Product ReviewsThe Fatal Hour (DVD, 1940)

The Fatal Hour

This movie is not quite as good as the first of the series "Mr. Wong Detective." The first movie was better than the next four, but it is fair to say that "The Fatal Hour" is as good, if not better, than the rest. This is, I believe, the fifth and last in the Mr. Wong series that starred Boris Karloff. There was one additional movie, "Phantom of Chinatown" produced after this one. It substituted Keye Luke for Karloff, but for most detective mystery fans, it was simply an uphill battle for Luke that he couldn't win.
Grant Withers plays the police captain again, as he is in three other Mr. Wong films with Karloff. Marjorie Reynolds is also in two others as well in a supporting role as an over anxious reporter looking for a story. The story line has a decent plot and the acting is o.k. as well.
If you like detective stories, this is a decent choice. Karloff is consistent in his characterization of Mr. Wong throughout the series. Undoubtedly, if you enjoyed any of the others, you would enjoy this one as well.Read full review...