Battle of the faux-ethnic detectives from Fox 1930s B-movies (both of whom have had DVD collections released recently): Charlie Chan, as played by Warner Oland, vs. Mr. Moto, as played by Peter Lorre. Who wins:
a) A physical fight;
b) A contest to see who can be the first to solve the mystery of the missing necklace/cursed statue/murdered society woman?
a) Moto. He's younger and faster. But the inspiration for Chan, the real Honolulu detective Chang Apana whips them both - literally (his main weapon was a bullwhip).
ReplyDeleteMr. Moto wins 'cuz Lorre was nastier than Oland.
ReplyDeleteNow, if it was Mr. Moto vs. Jackie Chan...
Actually, I'd bet on Charlie as a dark horse. Though he never had occasion to use violence, he does send a guy to the mat in one scene of Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936).
ReplyDelete