Boris Karloff's performance as James Lee Wong is probably the best thing about this film. It's subtle and effective, and doesn't fall back on the Chinese stereotypes that many would have. Monogram was about the least respected studio around at this time, but Boris Karloff probably couldn't resist the offer to star in his own detective series, and his enjoyment shows.
The others actors, however, are almost universally horrible. The performances tend towards either the wooden or the constantly-shouting. Grant Withers even seems to forget his lines at one point, and nobody thinks to do another take.
The direction and design are both flat and dull. There is some cleverness to the film's mystery plot, but it is developed mainly with long, clumsily-written passages of exposition. Karloff fans will want to see him as Mr. Wong, but otherwise there's not much reason to bother with this sloppy B-picture.
The others actors, however, are almost universally horrible. The performances tend towards either the wooden or the constantly-shouting. Grant Withers even seems to forget his lines at one point, and nobody thinks to do another take.
The direction and design are both flat and dull. There is some cleverness to the film's mystery plot, but it is developed mainly with long, clumsily-written passages of exposition. Karloff fans will want to see him as Mr. Wong, but otherwise there's not much reason to bother with this sloppy B-picture.