Watch The Mysterious Mr. Wong

The Mysterious Mr. Wong is a 1934 film noir directed by William Nigh and starring Bela Lugosi, Wallace Ford, and Arline Judge. The film follows the story of Wong, a notorious Chinese merchant who is one of the most powerful and feared men in San Francisco's Chinatown. When a valuable artifact is stolen from the British Museum, Wong becomes involved in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the British embassy representative and a nosy reporter.

Bela Lugosi delivers a fantastic performance as the cunning and ruthless Wong. His portrayal of the character is eerily captivating, and he effortlessly commands the screen with his presence. His smooth and calculated demeanor is genuinely chilling, making him the perfect villain for this type of film. Wallace Ford is fantastic as the newspaper reporter who is trying to uncover the truth, displaying an excellent combination of charm and wit. Arline Judge also delivers a solid performance as the female lead, providing the perfect amount of sass and intelligence to the film.

The movie has a mysterious and brooding atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of film noir. The film's visual style is nothing short of stunning, with dramatic contrast lighting and innovative camera angles that convey the tension and danger lurking around every corner, beautifully amplifying the movie's looming sense of unease.

The story of The Mysterious Mr. Wong follows a fast-paced, suspenseful narrative that’s full of twists and turns. It opens on an electrifying note with the robbery of a famous gem known as the "Eye of the Moon," which occurs during a suspiciously planned blackout in London. With the League of Nations conference in town, the British government is naturally concerned, and London’s embassy assigns a trusted agent, Captain Jackson, to retrieve the Eye and bring it back to British shores.

However, the gem has already found its way to San Francisco, where Mr. Wong and his vast network of contacts soon have it in their possession. The embassy representative, Craig Reynolds, hires a local journalist, Jason Barton, to lead the investigation into the gem's whereabouts, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Wong's henchmen.

While the main plotline revolves around the Eye, there are several subplots and twists that keep the audience engaged throughout. From a love triangle between Barton, his former love interest, and her new boyfriend, to a growing sense of unease regarding the mysterious Mr. Wong himself, the film is never dull and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Mysterious Mr. Wong is a classic example of a film noir, a genre that is known for its dark themes, gritty visuals and complex characters. At its core, the film isn't just a whodunit mystery, but an exploration of the criminal underworld and the consequences that come with engaging with it. As the investigation unfolds, the brittle nature of such alliances becomes painfully clear, and the high danger and hardship of uncovering a corrupt empire are brought to light.

In summary, The Mysterious Mr. Wong is a must-watch for any fan of film noir or Bela Lugosi. With a fantastic performance by Lugosi and a gripping storyline, it's no surprise that the movie has become a beloved classic in the genre. If you're looking for a tale of intrigue, danger and dastardly villains, this 1934 film is the one for you.

The Mysterious Mr. Wong is a 1935 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 3 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.