The Mystery of Mr. Wong (1939)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

William Nigh

Writers:

Hugh Wiley (books)
Scott Darling (original screenplay)

Release Date:

8 March 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery

Tagline:

Mote tingling mystery thrills from the new Chinese detective sensation! (original poster)

Plot:

Detective tries to solve the murder of antiques collector who was in possession of a famous jewel known as "The Eye of the Moon."

Plot Keywords:

China | Mr Wong | Gem | Sapphire | Party

Cast

Boris Karloff	...	James Lee Wong
Grant Withers	...	Police Captain Sam Street
Dorothy Tree	...	Valerie Edwards
Craig Reynolds	...	Peter Harrison
Ivan Lebedeff	...	Michael Strogonoff
Holmes Herbert	...	Prof. Ed Janney
Morgan Wallace	...	Brandon Edwards
Lotus Long	...	Drina, the Maid
Chester Gan	...	Sing, the Butler
Hooper Atchley	...	Carslake
Bruce Wong	...	Asian Man
Jack Kennedy	...	Policeman
Joe Devlin	...	George, the Detective
Lee Tung Foo	...	Willie (as Lee Tong Foo)
Wilbur Mack	...	Ballistics Expert
Dick Morehead
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Charades Player (uncredited)

Directed by
William Nigh

Writing credits
Hugh Wiley		(books)
Scott Darling		(original screenplay)

Produced by
Scott R. Dunlap	....	executive producer
William T. Lackey	....	producer (as William Lackey)

Original Music by
Edward J. Kay		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Harry Neumann

Film Editing by
Russell F. Schoengarth		(as Russell Schoengarth)

Art Direction by
E.R. Hickson		(uncredited)

Production Management
Charles J. Bigelow	....	production manager (as Chas. J. Bigelow)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
W.B. Eason	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Karl Zint	....	sound recording engineer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Louis Brown	....	wardrobe

Music Department
Edward J. Kay	....	musical director (as Edward Kay)
Edward J. Kay	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)

Other crew
E.R. Hickson	....	technical manager

Production Companies

• Monogram Pictures Corporation

Distributors

• Monogram Pictures Corporation (1939) (USA) (theatrical)
• Associated British Film Distributors (ABFD) (1939) (UK) (theatrical)
• VCI Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• Critics' Choice Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Liberty Home Video (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• Passport Video (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media) (non-theatrical)

Other Companies

• Screen Time Images  audio restoration
• Screen Time Images  film restoration

Runtime:

68 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16

Company:

Monogram Pictures Corporation

Quotes:

[first lines]
Sing, the Butler: Good morning, sir.
Brandon Edwards: Morning.
[the butler begins to take his coat]
Brandon Edwards: Never mind! The mistress up yet?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mammoth (2006) (TV)

Elementary my dear Street

Yes, Mr. Wong is on hand when a murder of a friend takes place. He could not prevent it but works with Capt. Sam Street of the police to solve it. The means of death is not complicated or ingenious - shooting with a silencer. But there are a number of suspects. Ballistics prove that the bullet came from a high angle. Quickly, half of the suspects are off the hook and the film becomes a relatively easy whodunit. Elementary for Mr. Wong, but of course the police are on the wrong track. Good film to see late at night when the "little gray cells" need a rest or if complicated sleuthing is not your "expertise."