The Pink Panther Series, The Dr. Mabuse Series, The Lone Wolf And Cub aka Shogun Assassin Series and The Inner Sanctum Mystery Movies.
Since I have a few series ready for review, I thought a seperate thread would be appropriate to keep them all together. These movie series will be viewed in their order of theatrical release. And unless noted otherwise it will all be first-time viewing for me so bare with me if i jump on some hasty presumptions and retract them later Will be back soon with the first film and the first series I'd prefer we both kept our clothes on if you don't mind, even if we are talking movies.... -M I was going to start off with the Debbie Does ..... series but mrp uncovered my clue . Instead I'll stick with something a bit more traditional |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 24, 2014 18:54:20 GMT -5
Looking forward to whatever you have in mind!
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Post by Hoosier X on Nov 24, 2014 19:15:08 GMT -5
Movie series are so much fun. I watched two movies in "The Whistler" series last week and had a grand time. One of them had Joan Woodbury pop up unexpectedly. (She wasn't in the opening credits.)
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Nov 24, 2014 20:17:59 GMT -5
Mr. Moto
Talk about a movie series that was snake bit from the start. Debuting just in time to coincide with real-world events concerning Japan's invasion of China and its characterization of being an aggressive, militaristic nation, this 8 movie series starred rising film actor Peter Lorre . This series is also tied in with the uber-popular Charlie Chan series- in fact its entire existence was to cash in on Chan's financial success The death of Charlie Chan's creator/writer Erle Biggers found the Saturday Evening Post, which had been serializing Erle's novels, to look for a similar property. It found it with John P Marquand and commissioned him to begin writing mystery stories starring a Japanese secret agent beginning in 1935. The Moto novels were best-sellers and a movie series quickly got underway in 1937. The Fox Studios, home of the cash-cow Chan series, were eager to repeat their success with Moto and cast Peter Lorre in the title role. Lorre had recently arrived in America after a distinguished career in German cinema and had already appeared in some American films, notably of the horror genre. Following his Moto run, Peter would move on to Warner Brothers and become one of the most recognized supporting actors in Hollywood Besides the 8 Moto films, there were 6 novels by Marquand. Moto also starred in 23 radio shows in 1951, a 1965 film revival starring Henry Silva (Mr. Moto Returns) and a 2003 comic book series from Moonstone Publishing. Peter Lorre also returned to the role for several TV skits in the 1950s for Texaco Star Theatre and other variety shows There are big differences between the Chan and Moto series. Chan was more cerebral. The solving of the murder mystery always central to the plot. Chan was fat and old, hardly ever doing anything physical.The dialogue was engaging in the Chan films and the interplay between Charlie and his sons was delightful. Moto on the other hand is a man of many physical talents. He is an expert in jiu-jitsu and judo. A master of disguise. Composes Haiku. Knows stage magic and card tricks and ventriloquism. This guy would be the life of any party. And unlike Chan, he works alone Next up-the first Mr. Moto movie-Think Fast Mr. Moto
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 24, 2014 20:49:07 GMT -5
Love me some Peter Lorre!
