Rating: 
Summary: Not politically correct but a good flick nevertheless
Review: I bought the DVD because I like the who-done-its from the 30's and I like Peter Lorre. I'll have to tell you I was very skeptical of Lorre made up to be a Japanese detective. Surprisingly he pulled it off quite well. There was quite of bit of humor for a murder-mystery. The film quality was pretty good too for such an old movie.
Rating:
Summary: Not politically correct but a good flick nevertheless
Review: I bought the DVD because I like the who-done-its from the 30's and I like Peter Lorre. I'll have to tell you I was very skeptical of Lorre made up to be a Japanese detective. Surprisingly he pulled it off quite well. There was quite of bit of humor for a murder-mystery. The film quality was pretty good too for such an old movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Too Bad At All!
Review: I give this 3 stars for what it is.... a B-Grade, wartime, espionage thriller. It's also one of the better Mr. Moto movies. Peter Lorre is always good and this time he is up against wartime saboteurs George Sanders and Ricardo Cortez. John Carradine is a double agent who.... well, I wont give it away because that is one of the more exiting parts of this 71-minute feature. All-in-all, pretty good, and a neat little time killer at a decent price. The Alpha dvd has a good definition VHS-quality picture and the sound is O.K. I've seen a lot worse Alpha product, believe me. This is a cut above their usual spy/mystery/thriller movies because it was made at 20th Century Fox and NOT Monogram or PRC. If you like this sort of thing, you wont be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A Guilty Pleasure
Review: I like this movie! I say it with a little bit of guilt & slight shame, because as an Asian-american, I shouldn't! First, for those who are thinking of getting this film, I should explain the plot!Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre), member of the International Police Force, is sent to the Middle East to foil a plot by saboteurs led by Ricardo Cortez (as a ventriloquist/mercenary) & George Sanders ("Mister Freeze" from the 1960's "Batman" tv show!) to blow up British ships on maneuvers. The bad guys are working for an un-named foreign power who want to strain relations between France & Britain, so that their alliance will crumble, clearing the way for the European aggressors (Germany & Italy?) to commence their territorial expansions. With the help of a double, a British agent (John Carradine), various disguises, his detective skills, & his martial-arts ability (jiu-jitsu!), Mr. Moto foils the plot! This movie, made before America's entry into World War Two, hints at Nazi Germany's growing aggression in Europe. That's one of the things that's...strange...about this movie. The protagonist, "Kentaro Moto", is supposed to be a Japanese national. The fact that Mr. Moto is working with the British (to secure their relations with France), in essence, would have been contrary to his own country's interests, since Japan in the 1930's was itself an expensionist nation (making incursions into China) & was negotiating an alliance with Germany, an alliance that was realized in September of 1940, with Japan's joining with Germany & Italy to form the 3-party "Axis Alliance." Japan went to war with Britain (after this movie was made), so Mr. Moto shouldn't have been on this particular mission. (Charlie Chan or Mr. Wong, on the other hand, being Chinese nationals, would have worked for Britian.) Another aspect that makes this movie strange to watch (for today's audiences) is the fact that Peter Lorre's "Mr. Moto" character is an example of "a white actor in Yellow-face." That's the reason why I shouldn't like this movie. By today's standards, the character is "racist" (or at least, politically incorrect!) However, I think the writers were aware of this peculiarity, because Mr. Moto, in order to throw off suspicion to himself, takes on the identity of an "oriental" antiques dealer, speaking in forced "ah-sos" & "thank you very much, please" types of phrasing. Later, however, when talking to his collegues, he speaks in perfect, intelligible English! (Robert Coote's character even says, "I say! You're talking different!") Alright, I said I shouldn't like this movie, but I also confessed that I do! Peter Lorre does a good job of playing Mr. Moto with a very subtle, but clear, satirical sarcasm. I really get the feeling that he was aware of the stereo-typical nature of the role. He actually seems to be satirizing (Hollywood's) racial attitudes with his portrayal. (It's kind of hard to explain with words. You need to see it!) The martial-arts ("Very simple, judo, often mispronounced by foreigners as