kapelusznik18 ***SPOILERS*** The last of the "Mister Moto" series with Peter Lorre as the famed international Japanese detective who's involved in preventing the heist of the Queen of Sheba's crown jewels that was recovered from under the desert sands of an Egyptian Pharaoh's tomb that was sent to the San Francisco Art Museum for public viewing. There's the usual Judo and karate fighting scenes by Mister Moto against the bad guys as well as him giving Judo lessons to a picked on 98 pound hotel bus boy who ends up flattening the bully, with a body flip, who's been making his life miserable.With mobsters Ruba & Perez, Anthony Warde & Morgan Wallace, planning to both rub out Mister Moto and steal the crown jewels Moto is also hindered by his bumbling partner-whom he wanted no part of-Archie Featherston, G.P Huntley, who's only in the movie for comedy relief and nothing else. Yet in was by Archie in being the only person who could identify-by photographing him- the person who was on the scene of the attempted robbery of the crown of Sheba that broke the case wide open for Mister Moto. Mister Moto finally uncovers the person only known as "Metaxa" when his two partners in crime Ruba & Perez get caught by the police with Mister Moto's help. As we soon find out this "Metaxa" was the inside man in trying to steal the Queen of Sheba's crown who despite all his brilliance as a master criminal greatly underrated Mister Moto and in the end paid for it. The movie released in 1939 at a time when people were not that sensitive about racial stereotypes in the movies it had both Chinese as well as black-and even white- members of the cast look ridicules, by 2017 standers, without anyone getting worked up over it. In fact there was a scene with Archie Fetherstone at what looked like a Halloween party in black face that was played for laughs and not only didn't offend anyone on the screen as well as even Mister Moto, who in being Oriental, seemed to find nothing wrong with it.

guenzeld It's hard to dislike a Mr Moto film, not only because of the stylishness with which they were all made but because, of course, Peter Lorre is so ingratiating in a role tailor-made for him. He is just excellent in the part and it is a pity there were only eight entries in this charming series. As for MR MOTO TAKES A VACATION, I can recommend it quite highly.Like others I will offer the one caveat: the rather irritating "comic relief" character. Hollywood had such marvelous actors available to play the typical "silly-ass" Englishman that it is a wonder why they allowed this gentleman to take the role and to overplay it so gratingly. The writing here could have been tightened up a bit, and the reliable Norman Foster could have toned him down a few pegs.But much of this is balanced by other delights in the film, starting with dear, old Willie Best in a wonderfully funny (and beautifully directed) cameo. Bob Hope called Best one of the best actors he'd ever worked with. It's easy to see why here. He is as lovable as everyone's favorite bumbling Uncle, a sort of compendium of both Laurel and Hardy. Also distinguishing its interesting cast is the great Joesph Schildkraut, an actor incapable of giving a bad performance. He was one of the masters of his profession.Charming, fun, and magnificently photographed in rich, lustrous black and white, I really don't think you could go wrong with this one.

Michael O'Keefe An archaeological project ends up having mild-mannered sleuth Kantaro Moto(Peter Lorre)putting a vacation on hold. Young archaeologist Howard Stevens(John King)becomes notable after unearthing the priceless crown of The Queen of Sheba. Mr. Moto will take on the appearance of a German artifacts expert to help protect the crown as it makes the journey to be displayed at a San Francisco museum. A bumbling tourist named Featherstone(G.P. Huntley)all but blows the detective's charade. An international jewel thief joins forces with a few Frisco hoodlums to steal the much sought after artifact. It doesn't take Mr. Moto long to suspect that someone working with the museum may be an allusive master criminal. This is the last in the somewhat successful 20th Century Fox crime series. It has been said that Lorre was more than glad this role was coming to an end. This film is interesting enough, but Huntley's antics get old quick. Other players include: Virginia Field, Joseph Schildkraut, Iva Stewart, Victor Varconi, Anthony Warde and one of the best villains in the business Lionel Atwell.

bensonmum2 A team of archaeologists uncover a real treasure – the Crown of the Queen of Sheeba. From Egypt, the crown is to be transferred via steamship to San Francisco. But it won't be an easy journey. There are plenty of would-be thieves who would love to get their hands on the priceless jewels contained in the crown. Fortunately for all involved, Mr. Moto is on hand to guard the crown on its journey. However, that doesn't mean someone won't try to get their hands on the treasure.After the disappointment of Mr. Moto's Gamble, I went into Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation hoping for the best, but, admittedly, fearing the worst. But within the first 10 seconds of the film, I knew I would find it more enjoyable. I'm a sucker for a 1930s style mystery that features anything to do with archaeological digs in Egypt. And seeing Moto disguised as a German archaeologist (Imagine that, Peter Lorre playing a German?), the beginning scenes really drew me in. While the movie may have quickly shifted to the less exotic San Francisco, it remained just as enjoyable. Dark, sinister characters lurking in the rainy night; gunshots fired from open windows that narrowly miss the hero's head; sophisticated and supposed foolproof alarm systems just begging for someone to test them; and master criminals believed to be dead – these are the kind of elements found in a lot of the really good 1930s mysteries that I love. And Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation's got 'em all. A couple other bonuses for me included the always enjoyable Lionel Atwill in a nice little role, comic relief from G.P. Huntley that's actually funny, and a return to form for Mr. Moto. I've already mentioned his disguise in the movie's opening scenes, well the athletic Moto comes out near the film's finale. Moto is a like a Whirling Dervish of activity as he goes after his prey. All this and I haven't even mentioned the wonderful performance turned in by Lorre. Any way you look at it, Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation is a winner.As much as I hate that the Mr. Moto series had to end after this installment, it's understandable when you think about it. WWII was just around the corner. And after Pearl Harbor, a movie with a Japanese hero wouldn't have gone over very well. At least the Mr. Moto series ended on a very positive note.