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Nov 24, 2014 22:12:30 GMT -5
Think Fast Mr. Moto (1937)
Peter Lorre,Virginia Field,Thomas Beck,Sig Ruman,J. Carrol Naish
D-Norman Foster
   Mr. Moto discovers a dead body inside a curio shop in San Francisco. The shop is tied in with drug smuggling originating from Shanghai. Moto boards a ship bound for that Chinese city to smash the crime ring. He recognizes his steward as the murderer , and catches him trying to steal an important letter from the stateroom of another passenger, Robert Hitchings. Hitchings, son of the owner of the shipping line, falls in love with Gloria, who refuses to tell him anything about her life and disappears when they arrive in Shanghai. In Shanghai, Mr. Moto uncovers the secret which links the murder in San Francisco, the mysterious letter, and Gloria. Yes, needlessly convoluted and you have no idea who Mr. Moto is until the very end of the film. However there are some effective action scenes and Moto loves to display his judo skills. In fact, Moto can be quite brutal as he throws the steward off the ship into the churning ocean. We learn that Moto attended Stamford College and set a pole vaulting record back in 1921.Moto is the owner of an import company who's business is being hurt by the smuggling ring and who dabbles in detective work on the side.He also knows a concoction to remedy hangovers (tabasco sauce, lemon juice,salt,egg,gin,sugar and absinthe). Virginia Field is easy on the eyes. Thomas Beck plays an empty-headed American playboy No blatant racism in evidence but the movie does reinforce Asian stereotypes such as Moto being quiet, mannered and bespeckled . The film runs close to 70 minutes at a brisk pace and builds up a nice head of steam for the final 20 minutes within a Shanghai casino. Peter Lorre was only 33 years old at the time of filming and handles the physical play well. The DVD also includes a 15 minute interview with Lorre's stunt double
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Post by Hoosier X on Nov 24, 2014 22:24:17 GMT -5
I love the Moto films! I have one of the box sets. One of those movies - Mr. Moto Takes a Chance - is so great, I watch it over and over. (Well, not lately. But I bet I watched it ten times the first five years I had it. Rochelle Hudson rocks that movie!)
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Nov 29, 2014 21:33:29 GMT -5
Thank You Mr. Moto (1937)
Peter Lorre,Pauline Frederick,Thomas Beck,Sig Ruman,John Carradine,Sydney Blackmer
D-Norman Foster    Seven Chinese painted scrolls, when assembled together, will reveal the location of the Treasure Of Genghis Khan which is buried somewhere in the Gobi Desert. Mr. Moto has one scroll and the others belong to a Prince of China and his mother. Ruthless European treasure-hunters will stop at nothing to gather these scrolls. This is a pretty good entry of the Moto series. Moto is in top form, again displaying his mastery in disguise, his command of several languages and his athletic prowess with judo. Lots of action here, especially the second half of this 67 minute B-movie. Plenty of gunplay and a nice car chase ending with a dive into a river. Moto now has a cat that accompanies him on his adventures. He also identifies himself as an investigator of an organization of importers and dabbler of sleuthing. Ah so. Ruman and Blackmer appear for the 2nd time as the heavies, Thomas Beck also returns as an adventuring American playboy who gives Moto a helping hand. Moto fans consider this the best episode of the series. It is a fine one
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Dec 1, 2014 18:50:35 GMT -5
Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938)
Peter Lorre,Keye Luke,Lynn Bari,Harold Huber,Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom,Jack Hamilton,George E Stone,Ward Bond,Lon Chaney Jr
D-James Tinling
 When the #1 heavyweight contender is mysteriously poisoned during a bout, Moto knows that identifying the gambler who placed large bets against him is the key to solving the murder. Originally meant to be a Charlie Chan film. Warner Oland was suffering from alcoholism and his wife sueing for divorce when he disappeared from the film production after just a few days of shooting. When it became apparent that Oland would be gone for an extended period of time, 20th Century Fox changed the script from Chan to Moto and kept as many scenes as possible. You even get Moto exclaiming those euphorisms that Chan is famous for.("One must pick up rock to expose a snake").Chan's #1 son Lee Chan (Keye Luke) teams with Mr Moto to crack this murder case ("Pop sends his regards,Mr. Moto) This very much feels like a Chan film.It opens with Moto conducting a class on detective work.There is less physical action and more sleuthing and deduction. An excellent cast with Chan veteran actors like Harold Huber and Lynn Bari. An early,non-speaking appearence from Lon Chaney Jr. Pretty decent boxing scenes as well A recommended Moto entry for Chan fans as well
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Post by Hoosier X on Dec 1, 2014 19:24:00 GMT -5
I've seen five or six of the Moto films but I've never seen Mr. Moto's Gamble. It's interesting that they considered Moto and Chan to be basically interchangeable. They could have got Boris Karloff and made another Mr. Wong movie! (Not a bad idea at that! Another chance to see Marjorie Reynolds as reporter Bobbie Logan!)
