Numerootno A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Fulke Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

lugonian THANK YOU, MR. MOTO (20th Century-Fox, 1937), directed by Norman Foster, stars Peter Lorre in the title role of Kentaro Moto best described as "venture explorer and soldier of fortune," but actually a Japanese confidential investigator who "wherever he shows up, something always happens." Following its initial entry, THINK FAST, MR. MOTO (1937), this second installment overall, is quite good, in fact, the best in the entire series of eight. After viewing it, it's easy to see why.Based on the story by its creator, John P. Marquand, with original screenplay by Norman Foster and Wallis Cooper, the plot opens in the Great Gobi Desert in China where Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre), disguised as a Mongolian camel driver, immediately suspecting his life to be in danger. His hunch is right after nearly getting hoofed by a horse rider in the windy desert sands, and later finding a mysterious figure entering his tent with intent to kill. In Peiping, Mr. Moto is discovered holding a secret document, leading to a merry chase through the city streets before making it to his hotel room (Number 303) to his manservant, Wing (Chester Gan), and pet cat. After removing his disguise, Moto arrives to a garden party of various guests, including Thomas Nelson (Thomas Beck), a young American; Eleanor Joyce (Jayne Reagan) from California who's preparing to author a book about Chinese art; Colonel Tchernov (Sig Rumann) and his wife (Nedda Harrigan); and guests of honor of Chinese nobility, Madame Chung (Pauline Frederick) and her son, Prince Chung (Philip Ahn). The once quite wealthy Chungs are learned to be the only remaining members of twelve generations to possess six of the seven scrolls to be the key to the hidden treasure of Genghis Khan. Later, Colonel Tchernov, demanding to get the scrolls from Prince Chung at gunpoint, is later found dead. Learning the value of the missing scroll, Mr. Moto assists Prince Chung in helping with its whereabouts, tracing it to the antique shop of Mr. Pereira (John Carradine, in fine characterization). The antique dealer soon becomes a murder victim himself before he could reveal to Mr. Moto how he was able to acquire the actual missing scroll. Moto, now in possession of the seventh scroll, must outwit its ringleader, Eric Koerger (Sidney Blackmer), and his henchmen, to prevent all seven scrolls from getting into the wrong hands of treasure hunters who will stop at nothing, including murder, to obtain it.Naturally, Peter Lorre, the master of many disguises, is the whole show here. Lorre's fine characterization certainly indicates how he was born for the role for which he's letter perfect. The film also finds time for occasional humor, abductions, chases, shootings, fight scenes, as well as surprising elements that classify THANK YOU, MR. MOTO as least typical yet with enough fast-pace entertainment during its 67 minutes to go around. Thomas Beck and Sig Rumann, who previously co-starred in THINK FAST, MR. MOTO, return in different character roles. William Von Brincken (Schneider); John Bleifer (Ivan); and Gino Corrado are others who also appear in the supporting cast.The possibility of those ranking THANK YOU, MR. MOTO as the best in the series might have been the reason for it to have been the first one chosen over the seven other "Mr Moto" films for its themed subject matter of "Asian Images on Film" on Turner Classic Movies, where it premiered June 10, 2008. For anyone who's yet to see this and/or any other of the Lorre/Moto movie episodes, would have a great opportunity to say "Thank You, Mr. Moto" or 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment for that matter, after obtaining all eight in the series (1937-1939) available on DVD. Next installment: MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE (1938) (*** scrolls)

kapelusznik18 ****SPOILERS**** International crime fighter Mister Kentaro "Kenny" Moto, Peter Lorre,is on a mission to see that the Chung family heirloom scrolls-all seven of them- stays in the family and not stolen by a gang of thieves to guide them, by putting the scrolls together, to the tomb and treasures, worth up to 10 million in gold and jewelry, of Mongolian chieftain Genghis Khan. It was first that Moto had to deal with Colonel Tchernov,Sig Ruman, who attempted to get Prince Chung,Philip Ahn, to hand the scrolls over to him, by pulling a gun on the Prince, by offing him with a fatal judo chop-off camera-and making it look like he killed himself.It's then that the late Colonel's wife Madame Tchernov, Nedda Harrigan, had her goons try to get Moto to tell them where the scrolls were or else they'll not only kill him but Prince Chung and his mother Madame Chung, Pauline Frederick, as well. The attempts to murder Mr. Moto by Madame Tchernov's goons fell apart with him outwitting them at every occasion. But it was prince Chung who gave into them when they threatened to murder his mother who in fact was more then willing to die and in fact did then to give up where the scrolls were hidden.***SPOILERS*** It was when Mister Moto turned Madame Tchernov against her lover the real boss of this criminal operation Herr Koerger, Sidney Blackman, by claiming he was going to drop her for pretty socialite Eleanor Joyce ,Jayne Regan, which caused the two now ex-lovers to turn on each other. That give Moto the chance to gun down Koerger and neutralize, by having her arrested, Madame Tchernov when all the dust cleared. In the end Prince Chung committed suicide for dishonoring his ancestors by revealing where the scrolls were hidden but Mister Moto cleared all that up by burning them in preventing any more people getting killed over them as a favor , that he made while he was still alive, to the late Prince Chung!

bensonmum2 Mr. Moto is in a race with a group of ruthless treasure hunters to find the seven ancient scrolls that show the location of Genghis Khan's grave and the riches contained therein.Thank You, Mr. Moto is a fast paced, fun entry in the Moto series. The story is interesting throughout, with Moto pulling an excellent trick on the baddies at the very end - some nice writing. Sets, lighting, and cinematography all look great. It's amazing that Norman Foster's Moto films are among his very early directing credits. He does an excellent job for someone so new to the profession. With a couple of exceptions, the acting is quite good. Peter Lorre is as solid as always. The man always gave top notch performances. Other actors with noting in Thank You, Mr. Moto, include: the always enjoyable Sig Ruman in a much to small a role, Sidney Blackmer, and Philip Ahn. However, there were a couple I didn't find as impressive. Jayne Regan just seemed all wrong for the part of the heroine - too wishy-washy. And in the part of Regan's beau, Thomas Beck is too bland.Overall, a wonderfully entertaining film. I'm rating it a strong 7/10 (and wondering why I didn't go ahead and give it an 8/10).

whpratt1 Enjoyed this 1937 film starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Kentaro Moto who is an Interpole Detective and also an adventurer. Mr. Moto is assigned to track down some very rare Chinese scrolls or Treasure Maps which will lead to the secret treasure of Genghis Khan worth over 10 Million Dollars. There are many women and men looking for these maps and they need all seven of them in order to solve the mystery as to just where the Genghis Khan fortune is hidden. John Carradine gives a great supporting role as a Peniera, Antique Dealer who is a very shady character and tries to sell people phony antiques at very high prices. Peter Lorre tried to play a Chinese Detective, but I am afraid his voice and rolling hard boiled eyes gives him away. This is a very entertaining film and if you like Peter Lorre, you will love this Moto Series. Enjoy.