THE FATAL HOUR (1940) Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds & Grant Withers | Crime, Mystery | B&W

The Fatal Hour is a 1940 American thriller crime drama film directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff (as James Lee Wong), Grant Withers, and Marjorie Reynolds.

Fourth installation of the series, the film is also known as Mr. Wong at Headquarters in the United Kingdom. The picture was followed by the sequel Doomed to Die, which also stars Karloff, Reynolds and Withers.

SYNOPSIS
When Captain Street's best friend Dan Grady is found murdered in the San Francisco Bay, his grief leads him to enlist the help of Chinese detective James Lee Wong and local newspaper reporter Bobbie Logan. Grady, investigating gemstone smuggling, was last seen at the Neptune club owned by notorious con man Harry Lockett. As the investigation progresses, suspicions point to jeweler Frank Belden and the seductive Tanya Serova, unraveling a ring of smuggling operations. The gang's demise implicates Frank Belden Jr., Serova's boyfriend, but Wong uncovers a scheme to frame him. With Wong's revelation, lawyer John T. Forbes is exposed and arrested by Captain Street, aided by Logan's crucial assistance.

CAST & CREW
Boris Karloff as James Lee Wong
Grant Withers as Capt. Bill Street
Marjorie Reynolds as Roberta 'Bobbie' Logan
Charles Trowbridge as John T. Forbes
Frank Puglia as Harry 'Hardway' Lockett
Craig Reynolds as Frank Belden, Jr.
Lita Chevret as Tanya Serova
Harry Strang as Det. Ballard
Hooper Atchley as Frank Belden Sr.
Jason Robards Sr. as Griswold (billed as Jason Robards)
Richard Loo as Jeweler
Jack Kennedy as Mike, Police Sergeant

Directed by: William Nigh
Written by: Hugh Wiley, Scott Darling, George Waggner
Produced by: Scott R. Dunlap, William T. Lackey
Cinematography: Harry Neumann
Edited by: Russell F. Schoengarth
Music by: Edward J. Kay
Distributed by: Monogram Pictures Corporation
Release date: January 15, 1940
Running time: 68 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English