jiu-jitsu!") is faked, but Peter Lorre does a good job of faking it! The pacing for the film, being an espionage thriller, is decent (for the 1930's), & Robert Coote provides excellent comic relief as a bumbling English tourist. The film-makers seem aware of the political peculiarties of the story by hinting at, but not naming, the Germans. At the end, the other characters ask Mr. Moto which country was behind the plot. Before Mr. Moto can answer, his collegue states, "You better not answer that, Mr. Moto. Otherwise, you'll be out of a job." Is this collegue implying that Mr. Moto, being a national of Japan, (a country who's interests are basically the same as Germany's), could be punished by the Japanese government for exposing the treachery of the Germans, potential allies of Japan? Oh well, I would have rated this movie 3 & 1/2 stars, but that's not an option. The reasons why I didn't rate it 5 stars are as follows: 1. Lack of suspensful incidental music for key scenes. (Typical of the 1930's.) 2. I wanted more of Viginia Field's character! She's Ricardo Cortez's girlfriend in the film. The story touches upon her feelings of betrayal upon finding out what Cortez plans to do. It was real interesting & I think the makers of this film should have expanded upon that relationship even more. 3. Needs more close-up reaction shots for dramatic effect! (Typical of most movies in the 1930's.) 4. James Cagney should have given Peter Lorre judo lessons! (The fight scenes are exciting, but using real martial-arts techniques would make them even better!) It's worth buying, so check it out! By the way, the actor playing Mr. Moto's double is a Japanese actor who I've seen in both "The Delicate Delinquent" (Jerry Lewis' first solo effort) & "You Only Live Twice" (the 1967 James Bond thriller.) He's not credited in this movie (Hollywood racism in the 30's!) Who is he?
Rating:
Summary: Not so great
Review: I'm a huge fan of Peter Lorre and a huge fan of his portrayals of Mr. Moto. However, in this one, everyone seems to die for no particular purpose. Very depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Not so great
Review: I'm a huge fan of Peter Lorre and a huge fan of his portrayals of Mr. Moto. However, in this one, everyone seems to die for no particular purpose. Very depressing.
Rating: 
Summary: Big Trouble For The French Fleet
Review: In MR. MOTO'S LAST WARNING the Japanese agent is in Egypt dueling with an enemy spy who is trying to destroy the French fleet while it travels through the Suez Canal. The enemy plan calls for responsibility for the incident to be assigned to the British. Peter Lorre has the starring role of Mr. Moto for the sixth time. A strong supporting cast includes Ricardo Cortez, John Carradine, Teru Shimada, Virginia Field and George Sanders. The movie also goes by the title of MR. MOTO IN EGYPT.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Spy Thriller filled with a star-studded cast
Review: It is so sad this movie is not available. Peter Lorre made a series of Mr. Moto films, and this is the only one I have seen even offered. I have had a copy for years, and have hoped someone would wake up and smell the coffee and put out the set of movies. I mean, Peter Lorre is the star and Mr. Motto's Last Warning is an excellent thriller. Great script and superb acting. Doesn't anyone in the industry think that his films should be saved? Well, I hope someday, someone will put them out. Im sure they will sell. If you get a copy of this one. It is a great film. you shouldnt be suprised by that. Im amazed no one else seems to care. Well, here is hoping.
Rating:
Summary: Uncredited Asian actor
Review: The name of the uncredited Asian actor who plays the fake Mr. Moto is Teru Shimada.
Rating:
Summary: Where are the other Moto films?
Review: This is a good entry in the Mr. Moto canon, which comprises 8 films made between 1937-39. It is not my favorite, however--Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation, with excellent performances by Lionel Atwill and Joseph Schildkraut, is the best of those I've seen. However, they have been very hard to find, and I've only seen about half of them. Lorre is wonderful as the mysterious Mr. Moto, and the films are great fun and skilfully made, with a host of terrific character actors--in addition to Atwill and Schildkraut, Leon Ames, Jean Hersholt, Keye Luke, John Carradine, George Sanders, Virginia Field, Ricardo Cortez, Maxie Rosenbloom, and many others all turn in outstanding period performances. It is a real shame that more are not being made available--I know that art houses sometimes stage special showings, and I keep hoping that someone will release all eight on DVD. PLEASE!
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