Thank You, Mr. Moto
Encyclopedia
Thank You, Mr. Moto is the second in a series of eight films starring Peter Lorre
as Mr. Moto
. It was based on the novel of the same name
by the Japanese detective's creator, John P. Marquand
. Mr. Moto battles murderous treasure hunters for a hidden cache belonging to Genghis Khan
.
. A man sneaks into a tent and tries to steal a scroll, but adventurer and soldier of fortune Kentaro Moto (Peter Lorre) is only pretending to be asleep and kills him. When the caravan reaches Peiping
, he is searched by the police. The scroll is found, but Moto grabs it and escapes.
He changes his clothes and accepts an invitation to a party hosted by Colonel Tchernov (Sig Ruman
) in honor of American Eleanor Joyce (Jayne Regan). During the soirée, Moto observes another guest, Chinese Prince Chung (Philip Ahn) leaving his mother to speak privately with Tchernov in another room. Tchernov offers to buy certain family heirloom scrolls from Chung. When Chung refuses to part with them, Tchernov draws a pistol, but is killed (off-screen) by Moto. Joyce stumbles upon the scene and watches in disbelief as Moto calmly stages it to look like a suicide. Moto politely advises her not to say anything to avoid an international incident.
Later, as a favor to his rescuer, Chung grants Moto's request to see the scrolls. Chung informs him that the set of seven scrolls give directions to the lost grave of Genghis Khan. The Chungs are determined to see that it and its fabulous treasures are left undisturbed. However, one of the scrolls had been lent for an exhibition of artwork and was stolen.
A dealer in antiquities
, Periera (John Carradine
), shows Joyce some of his wares. She is interested in a (fake) scroll, but the price is far too high. While shopping the next day with smitten diplomat Tom Nelson (Thomas Beck
), they observe Moto entering Periera's shop. Moto gets Periera to confess he had stolen the authentic scroll, but before he can obtain any more information, Periera is shot and killed by a gunman in a car which speeds away.
Moto returns to his apartment, only to find it ransacked. Sensing that the would-be thief has not left, Moto leaves his gun lying around. Schneider (Wilhelm von Brincken) holds him at gunpoint and forces Moto to give him the scroll. When Moto tries to flee, Schneider shoots him several times with Moto's gun. However, the gun was filled with harmless blanks
; Moto trails Schneider back to Madame Tchernov (Nedda Harrigan). When they leave to rendezvous with the rest of their gang, Moto starts to follow, but is knocked out by the butler, Ivan (John Bleifer), another one of the crooks. Joyce, who had been comforting the widow, is taken as a hostage.
The arch-villain (and Madame Tchernov's lover), Herr Koerger (Sidney Blackmer
), forces Prince Chung to reveal where the scrolls are kept by striking his mother. As they are leaving, Madame Chung attacks Koerger with a knife and is killed. Meanwhile, Nelson finds and revives Moto. They rush to the Chungs, but arrive too late. The dishonored prince commits suicide after they untie him; Moto comforts him before he dies by promising to avenge the Chung family and safeguard the tomb.
The two men track the criminals to a junk
. After another attempt to kill him, Moto informs Koerger that the scroll he gave Schneider is a fake. He offers to split Genghis Khan's treasure. Then he sows dissent by telling Madame Tchernov that Koerger is dumping her for Joyce, which the quick-thinking American "confirms". This provides enough of a distraction for Moto to kill Koerger. Afterwards, to the dismay of Joyce and Nelson, Mr. Moto burns the scrolls to fulfill his promise to Chung.
Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...
as Mr. Moto
Mr. Moto
Mr. Moto is a fictional Japanese secret agent created by the American author John P. Marquand. He appeared in six novels by Marquand published between 1935 and 1957. Marquand initially created the character for the Saturday Evening Post, which was seeking stories with an Asian hero after the death...
. It was based on the novel of the same name
Thank You, Mr. Moto (novel)
Thank You, Mr. Moto, was originally published in serial form in the Saturday Evening Post from February 8 to March 14, 1936, this novel was first published in book form in 1936. It is the second of six Mr. Moto novels and can also be found in the omnibus Mr...
by the Japanese detective's creator, John P. Marquand
John P. Marquand
John Phillips Marquand was a American writer. Originally best known for his Mr. Moto spy stories, he achieved popular success and critical respect for his satirical novels, winning a Pulitzer Prize for The Late George Apley in 1938...
. Mr. Moto battles murderous treasure hunters for a hidden cache belonging to Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan , born Temujin and occasionally known by his temple name Taizu , was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death....
.
Plot
A caravan settles down for the night in the Gobi DesertGobi Desert
The Gobi is a large desert region in Asia. It covers parts of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia. The desert basins of the Gobi are bounded by the Altai Mountains and the grasslands and steppes of Mongolia on the north, by the Hexi Corridor and Tibetan Plateau to the...
. A man sneaks into a tent and tries to steal a scroll, but adventurer and soldier of fortune Kentaro Moto (Peter Lorre) is only pretending to be asleep and kills him. When the caravan reaches Peiping
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, he is searched by the police. The scroll is found, but Moto grabs it and escapes.
He changes his clothes and accepts an invitation to a party hosted by Colonel Tchernov (Sig Ruman
Sig Ruman
Sig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his comic portrayals of pompous villains.-Life and career:...
