Mr. Wong in Chinatown (1939) [Crime] [Mystery]

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Mr. Wong in Chinatown is a 1939 American mystery film directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff. The story is about a pretty Chinese woman, seeking help from San Francisco detective James Lee Wong, who is killed by a poisoned dart in his front hall, having time only to scrawl the name “Captain J” on a sheet of paper.

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Directed by William Nigh, produced by William T. Lackey, written by Hugh Wiley and Scott Darling, starring Boris Karloff as Mr. James Lee Wong, Marjorie Reynolds as Roberta ‘Bobbie’ Logan (reporter), Grant Withers as Police Capt. Bill Street, Huntley Gordon as Mr. Davidson (bank president), George Lynn as Capt. Guy Jackson (Aviation Corp. president) as Peter George Lynn, William Royle as Capt. Jaime (captain, Maid of the Orient), James Flavin as Police Sgt. Jerry, Lotus Long as Princess Lin Hwa (murder victim), Lee Tung Foo as Willie (Wong’s servant), Bessie Loo as Lilly May (Princess Lin Hwa’s maid), Richard Loo as Tong chief, Ernie Stanton as Burton (Davidson’s butler) and I. Stanford Jolley as Hotel clerk.

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Source: “Mr. Wong in Chinatown” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 5 April 2013. Web. 7 April 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Wong_in_Chinatown.

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24 Replies to “Mr. Wong in Chinatown (1939) [Crime] [Mystery]”

  2. Oh wie schlau dieser M.S. doch ist ! Er kennt Rassen und kann sie benennen. Und ihm sind Rassen interessanter, als ein schöner historischer Film – mit einem Boris Karloff.
    Aber so ist halt die heutige Jugend : blind für was nicht ein Computer-Killer-Game ist.

  4. Thanks for posting this classic old film. The idea is to suspend your dis-belief and just sit back and enjoy! These films were made at a simpler time in the history of cinema. If you try to pick them apart because a Caucasian is playing the role of an Asian, or the Chinese all are speaking in English, than your are missing the point. This is 1939 Hollywood. Just enjoy the old cars and San Francisco "way- back when". It's quaint and funny. Don't take it seriously. Just enjoy!

  5. What a Great Movie, If Only Boris Karloff Had The
    Chance To Play Other Roles Than Just Horror Movies.
    Before Boris Karloff made "Frankenstein" he played
    Gangster Roles at Warner's, I have 2 Major Movies on
    DVD. But was never credited on one Movie.
    He Starred With Edward G. Robinson & James Cagney.

  6. There is a Charlie Chan movie with the same beginning. A Chinese princess comes to see Mr. Chan and is killed in his study. Detectives all have homes that are easily invaded by killers.

  7. Interesting movie but a disappointing one dimensional performance by Karloff. so different from the multi-layered, inspired work of Peter Lorre as Mr. Motto. Even though Lorre came to hate playing Motto, his portrayals have a depth that Karloff does not even come close to. While Karloff was a wizard with make-up, Lorre was a true genius of the actor's art. 

  8. The actions of the police is just weird.  They can arrest people at whim, they have access to all the man-power they seem to enjoy, and the police seem to have plenty of places to investigate.  Yet they also seem to be unable to protect a crime scene, hole a material witness (the reporter).  Amazing.

  9. The plot as written above is written with very bad English composition.  It indicates that Wong was killed in his front hall.  Bad English and composition can be – and often is – misinterpreted by  most.  The next time I hope people will pay more attention in English Classes and see how a simple mistake can lead to confusion.  Wars have been started by such confusions.  It is better to be voiceless than to be unable to say the correct words (old Chinese saying)… 

  10. Ann is correct. I have seen the movie with Charlie Chan and Mantan Moorland. The first time I saw it, I tried to think where I had seen this before. It finally came to me when I happened to watch this movie 4 a second time. I think I like this this one a little better. Probably because I did not care for the guy acting the Chan part.

  17. This script was used again almost identically. subbing Charlie Chan for Mr. Wong, in Roland Winters' first Char film, The Chinese Ring (1947)..

  18. The 1930's was a very boisterous period in time, everyone yelled at each other and slammed doors. They were either deaf and didn't know their own strength or both.

  19. As hind-sight is perfect, set aside the idea of a Caucasian playing an Asian. Remember that orientals and black peoples did not get leading roles, even if the role was for them. This practice persisted into the 1980s… be glad it is presently over. Roles in continuing characters have the ability to destroy careers, think of Bond and those who have played the character.

  20. Nothing better on a late Friday or Saturday night than making a big sandwich….getting your favorite beverage and settling down with a good Mr Wong film…!

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