Mr. Moto Takes a Chance (1938)

Twentieth Century – Fox Film Company released the fourth Mr. Moto film, Mr. Moto Takes a Chance (1938), on June 24, 1938. Lou Breslow and John Patrick set the film in Cambodia allowing Twentieth-Century Fox to use stock footage of the recently discovered ruins of Angkor Wat. The discovery of Angkor Wat captured the attention of the American public. Many film companies took advantage of this fascination by using the ariel footage of the temple in many films of the 1930s.

Mr. Moto, portrayed by Peter Lorre, employs the disguises of an archaeologist and holy man to prevent an arms deal. Rebellious members of a local tribe intend to use the weapons to attack the French colonists. In the guise of the holy man, Mr. Moto confuses and manipulates the rebellious religious leader of the local tribe.

Peter Lorre starred in eight Mr. Moto films between 1938 and 1939. Unlike other Asian detectives, who were cerebral, Mr. Moto also relied on the physical skills of jujitsu. Mr. Moto threw and joint locked bad guys through all eight films. Mr. Moto kills at least two men in this film.

Rochelle Hudson co-stars with Peter Lorre as aviator Victoria Mason. Ms. Mason is forced to land in the jungle, when her plane catches fire. Or did it?

Rochelle Hudson was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 6, 1916. Hudson’s mother pushed Rochelle onto the stage. The strikingly beautiful Ms. Hudson found work in primarily “B” films.

Rochelle Hudson also married and divorced four times. Prior to her too young death 55 years of age, Ms. Hudson contracted a liver ailment. Ms. Hudson died from pneumonia on January 17, 1972.

Mr. Moto Takes a Chance surprised me with a couple of plot devices including destroying “holy sites” in the film. Besides an Anglo playing a Japanese detectives, several plot devices would prevent this film from being made today. Do you agree? Why or why not?

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