The second Mr. Moto film takes place in the northern Chinese city of Peiping, an isolated but strangely Westernized city.  The plot involves seven ancient scrolls from the time of Genghis Khan that, when placed together, reveal the location of a hidden treasure.  A royal Chinese family, down on their luck financially, own six of them but refuse to sell out of pride.  Eventually, they are stolen and only Mr. Moto can stop someone from taking the treasure out of China.

The film is again fast-paced and lively.  There is little humor and Mr. Moto remains a dangerous character.  He kills his enemies quickly and without remorse.  His interest in Chinese values such as honor and family elevate him above being a simple common police officer.  The film has John Carradine as a Mexican (!) antiques dealer in China and many mentions are made of the way Western countries removed artifacts from China illegally.  While not quite as involving as the first Moto film, this is still an above average B picture.  ✰ ✰ ½.

MJM  01-06-2012