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The Mysterious Mr. Wong (1935)
Mr. Wong searches Chinatown for the "Twelve Gold Coins of Confucius"
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The 1935 film "The Mysterious Mr. Wong" is set in a California "Chinatown", either in San Francisco
or in Los Angeles. Mr. Wong is portrayed by Bela Lugosi, the actor who became famous for starring
in the 1931 film "Dracula."
Mr. Fu Wong, an evil Chinaman similar to the much more famous "Dr. Fu Manchu", is obsessed
with finding twelve gold coins which the Chinese philosopher Confucius handed out to his friends
over two thousand years ago. He believes that the coins have a magical power which will enable the finder
to become the emperor of the (fictional) province of Keelat in China.
Mr. Wong brought some of the coins from China and has acquired two more in Chinatown by having his
henchmen murder their owners and steal the coins. The henchmen have left notes blaming Tongs
(Chinese gangs) for the murders. Mr. Wong now possesses eleven of the coins and needs the twelfth.
A newspaper reporter, Jason H. Barton, doesn't buy the idea that Tongs are behind the murders
and decides to investigate with the assistance of his girlfriend Peg.
The coins are shown several times and appear to be quite large, possibly two inches in diameter,
and similar to Chinese "Cash" coins which have four Chinese characters and either a round or
square hole in the center.
Real Chinese coins are much smaller than the ones in the film. The prop coins appear similar to
large Chinese "Good Luck Coins" which are still being sold.
1. Title
The film opens with a prologue:
CONFUCIUS - Chinese sage and philosopher. The most famous of all the sages of China.
He was born in the state of Lu in the province which is now called Chantung where his
decendants of seventy-six generations are.
There is a tradition that twelve coins given by Confucius on his deathbed to twelve trusted
friends, will someday come to the possession of one man and give him extraordinary powers
in the province of Keelat.
The film begins with a man lying dead in the street.
2. Found in the hand
Another man picks up a large Chinese coin from the dead man's hand.
A piece of paper with a Chinese character is pinned to the dead man's clothes.
3. The mark of the Tong
The character is (supposedly) the mark of a "Tong" or Chinese gang.
Another body is found along with another Chinese coin.
4. Found near the foot
This Chinese coin has four characters on it along with a square hole in the center.
Mr. Tung, a Chinese agent from Keelat, arrives from China and he tells other people:
We have been sent here to put an end to Wong's party, and so far we have failed.
This madman Manchurian must be found and the coins of Confucius restored to Keelat.
In the hands of Wong, they mean destruction.
At Mr. Wong's residence three henchmen (employees) report.
5. The Three Henchmen report to Mr. Wong
Two henchmen have brought coins but the third hasn't.
Mr. Wong is unhappy with this as he has eleven coins so far.
6. I must have all twelve coins!
"One more! The province of Keelat shall know its rightful ruler."
Mr. Wong suspects the man of keeping the coin and has him thrown into a celler.
"A few hours with the rats will make speak the truth."
He then goes to visit his women.
7. Mr. Wong's women
The women are afraid of him.
The owner of a Chinese Laundry is killed and a note is found written in Chinese.
A newspaper reporter, Jason H. Barton, who is investigating the murders, finds the note
and takes it to a University professor.
8. Department of Orientology
Jason tears the note in half and hands one-half to a Professor Chan Fu who examines it.
An English translation appears which reads "Golden Coin of Confucius is concealed."
Professor Chan receives a telephone call from Mr. Wong and Jason leaves.
Jason meets the Chinese agent Mr. Tung who translates the note.
9. Quick translation
"Golden Coin of Confucius is concealed in the yellow bowl."
Jason takes his girlfriend Peg to dinner at a Chinese restaurant.
10. Dinner date
They receive fortune cookies and Peg's reads "You will shortly experience a great danger."
11. Surprise
A man appears behind Jason. He holds up a gold coin.
12. The gold coin
Jason and Peg visit a Chinese Herb shop run by a Mr. Li See.
It is fairly obvious that Li See is Mr. Wong.
Mr. Tung had previously visited the Herb shop and was caught by Wong's henchmen.
Jason and Peg discover a hidden passage in the shop.
13. Jason and Peg and the secret passage
They enter it and find themselves in Mr. Wong's residence.
14. Jason and Peg meet the women
The women chase the pair outside and they find another entrance leading to a meeting with Mr. Wong.
15. Captured
Mr. Wong tells Jason:
"You wanted a story for your paper and now you have it.
But I cannot promise that you will ever print it."
16. Awaiting a fiendish torture
Wong's men move Jason and Peg to racks and leave the room.
Jason manages to grab a telephone and calls his newspaper editor with the address.
Shortly after some police arrive and Mr. Wong pulls out a gun.
17. Shootout
Mr. Wong is fatally injured and goes down.
18. The End of Wong
Mr. Tung explains: "Those coins of Confucius will never fall into the hands of Wong.
Wong has gone to join his ancestors."
19. Jason and Peg
Jason asks her "Say listen, can I call you by my last name?"
Cast, Directors, Writers:
Bela Lugosi as Mr. Fu Wong / Li See the herb dealer
Wallace Ford as Jason H. Barton
Arline Judge as Peg
Chester Gan as Mr. Tung, Chinese agent
Director: William Nigh
Writers: Lew Levenson, Harry Stephen Keeler (story)
Wallace Ford as Jason H. Barton
Arline Judge as Peg
Chester Gan as Mr. Tung, Chinese agent
Writers: Lew Levenson, Harry Stephen Keeler (story)
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