Boris Karloff dons the detective's hat in a locked-room murder mystery laced with poison gas and espionage.
MR. WONG, DETECTIVE
Thousands asked to see Collier's Magazine famous detective on the screen... here he is!
When a chemical manufacturer is killed after asking detective James Wong to help him, Wong investigates this and two subsequent murders. He uncovers a international spy ring hoping to steal the formula for a poison gas being developed by the first victim's company.
Quick Answer
Mr. Wong, Detective is a 1938 American crime, drama, thriller, and mystery film directed by William Nigh about a chemical manufacturer killed under mysterious circumstances, prompting detective James Wong to investigate a web of murder and international espionage.
Programmer's Pick
Boris Karloff trades his monster makeup for a pince-nez, serving classic B-movie detective realness with a whiff of poison gas and a generous side of espionage. San Francisco’s Chinatown is less a setting than a moody playground for murder, coded telegrams, and a parade of suspects.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This film marks Boris Karloff's first appearance as Mr. Wong, beginning his association with the character in this 1938 American crime film directed by William Nigh.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Boris Karloff steps into the role of Chinese-American detective James Lee Wong, adding his own reserved gravitas to a character rarely seen in 1930s cinema.
The film centers on a classic locked-room murder, challenging Wong—and the audience—to unravel how a man could die in a sealed office.
The murder weapon isn’t a dagger or revolver, but a broken glass ball of deadly poison gas, heightening the stakes and the sense of peril.
International spies, secret chemical formulas, and smoky Chinatown intrigue make this a snapshot of pre-war pulp paranoia.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Questions from the Vault
Who directed Mr. Wong, Detective? +
Mr. Wong, Detective was directed by William Nigh.
How long is Mr. Wong, Detective? +
Mr. Wong, Detective has a runtime of 70 minutes.
What genre is Mr. Wong, Detective? +
Mr. Wong, Detective is a crime, drama, thriller, and mystery film.
Where can I watch Mr. Wong, Detective? +
You can watch Mr. Wong, Detective on SassyFlix.
How is the murder committed in a locked room? +
The victim is killed by poison gas released from a broken glass ball, allowing the murder to occur in a locked office with no visible wounds or evidence of intrusion.
