Unlike most B-mysteries of the 1930s and 40s, this one stands out because the lead actually kills. Granted, the killings were all justified, but you never would have seen Charlie Chan or Sherlock Holmes kill three men in a single film--let alone in all their films! Moto is simply a one-man killing machine as he works to uncover the mystery behind a group of desperate criminals who will stop at nothing to steal seven scrolls--which, together, will lead them to the treasure of Genghis Khan. While this is definitely true of the first two Moto films, later they softened his image and made him more like Charlie Chan--and as a result the later films were a bit more bland.
In addition to Moto being such a dangerous man, I also appreciated the film because for a long time it was unclear who Moto was working for--the police, insurance companies or just himself. This lack of clarity and rather amoral tone of the film made it a unique viewing experience! Watch this one and see one of the better examples of the genre.
The only negative was having a German guy playing Moto--I'm sure many Asian-Americans would have given their souls to play this part!
In addition to Moto being such a dangerous man, I also appreciated the film because for a long time it was unclear who Moto was working for--the police, insurance companies or just himself. This lack of clarity and rather amoral tone of the film made it a unique viewing experience! Watch this one and see one of the better examples of the genre.
The only negative was having a German guy playing Moto--I'm sure many Asian-Americans would have given their souls to play this part!