Doomed To Die (Digitally Remastered)

Starring:William /stelling
Studio: 60
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

YOU CAN'T GO WONG WITH THIS SET.......2007-04-28

The great Boris Karloff stars in five late 30's as the well educated oriental sleuth Mr. Wong. Unlike many of the stereotypes (Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto), this movie is basically devoid of pidgeon English with a minimal of racial slurs. Karloff's Wong is smart and elegant. Grant Withers co-stars as the detective who always asks Wong for assistance with his cases. The series became more lively in the last three outings beginning with "Mr. Wong In Chinatown" with the edition of Marjorie Reynolds, as a nosy reporter and sometimes girlfriend of of Withers. Their bickering and snappy one liners are terrific and add a lightness and humor to this dark genre.

The transfer and qualty are very good but too expensive. None of these flicks run longer than 70 minutes and the 6th movie does not star Boris Karloff. Key Luke plays Mr. Wong in "Phantom Over Chinatown" with Grant Withers reprising his role. It is hard to determine if this is a relative of the original Mr. Wong or a "younger" Mr. Wong. Further explanation is needed as this becomes a bit confusing and convolutes the sometimes weak plot.

The Karloff series is the best entry in oriental sleuth genre. It is a shame he became bored with it and left in 1940. Don't confuse this with the poor Bela Lugosi "The Mysterious Mr. Wong". This film has nothing to do with the famous detective series and is filled with insulting ethnic stereotypes and slurs.

If you can afford the set, it is recommended. It's a winner.

Fairly Enjoyable.......2004-12-29

Monogram's 'Mr. Wong' series was apparently done as a rip-off of Fox's Charlie Chan series. Like those films, Mr. Wong featured a wise Oriental detective. Oh...and they also both starred non-Asians. Boris Karloff, I think we can all agree, was just about the least Chinese person in the entire known Universe, but his gentlemanly performance gave the Mr. Wong series a bit of dignity and class. The films on their own are mildly enjoyable potboilers, instantly forgettable but entertaining while playing. This two-disc DVD set gathers the six Mr. Wong films: "Mr. Wong, Detective," "The Mysterious Mr. Wong," "Mr. Wong in Chinatown," "The Fatal Hour," "Doomed to Die," and "The Phantom of Chinatown" (starring Charlie Chan's 'number one son,' Keye Luke, as a young Mr. Wong). "Mr. Wong Detective" is the best. "Phantom of Chinatown" is easily the worst - its jaw dropping political incorectness is hard to take.
The DVD from Roan Group has the films in just about the best condition you'll probably find them in. There are still scratches and plenty of grain, but overall the image is quite sharp and as clear as you could expect. Sound isn't great, but that probably has to do with the sub-par and neglected source materials. The biggest disappointment of the set is that there are no extras whatsoever - some liner notes, production notes, or a photo gallery are all I ask for.

OVERPRICED.......2004-07-13

This set is good, but not worth what Amazon is charging. At the Big O I paid a quarter of this price. In fact, all the Roan titles the Big O carries are at a significant discount from Amazon.

Mr Wong returns.......2004-06-29

Get this set if you are a fan of Mr Wong! IMHO the series got better as it went on. Mr Wong Detective is the first entry in the series and it's enjoyable, but I thought things got even better after that one. I enjoyed each entry. Karloff is fantastic in the first five films. The sixth entry in the series stars Keye Luke who plays a younger version of the character. I loved that idea! Luke is wonderful. Some claim that Luke's entry doesn't fit the series, but that's not so. It's flashback to the first case Wong and Street ever worked on. That idea really made for great viewing. Grant Withers may not look younger as Street, but he is the perfect man for that role. The younger Wong really brings out the best in him. This is a great set for Wong fans. All six Mr Wong movies are a delight.

Exciting.......2003-06-26

It's exciting to have the entire Mr. Wong series on one DVD. They're all very good movies.

Boris Karloff, although not convincing as a Chinese detective, is a graceful performer as always. The real star of 3 of the movies is Marjorie Reynolds as reporter Roberta Logan. She shows style and great wit. She was known later as the wife in the television series The Life of Riley. Keye Luke in the 6th and last film as Mr. Wong is a great treat, as well.

Customer Reviews:

You can't go wrong with Wong.......2004-08-25

Another fine old who-dunnit with Karloff as the great detective. Mr Wong never quite caught on the way Charlie Chan and Mr Moto did. He did have his moments though. His films are well worth a look if you are a fan of these types of mysteries.

