Mr. Wong, Detective (1938) A brilliant detective unravels a deadly mystery involving poison gas, corporate betrayal, and international intrigue. Director: William Nigh Screenplay by: Houston Branch Based on: James Lee Wong series in *Collier's Magazine* by Hugh Wiley Produced by: William T. Lackey Starring: Boris Karloff as Mr. James Lee Wong Grant Withers as Captain Sam Street Maxine Jennings as Myra Ross Evelyn Brent as Olga George Lloyd as Devlin Lucien Prival as Anton Mohl John St. Polis as Carl Roemer William Gould as Theodore Meisle Hooper Atchley as Christian Wilk John Hamilton as Simon Dayton Wilbur Mack as Russell Lee Tong Foo as Tchin Lynton Brent as Tommy Grace Wood as Mrs. Roemer Production Company: Monogram Pictures Distributed by: Monogram Pictures Release Date: October 5, 1938 Runtime: Approximately 69 minutes Country: United States Language: English Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller ------------------------------------------------------------ Synopsis: - Simon Dayton, a wealthy businessman, fears for his life and seeks the help of renowned detective Mr. Wong. - Before Wong can meet with Dayton, the businessman is found dead in his locked office, seemingly without a mark on him. - The police suspect Carl Roemer, a scientist who had accused Dayton of stealing his chemical formula. - Wong, unconvinced by the obvious suspect, investigates further and discovers traces of a shattered glass sphere containing poison gas. - As Wong delves deeper, he uncovers a web of deception involving Dayton’s business partners, foreign agents, and a deadly chemical smuggling operation. - Using his keen intellect and methodical approach, Wong pieces together the mystery, leading to a dramatic revelation. ------------------------------------------------------------ Key Themes & Highlights: - Locked-Room Mystery: The film presents a classic whodunit scenario, where a murder occurs in a sealed room with no apparent means of entry or escape. - International Espionage: The plot involves foreign agents attempting to smuggle poison gas, adding layers of intrigue and political tension. - Boris Karloff’s Unique Role: Known for his horror performances, Karloff takes on a rare detective role, showcasing his versatility as an actor. - Noir-Style Suspense: The film’s shadowy cinematography and tense atmosphere reflect the growing influence of film noir in the late 1930s. - Methodical Investigation: Wong’s approach to solving the crime is meticulous, relying on logic, forensic clues, and psychological insight. ------------------------------------------------------------ Trivia: - First Film in the Mr. Wong Series: This was the first of six films featuring Boris Karloff as Mr. Wong, followed by *The Mystery of Mr. Wong* (1939) and others. - Public Domain Status: The film has entered the public domain, making it widely available for viewing and restoration efforts. - Inspired by Charlie Chan: The Mr. Wong character was created as Monogram Pictures’ answer to the popular Charlie Chan detective films. - Boris Karloff’s Departure: Karloff played Mr. Wong in five films before being replaced by Keye Luke in *Phantom of Chinatown* (1940). - Classic Detective Tropes: The film incorporates elements of traditional detective fiction, including red herrings, secret motives, and unexpected twists. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hashtags: #MrWongDetective #1938Mystery #BorisKarloff #ClassicHollywood #FilmNoirInfluence #PublicDomainFilm #MonogramPictures #LockedRoomMystery #CrimeThriller #GoldenAgeCinema