I'll have to look around for this just to see Keye Luke in a Mr. Moto film.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Dec 3, 2014 11:53:22 GMT -5
Mr. Moto Takes A Chance (1938)
Peter Lorre,Rochelle Hudson,Robert Kent,J Edward Bromberg,Chick Chandler,George Rivas
D-Norman Foster
In the jungle near Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Mr. Moto poses as an ineffectual archaeologist .Beautiful aviatrix Victoria Mason teams up with Mr. Moto . Add to this a 2-man American film crew. All are here to foil a murderous village high priest who is trying to overthrow the ruling Rajah Ali who is also plotting against the French colonial government Nothing shows the cheapness of a Hollywood production than a phony jungle adventure. This Moto adventure is quite a letdown after the previous entries. Rochelle Hudson as the female pilot is a terrible actress. The attempt at humour by the film crew is flat. The white cast portraying the Cambodian people are whats laughable.The one highlight of this episode is Moto disguised as an ancient mystical holy man. The makeup used reminds me of the creepyness found in Karloff's Mummy film A political incorrect potboiler with a bad cast and Moto protecting the French empire against the will of the native people The DVD comes with a nice 15 minute doc on the life of Peter Lorre
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Post by Hoosier X on Dec 3, 2014 12:24:41 GMT -5
Mr. Moto Takes A Chance (1938)
Peter Lorre,Rochelle Hudson,Robert Kent,J Edward Bromberg,Chick Chandler,George Rivas
D-Norman Foster
In the jungle near Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Mr. Moto poses as an ineffectual archaeologist .Beautiful aviatrix Victoria Mason teams up with Mr. Moto . Add to this a 2-man American film crew. All are here to foil a murderous village high priest who is trying to overthrow the ruling Rajah Ali who is also plotting against the French colonial government Nothing shows the cheapness of a Hollywood production than a phony jungle adventure. This Moto adventure is quite a letdown after the previous entries. Rochelle Hudson as the female pilot is a terrible actress. The attempt at humour by the film crew is flat. The white cast portraying the Cambodian people are whats laughable.The one highlight of this episode is Moto disguised as an ancient mystical holy man. The makeup used reminds me of the creepyness found in Karloff's Mummy film A political incorrect potboiler with a bad cast and Moto protecting the French empire against the will of the native people When you put it that way ...
This is my favorite Moto movie. I find it fun and exciting and HILARIOUS! Rochelle Hudson is great! (Though you might be right that she's not such a great actress in this. She knew exactly what kind of movie she was in! Rochelle Hudson, by the way, was in Rebel without Cause, as Natalie Wood's mother. Love me some Rochelle Hudson! I recommend The Savage Girl. And she was also the voice of Bosko's girlfriend in the Bosko cartoons.)
I suspect Hudson is supposed to be Amelia Earhart.
They don't call it Cambodia, it's next to Cambodia, I think it's called Ming Toy.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Dec 4, 2014 12:46:11 GMT -5
Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938)
Peter Lorre,Mary MaGuire,Henry Wilcoxin,Harold Huber,Leon Ames,Eric Rhodes
D-Norman Foster
 Mr. Moto has himself imprisoned on Devil's Island so he can help his cellmate (Ames) escape and thereby infiltrate the League of Assassins back in London. Holy smokes,what mr Moto won't do to smash a crime ring. He goes to Devil's Island as a prisoner to befriend an inmate, escapes with him thru the swamps and muck dodging bullets and leopards (?), rowing a boat to another island and becomes the man-servant of the escapee all to spy upon this gang of killers. Mr Moto also assumes a disguise as a German man during this film. Lets see-Peter Lorre is a German actor playing a Japanese detective who's disguised as a German. Good to see old Chan fav Harold Huber in this film, this time playing a villian. As always theres some good judo action by Mr Moto. l love his flying leaps. And a big barroom brawl too. A decent Moto outing-very British eh wot?
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