“Doomed to Die” is a 1940 mystery film directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff as Mr. Wong. Mr. Wong and a girl reporter investigate a shipping magnate’s murder. It is a sequel to the 1940 film, “The Fatal Hour”.
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Directed by William Nigh, produced by Paul Malvern and Scott R. Dunlap, written by Hugh Wiley, Ralph Gilbert Bettison and Michael Jacoby, starring Boris Karloff as James Lee Wong, Marjorie Reynolds as Roberta ‘Bobbie’ Logan, Grant Withers as Capt. William ‘Bill’ Street (Homicide Squad), William Stelling as Dick Fleming, Catherine Craig as Cynthia Wentworth, Guy Usher as Paul Fleming (Dick’s father), Henry Brandon as Victor ‘Vic’ Martin (attorney), Melvin Lang as Cyrus P. Wentworth, Wilbur Mack as Matthews (Wentworth’s assistant), Kenneth Harlan as Ludlow (chauffeur) and Richard Loo as Tong leader.
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Source: “Doomed to Die” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 9 April 2013. Web. 20 April 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomed_to_die.
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my kind of Crime / Mystery…solving crime with humor ..
LOVED it!
Great whodunit! Thanks for posting this!
Ah, M.r Karloff- thank you for posting this. Mare
Thank you for this and all your wonderful pos. These movies are from my youth. Great reviewing the long lost
NO, she isnt going to stay away from you. and no she aint gonna let go of you. cant you see the poor lady is scared to death!!?? 😉 heh
i had no idea this was the sequel toTHE FATAL HOUR. thankyou
Monogram Pictures answer to Universal Pictures Charlie Chan, and neither one oriental.
One seldom sees Boris actually laugh.
Karloff as a Chinese detective — convincing look & wonderful acting for a B-picture — but Karloff never dropped his obvious English accent. Oversight? Or comic relief? Boris was just the type of man to slip something like that by the director and producers. I doubt an actor like Boris would be cast in such a role today. Chinese actors would protest — and rightfully so. If Chinese actors are available, Chinese actors should get the part. However, in the case of John Wayne playing Genghis Khan in "The Conqueror," — finding a Mongolian actor may be more difficult. But, Native Americans should play Native Americans, Geronimo with blue eyes (Chuck Connors) was very humorous. Connors was good, but blue eyes on a Native American? Is that even possible? Italians should play Italians (accept in the case of one Anthony Quinn — who was great as an Italian, Greek and Mexican (which he was — and Aztec too. His mother was of Aztec ancestry and his father was Mexican-Irish), . But, Caucasians playing Orientals? Difficult sell. Warner Oland and Sidney Toler were convincing Charlie Chans but, a real Oriental would have been better. Peter Lorre — despite being Austro-Hungarian Jewish — was good too as Mr. Motto. Great actors. But…if Chinese actors were available — they should have been given the opportunity. Maybe that era with all its great, classic actors — just wasn't resourceful enough for Asian reality in their films. A shame. I know Hollywood had Asian actors by the dozens.
Trivia — the lawyer in this film Victor Martin is a young Henry Brandon. Henry is famous for three roles: he was the decrepit old man Barnaby in the Laurel & Hardy classic "The March of the Wooden Soldiers." He was also the opera goon who told the Little Rascals' Alfalfa that he "signed the contract" and had to sing "The Barber of Seville." And he portrayed the evil Native American Scar who butted heads with John Wayne — when Wayne was looking for his niece in the western classic "The Searchers." Brandon deserved to be a far bigger star.
ah, so. Henry Brandon also played Foo Manchu in a movie serial. This movie should be remade with George Clooney as Mr. Wong. I love it when Richard Loo says, "I go to your universary, U.C.R.A.)
good movie>
I didn't come here to shop so, screw yer commercials …………
Thanks for posting this Fantastic Movie.
This is the best one yet.
The "Wentworth Castle" shown in the opening is actually footage of the SS Morro Castle, which burned in 1934, in one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century.
I have been watching these Timeless Classic Movies along with many Charlie Chan Movies, … It;s quite bewildering why the producer and director did not invest in a few pairs of hand cuffs … I am glad I found these great movies. … very entertaining
First: An excellent movie. First class. That said, as much as I like ol' Boris, no amount of makeup could transform him into a Mr Wong persona.
Good script and actors. Not boring to watch. Enjoyed it.
38
I wonder what ship was really on fire?
Another good Boris Karloff as a detective
CALLING ALL CARS, CALLING ALL CARS
Lovely ? thank you ? I