Another "Wong" Winner!.......2004-07-02

This is a terrific DVD for the atmosphere, the clever Mr. Wong, This is a B picture, to be sure, shot on a budget, but its great fun as Mr. Wong solves his case. The transfer is very good considering there is no restoration. The sound is very good as well. I love this series and Boris is the man to play the character.

Average customer rating:

Doomed To Die

Manufacturer: Synergy Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Doomed to Die (1940) DVD [Remastered Edition]

Average customer rating:

Awesome Thriller
Classic Karloff
Thanks everybody at a2zcds. Keep them coming

Doomed to Die (1940) DVD [Remastered Edition]

Manufacturer: A2ZCDS.com
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009RS0DS
Release Date: 2005-05-23

Description

Restrained by tight-fisted budgeting and hectic schedules, William Nigh was destined to become a non-stylist director and settled down to directing a string of modestly budgeted fast- paced action thrillers and mysteries. Credited with a string of moderate successes with his Mr. Wong detective series, Nigh enthralled audiences with the clever deductions of his Chinese private eye - James Lee Wong.

Somewhere along the way Nigh seems to have had a brush with Chinese culture and traditions and uses these pretty effectively - in his almost trademark use of Chinese actors, Chinese settings, Chinese dialogues and yes a sprinkling of Chinese philosophy as well. Doomed to die is set at the confluence of two cultures - American and you guessed it - Chinese!

This thrilling narrative has the not-so-bright- police chief Bill Street pitting his wits against the masterly Wong with the nosey, reporter Bobbie Logan adding insult to Street's injuries as they try to figure out who killed shipping magnate Cyrus P. Wentworth. Wong's dogged and methodical ways finally help him nab both the culprits - when all the while you are looking for just one.

Humorous, fast-paced and intriguing, "Doomed to Die" is actually "Set to Thrill." Don't miss it!

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Thriller.......2006-07-28

This one kept me on the edge of my seat until the ending. And who knew that Boris Karloff looked so normal when he wasn't dressed up like Frankenstein! The movie is about a guy wrongly accuesed of murder who is sent to the electric chair. Karloff plays the private eye who has to find the real killer before he is exectued. I loved this movie!

Classic Karloff.......2006-05-22

After Dracula and Frankenstein first came out Bella Lugosi and Boris Karloff each had the studios beating down their doors to cast them in more films. Lugosi took every role offered him and it killed his career. Karloff, instead, chose his roles wisely and for that reason every film he did is a class. Doomed to Die is no exception - though it is not a horror movie. Instead it's a looked room mysteray (guy is found dead in a room that no one could get in or out of) and the point of the film is to figure out who killed him and how. Karloff brings a touch of humantity to the role that is very distinct from Frankenstein. The remastering of the film is top rate.

Thanks everybody at a2zcds. Keep them coming.......2006-05-03

"As a die-hard fan of Boris Karloff, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to view this fascinating murder mystery from the 40s. With vintage films having disappeared from movie houses and the television as well, it is very comforting to learn that a2zcds.com is preserving these Hollywood classics on DVD. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude. Thanks everybody at a2zcds. Keep them coming!"

Horror Classics Triple Feature, Vol. 3 (The Ape / Doomed to Die / The Fatal Hour)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Karloff triple feature.

Horror Classics Triple Feature, Vol. 3 (The Ape / Doomed to Die / The Fatal Hour)
Starring: Boris Karloff , Maris Wrixon , Gene O'Donnell (II) , Dorothy Vaughan , and Gertrude Hoffman
Director: William Nigh
Manufacturer: Rph Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

Excellent Karloff triple feature. .......2004-07-28

This a Boris Karloff Triple Feature DVD made by "Reel Values" studio. The two mystery/horror Detective Wong films included here have surprisingly good transfers, since it has not been restored. Each of the films included on this DVD will be explained in detail.
"Doomed to Die" is one of Boris Karloff's "Mr. Wong" films that he made for Monogram Studios. This a very exciting mystery involving the murder of a shipping businessman that has just lost his million dollar ship and the entire crew along with it. The climax is exciting, with Wong eventually solving the tight case. The digital transfer is probably the best on the DVD.
"The Fatal Hour" is another great entry in the "Mr. Wong" series. One of Boris Karloff's high ranking films. Mr. Wong is on the case when a police captain's relative is murdered. This is one of the most challenging cases for Wong and the audience to solve. Very gripping with a suitable video transfer.
"The Ape" is the worst print on the DVD. The picture quality is terrible, showing countless film dropouts, scratches, and grain. The film also "jumps" from one scene to another like a century old record. The movie itself however, is one of the best horror films I have seen. Boris Karloff gives a very fit performance as the evil doctor that kills townspeople for spinal fluid, using the skin of a dead gorilla for disguise. Even with the considerably lousy print, "The Ape" is still watchable, though I would prefer a better transfer.
The DVD is worth the price of the Detective Wong mystery films, but I recommended obtaining "The Ape" elsewhere. (I am not sure if there is a restoration.)
Overall a good buy.

