
“HUNTED BY THE POLICE!...STALKED BY A KILLER!”
In Puerto Rico to investigate a glut of contraband diamonds that are flooding the world's jewel market, Mr. Moto and his sidekick, a wrestler, find themselves involved in murders by thrown daggers, the frame-up of an overstressed Army colonel, and a pirate gang led by an unknown boss who has inside knowledge of the ensuing investigation.
Release Date: 4/7/1939
Runtime: 64 minutes
Languages: English
Director: Herbert I. Leeds
00Companies: 20th Century Fox
Countries: United States of America
CinemaSerf
This last but one outing for Peter Lorre in the title role is a really lacklustre affair with precious little for either us, to him, to sink our teeth into. Our contemplative detective is despatched to Puerto Rico to investigate a diamond smuggling racket that cost his predecessor his life. En route he bests and befriends the nice but dim wrestler "McGurk" (Warren Hymer - whom I could have sworn was Ward Bond) and so acquires quite an useful bodyguard as his task becomes positively dangerous. Sadly, though, the infiltration and exposure elements of the story are quite weak, and the opportunities for "Moto" to use his celebrated cerebral skills are sparse. It's engaging enough to watch, though, just a shade on the predicable side.

Peter Lorre
Kentaro Moto

Warren Hymer
Twister McGurk

Amanda Duff
Joan Castle

Robert Lowery
Lt. George Bentley

Leon Ames
Commissioner Madero

Jean Hersholt
Mr. Sutter

Douglass Dumbrille
Comdr. La Costa

Richard Lane
Police Commissioner Gordon

Charles D. Brown
Capt. Thomas Castle

Paul Harvey
Gov. John Bentley

Eddie Marr
Capt. Dahlen

Harry Woods
Grant
1944