) in honor of American Eleanor Joyce (Jayne Regan). During the soirée, Moto observes another guest, Chinese Prince Chung (Philip Ahn) leaving his mother to speak privately with Tchernov in another room. Tchernov offers to buy certain family heirloom scrolls from Chung. When Chung refuses to part with them, Tchernov draws a pistol, but is killed (off-screen) by Moto. Joyce stumbles upon the scene and watches in disbelief as Moto calmly stages it to look like a suicide. Moto politely advises her not to say anything to avoid an international incident.
Later, as a favor to his rescuer, Chung grants Moto's request to see the scrolls. Chung informs him that the set of seven scrolls give directions to the lost grave of Genghis Khan. The Chungs are determined to see that it and its fabulous treasures are left undisturbed. However, one of the scrolls had been lent for an exhibition of artwork and was stolen.
A dealer in antiquities
Antiquities
Antiquities, nearly always used in the plural in this sense, is a term for objects from Antiquity, especially the civilizations of the Mediterranean: the Classical antiquity of Greece and Rome, Ancient Egypt and the other Ancient Near Eastern cultures...
, Periera (John Carradine
John Carradine
John Carradine was an American actor, best known for his roles in horror films and Westerns as well as Shakespearean theater. A member of Cecil B DeMille's stock company and later John Ford's company, he was one of the most prolific character actors in Hollywood history...
), shows Joyce some of his wares. She is interested in a (fake) scroll, but the price is far too high. While shopping the next day with smitten diplomat Tom Nelson (Thomas Beck
Thomas Beck (actor)
Thomas Beck was an American actor during the mid to late 1930s.Born in New York City, Beck entered college with the intention of becoming a doctor but abandoned that for engineering. His first professional work was in a stock company and he later played on Broadway. His work interested film...
), they observe Moto entering Periera's shop. Moto gets Periera to confess he had stolen the authentic scroll, but before he can obtain any more information, Periera is shot and killed by a gunman in a car which speeds away.
Moto returns to his apartment, only to find it ransacked. Sensing that the would-be thief has not left, Moto leaves his gun lying around. Schneider (Wilhelm von Brincken) holds him at gunpoint and forces Moto to give him the scroll. When Moto tries to flee, Schneider shoots him several times with Moto's gun. However, the gun was filled with harmless blanks
Blank (cartridge)
A blank is a type of cartridge for a firearm that contains gunpowder but no bullet or shot. When fired, the blank makes a flash and an explosive sound . Blanks are often used for simulation , training, and for signaling...
; Moto trails Schneider back to Madame Tchernov (Nedda Harrigan). When they leave to rendezvous with the rest of their gang, Moto starts to follow, but is knocked out by the butler, Ivan (John Bleifer), another one of the crooks. Joyce, who had been comforting the widow, is taken as a hostage.
The arch-villain (and Madame Tchernov's lover), Herr Koerger (Sidney Blackmer
Sidney Blackmer
Sidney Alderman Blackmer was an American actor.Blackmer was born and raised in Salisbury, North Carolina. He started off in an insurance and financial business but gave up on it. While working as a builder's laborer on a new building, he saw a Pearl White serial being filmed and immediately...
), forces Prince Chung to reveal where the scrolls are kept by striking his mother. As they are leaving, Madame Chung attacks Koerger with a knife and is killed. Meanwhile, Nelson finds and revives Moto. They rush to the Chungs, but arrive too late. The dishonored prince commits suicide after they untie him; Moto comforts him before he dies by promising to avenge the Chung family and safeguard the tomb.
The two men track the criminals to a junk
Junk (ship)
A junk is an ancient Chinese sailing vessel design still in use today. Junks were developed during the Han Dynasty and were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They evolved in the later dynasties, and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages...
. After another attempt to kill him, Moto informs Koerger that the scroll he gave Schneider is a fake. He offers to split Genghis Khan's treasure. Then he sows dissent by telling Madame Tchernov that Koerger is dumping her for Joyce, which the quick-thinking American "confirms". This provides enough of a distraction for Moto to kill Koerger. Afterwards, to the dismay of Joyce and Nelson, Mr. Moto burns the scrolls to fulfill his promise to Chung.
Cast
- Peter LorrePeter LorrePeter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...
as Mr. Kentaro Moto - Thomas BeckThomas Beck (actor)Thomas Beck was an American actor during the mid to late 1930s.Born in New York City, Beck entered college with the intention of becoming a doctor but abandoned that for engineering. His first professional work was in a stock company and he later played on Broadway. His work interested film...
as Tom Nelson - Pauline FrederickPauline FrederickPauline Frederick was a leading Broadway actress who later became known for her motion picture work.-Early years:...
as Madame Chung - Jayne Regan as Eleanor Joyce
- Sidney BlackmerSidney BlackmerSidney Alderman Blackmer was an American actor.Blackmer was born and raised in Salisbury, North Carolina. He started off in an insurance and financial business but gave up on it. While working as a builder's laborer on a new building, he saw a Pearl White serial being filmed and immediately...
as Herr Koerger - Sig RumanSig RumanSig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his comic portrayals of pompous villains.-Life and career:...
as Colonel Tchernov - John CarradineJohn CarradineJohn Carradine was an American actor, best known for his roles in horror films and Westerns as well as Shakespearean theater. A member of Cecil B DeMille's stock company and later John Ford's company, he was one of the most prolific character actors in Hollywood history...
as Periera - Wilhelm von Brincken as Schneider (as William Von Brincken)
- Nedda Harrigan as Madame Tchernov
- Philip Ahn as Prince Chung
- John Bleifer as Ivan