Sayonara Mr. Moto

MR MOTO IN DANGER ISLAND-1939-While recovering in Puerto Rico from an appendectomy, Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre) investigates the smuggling of stolen diamonds. He gets help from pro wrestler Twister McGirk (Warren Hymer) who talks like Slip Mahoney. Suspects include a diamond merchant Sutter (Jean Hersholt), Col. Castle (Charles D. Brown), Commissioner Gordon (Richard Lane), Lt. Bentley (Robert Lowery), Commissioner Madera (Leon Ames) and La Costa (Douglas Dumbrille). Castle's daughter Joan (Amanda Duff) tries to help after her father is accused of murder. When Moto is accused of being an infamous Japanese criminal, he and Twister lam it. Later they are taken into the confidence of the crime gang. Renie Riano is a blond haired librarian and Willie Best is a frightened boat driver.]

This was the last of the 8 Mr. Moto movies made by 20^th Century Fox between 1937 & 1939. It is also the second Moto script to be rewritten from an unmade Charlie Chan script (because of Warner Oland's death). Herbert I. Leeds also directed the Charlie Chan mystery CITY IN DARKNESS (with Sidney Toler) the same year.

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Clipped Wings

CLIPPED WINGS-1953-Slip (Leo Gorcey) and Sach (Huntz Hall) accidentally join the army while trying to help their friend Dave (Todd Karns), a lieutenant who is arrested for being a spy. In actuality he's working with the FBI to break up a spy ring (lead by Phillip Van Zandt and June Vincent). For a time Sach is assigned to the WACs barracks where Renie Riano plays the sergeant. David Gorcey and Bennie Bartlett are there as is little Louie (Bernard Gorcey) providing some additional laughs. Once again this has an Abbott and Costello feel to it (think BUCK PRIVATES). 

A lot of familiar character actors appear unbilled including Lyle Talbott, Paul Bryar, Tristram Coffin, Henry Kulky, Arthur Space and William Tannen. Even Ed Wood Jr. regular Conrad Brooks has a bit role. 

Charles Marion (who worked on A & C movies) wrote it and Edward Bernds (who worked with the Stooges and Our Gang) directed. 

It was once released on VHS!

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