L'ora fatale

Neither of the six films in the Mr Wong series are great but they are entertaining enough. The Fatal Hour does drag a fair bit, the photography could have done with a little more finesse and while he is much better than he is in Mr Wong in Chinatown Grant Withers overacts, shouting his lines too much. I didn't find it a bad film at all and found it an improvement over Mr Wong in Chinatown. The sets and lighting are effective enough, the music is jaunty and eerie and the dialogue has good doses of humour and thoughtfulness. The story is not as predictable as it sounds, the murders are not particularly creative but the plotting is diverting, fills the short running time very well and the twists and red herrings add to the intrigue and fun(personally I didn't find it that convoluted) though would have been more effective with a brisker pace. The Fatal Hours also is one of the better acted films in the series. Boris Karloff regardless of reservations of authenticity is very magnetic and gives a dignified and thoughtful performance. Marjorie Reynolds is very sassy with the humour coming naturally to her, she and Withers do have some good chemistry. The supporting cast is one of the stronger and more consistent ones of the series, Robert Puglia is the standout as the film's most interesting character and Craig Reynolds also injects life and humour to things. In conclusion, not great but better than expected. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Karloff tops a first class cast supported by the beautiful Marg Reynolds, who was at the beginning of her climb up the ladder after years of bit parts. (She was the fem lead in the best of all Abbott and Costello films, Time of Their Lives (A must see)). Grant Withers as the top cop works with the oriental Karloff character to solve a couple of murders. Others who shine are Frank Puglia as a shifty crime boss and Lita Chavret as the second fem banana. Script by Scott Darling and George Waggner holds well. This is a typical 1940's classic that is fun to watch. Directed by the very professional William Nigh who has more than 100 notches on his directorial gun. Made by Monogram studio. This is one of 50 films in the Horror Movie DVD pack that's well worth investigating. This film is well worth the time.

Let me start by saying that I love these good ol' mystery flicks from the 40's. They're usually nice a short, filled with decent acting and predictable plot lines. While this did only run a mere 68 minutes, and the actors were as good as usual, I must say I was rather surprised at the outcome. Great twist in what I had pegged as a predictable film. The characters were all great, though I can't quite buy Karloff as a Chinaman. Grant Withers was great as the typical hard-boiled cop, though I must say this particular cop was more flustered than most, providing some fun comic relief. The trademark female reporter was pretty good here as well, played by the beautiful Marjorie Reynolds. If you're a fan of this kind of movie, I highly recommend it. Better than most!

8/10

After a number of Mr. Wong detective movies, Boris Karloff's performance as a "Chinese copper" is a smooth transition in believing Karloff is Chinese. The battling twosome of Captain Street and Reporter Bobbie Logan returns as usual. Because of the number of mysteries solved by Mr. Wong, Street seeks out the detective in solving the murder of Street's friend and fellow cop, Dan O'Grady. A level head is needed in solving this mystery. Numerous clues appear and only Wong can see them. Of course, this will occur only if Wong can survive till the end of the movie. For once, the female reporter Logan saves the lives of both of the men. A good movie to watch if you like a mystery.

This was a Wong routine murder mystery, none too well produced, which has as its principal saving grace the suave BORIS KARLOFF...as a master detective. Basically an ordinary story, its failure to impress is largely due to the elemental plot and the inconsistencies which figure. Karloff still made this a classic film series for viewers of many generations.