User Reviews

This is an 18-minute DVD extra included on the disk with MR. MOTO TAKES A CHANCE. It's a very helpful short film to watch because it talks about the real life Peter Lorre (the star of the films) and gives context to the films. The fact that Lorre hated the films and felt they stifled his career as well as his addiction to morphine are fascinating to think about as you watch these Moto films.

Most of the film is simply having Stephen Youngkin talk to the camera about the life of this actor. In addition, film clips and stills were used to help illustrate the story. While this worked, the film also felt pretty strange because no other interviews were used--no friends, associates or other film experts appeared--just Youngkin. A bit more would have been appreciated. But, since it's a DVD extra, I guess you can't have everything.

Overall, decent for Moto fans or anyone wanting background information on Lorre but nothing earth-shaking or transcendent.

A very brief look at the life of Peter Lorre.

This short featurette highlights the fact that Lorre hated the Mr. Moto films and felt they stifled his career; also covered is his addiction to morphine. Such things are fascinating to think about as you watch the Moto films.

Unfortunately, this has only one interview, which makes it relatively one-sided, even if extremely informed. No one knows more about Lorre than his biographer, but surely others must have something to add?

It is also a bit disappointing that the retrospective touches on "M", but overlooks "Mad Love" entirely. Of course, fitting an entire life into fifteen minutes is bound to have some parts cut out.

"What goes on behind that comic mask? He looks so sad," comments author Stephen Youngkin, who narrates this biography of th diminutive famous actor.

Lorre started his career with the German film"M," which catapulted him to international fame and he ended his career in "Muscle Beach Party" in a cameo role as "Mr. Strangedour."

"How can I reconcile this great actor starting so high and falling so low," asks Youngkin in this documentary. It led Youngkin to do extensive research on this man, and then winding up writing his biography.

Youngkin then gives us the history of Peter Lorre, where he came from, how he got started in acting as a kid, his family's concerns about him being an actor, finding himself alone in Vienna but developing his talent which included comedy. We hear about his down-and-out periods, both in Germany, England and in Hollywood, and the story of how he became "Mr. Moto." We also learn of his drug addiction to morphine, his many other physical problems, his three marriages and the amazing fact that many women saw him as very sexy!

This look back at Lorre was a bonus feature on the DVD, "Mr. Moto Takes A Chance." It was an interesting look at a very interesting human being.