Average customer rating:

Doomed To Die (Digitally Remastered)

Manufacturer: 60
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

Who Killed the shipping magnate Cyrus P. Wentworth? This is the question that leads Boris Karloff to return as famous detective Mr. Wong (his final appearance in this role).

Average customer rating:

Doomed To Die
Starring: Boris Karloff; Grant Withers; Marjorie Reynolds; Melvin Lang; William Stelling; Catherine Craig
Director: William Nigh
Manufacturer: Reel Enterprises
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000PDZRVY
Release Date: 2007-04-13

The Boris Karloff Collection: The Ape/The Terror/ Doomed To Die/Fatal Hour

Average customer rating:

a much better collection of karloff movies than a.m.c. offered and better transfers
Obscure Karloff

The Boris Karloff Collection: The Ape/The Terror/ Doomed To Die/Fatal Hour
Starring: Great Collections
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Bela Lugosi Collection (Murders in the Rue Morgue / The Black Cat / The Raven / The Invisible Ray / Black Friday)
The Boris Karloff Collection (Tower of London / The Black Castle / The Climax / The Strange Door / Night Key)
Hollywood's Legends of Horror Collection (Doctor X / The Return of Doctor X / Mad Love / The Devil Doll / Mark of the Vampire / The Mask of Fu Manchu)
Icons of Horror - Boris Karloff (The Boogie Man Will Get You/The Black Room/The Man They Could Not Hang/Before I Hang)
Hammer Horror Series (Brides of Dracula / Curse of the Werewolf / Phantom of the Opera (1962) / Paranoiac / Kiss of the Vampire / Nightmare / Night Creatures / Evil of Frankenstein)

ASIN: B0002IQL6W
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Customer Reviews:

a much better collection of karloff movies than a.m.c. offered and better transfers .......2006-04-26

this set of karloff movies is much better quality than the a.m.c. collection and the transfers are so much better than the other collections.not karloff at his best but still very entertaing and fun to watch.

Obscure Karloff.......2005-10-16

This has "The Ape" as the main Karloff thriller, a chiller if you buy someone in an ape suit as scary. The two Mr. Wong titles, are fun but hardly classsic Karloff. I bought this mainly for "The Terror" a Corman flick which has Karloff and a very young Jack Nicholson, an interesting movie if only for the bringing together of that director and these great actors. Worth it at the price & quality of the transfers are good.

Mr. Wong Mystery Collection [Doomed to Die / the Fatal Hour / the Mystery of Mr. Wong / Phantom of Chinatown] {{{Limited Edition Wooden Box}}}

Average customer rating:

Mr. Wong Mystery Collection [Doomed to Die / the Fatal Hour / the Mystery of Mr. Wong / Phantom of Chinatown] {{{Limited Edition Wooden Box}}}

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Mystery Movie Marathon Volume 1: 8 Movie Pack

Average customer rating:

Mystery Movie Marathon Volume 1: 8 Movie Pack

Manufacturer: RightNow Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

BONUS: Each movie comes with a portable-media friendly version that can be downloaded to your Apple iPod!
Eight feature films on four DVDs
Doomed to Die;Bulldog Drummonds Revenge;Sherlock Holmes: The Woman in Green;Eyes in the Night;Fog Island;Mystery Liner;The Mystery of Mr. Wong;The Mysterious Mr. Wong

ASIN: B000GW4E86

Product Description

The legends of Mystery are gathered here for you in this definitive DVD collection of some of the greatest Mystery classics to ever come out of Hollywood. This 8 DVD collection is sure to provide you with countless hours of entertainment. Volume 2 includes: Doomed to Die directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff; Bulldog Drummonds Revenge directed by Louis King and starring John Howard; Sherlock Holmes: The Woman in Green directed by Roy William Neill and starring Basil Rathbone; Eyes in the Night directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Donna Reed; Fog Island directed by Terry O. Morse and starring George Zucco; Mystery Liner directed by William Nigh and starring Noah Beery; The Mystery of Mr. Wong directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff; The Mysterious Mr. Wong directed by William Nigh and starring Bela Lugosi

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