I give it a 9 out of ten for sentimental reasons and for the appearance of Boris Karloff. It's not really that bad of a mystery, and actually starts out fairly interestingly with the death of a Chinese princess, a plot that would later be used in one of Monogram's CHARLIE CHAN films.
Karloff is the whole show here, and should be the whole show as he does a very good job as the Oriental detective. In fact, he was not a stranger to such roles, playing the diabolical Dr. Fu Manchu in the MASK OF FU MANCHU (1932) and as the over the top Chinese warlord in WEST OF SHANGHAi (1937) for Warner Brothers, which may have lead to this role.
True, it does move slowly at times, but there's that campy old film feel that keeps your attention.
Boris Karloff actually wanted to move onto other projects (signing a contract with Columbia Pictures) and left the series, opening the door for Bela Lugosi, who would go on to do a series of cult horror flicks.
Not to be confused with the MYSTERY OF MR. WONG (1935), a horror film starring Lugosi, which was also produced by Monogram.
Directed by William Nigh, who specialized in low budgeters, more than likely because he got them done quick and as cheap as possible. Nigh was actually one of the famous Keystone Cops before becoming an accomplished director of many silent films. He successfully switched to sound films, but generally found himself handling B films. That said, he cranked out a ton of them and is regarded as a very good director. He passed in 1955.
One of the first films to be put on vhs, now on dvd, also a box set with other Mr. Wong episodes.
Karloff is the whole show here, and should be the whole show as he does a very good job as the Oriental detective. In fact, he was not a stranger to such roles, playing the diabolical Dr. Fu Manchu in the MASK OF FU MANCHU (1932) and as the over the top Chinese warlord in WEST OF SHANGHAi (1937) for Warner Brothers, which may have lead to this role.
True, it does move slowly at times, but there's that campy old film feel that keeps your attention.
Boris Karloff actually wanted to move onto other projects (signing a contract with Columbia Pictures) and left the series, opening the door for Bela Lugosi, who would go on to do a series of cult horror flicks.
Not to be confused with the MYSTERY OF MR. WONG (1935), a horror film starring Lugosi, which was also produced by Monogram.
Directed by William Nigh, who specialized in low budgeters, more than likely because he got them done quick and as cheap as possible. Nigh was actually one of the famous Keystone Cops before becoming an accomplished director of many silent films. He successfully switched to sound films, but generally found himself handling B films. That said, he cranked out a ton of them and is regarded as a very good director. He passed in 1955.
One of the first films to be put on vhs, now on dvd, also a box set with other Mr. Wong episodes.