CinemaOSMovie · 1928 · 3h 20m · NR

The Chinatown Mystery

90%(1)IMDbAdventureMystery

Restored by the George Eastman House in 2001, this 1928 serial was considered a “last hurrah” for the silent-era serial, and brought together some of the biggest names of the era: director J.P. McGowan, actors Francis Ford and Joe Bonomo (a carnival strongman-turned-actor), producer Trem Carr (who would later help found Monogram Pictures), and a slew of silent-era supporting icons such as Ruth Hiatt, Grace Cunard, and more. Chapter names like “The Clutching Claw,” “The Devil’s Dice, “Galloping Fury,” and “The Invisible Hand” offer all one needs to know of the film’s concerns: to promise and deliver as much action and suspense as possible, and move our intrepid hero and heroine from one perilous situation to another. One of the biggest stars of the early silent era and a successful serials director in his own right, Francis Ford was the brother of director John Ford.

Directed byJ.P. McGowan

Play
Status
Released
Runtime
3h 20m
Language
EN
Released
September 1, 1928
Studios
Trem Carr Pictures

Featuring

Cast & crew

10 credited
Starring
Joe Bonomo

Joe Bonomo

Joe Masters

Ruth Hiatt

Ruth Hiatt

Sally Warren, Chemist

Francis Ford

Francis Ford

The Sphinx

George Chesebro

George Chesebro

Sheldon Lewis

Sheldon Lewis

Ernest Shields

Ernest Shields

Jack Richardson

Jack Richardson

Grace Cunard

Grace Cunard

Rosemary Theby

Rosemary Theby

Peggy O'Day

Peggy O'Day

Creative team
Directed by
J.P. McGowan
J.P. McGowan
Written by
Francis Ford
Francis Ford

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