Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938)

On October 14, 1938, 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation released the fifth of eight Mr. Moto Films starring Peter Lorre as Interpol Policeman Kentaro Moto. In Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938), Mr. Moto infiltrates a prison and helps a prisoner escape to discover the plans of his criminal organization.

Mr. Moto breaks international criminal Paul Brissac, played by Leon Ames, out of Devil’s Island prison. Mr. Moto uses the escape to infiltrate the organization behind Brissac, the League of Assassins. Brissac and Mr. Moto travel to London, where a plot to assassinate a foreign diplomat is planned.

Ernst Litmar is the leader of the London Group. Litmar, played by Harold Huber, suspects Mr. Moto is more than he appears. Mr. Moto proceeds carefully to avoid Litmar’s suspicion and discover the secret assassin on the inside of the diplomat’s inner circle.

Leon Ames was born Leon Waycoff in Portland, Indiana on January 20, 1902. Ames wanted to be an actor but would not arrive on Broadway until 1933. Most of his time prior to his arrival on Broadway was spent on the local theater circuit.

Ames played in 158 films making his last two appearances in 1984 at 82 years of age. Unlike many actors, Ames married Christine Gossett in 1938 and remained married to her until his death. They had two children. On October 12, 1993, 91-year-old Leon Ames passes away after a long successful career and life.

You can often find Mysterious Mr. Moto on the streaming services such as YouTube. Where do you rate this film? Where does it rate for you in the series?

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