The Chinatown Mystery (1928)
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.
Director: J.P. McGowan
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Joe Bonomo as Joe Masters |
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Ruth Hiatt as Sally Warren, Chemist |
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Francis Ford as The Sphinx |
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George Chesebro as |
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Sheldon Lewis as |
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Ernest Shields as |
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Jack Richardson as |
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Grace Cunard as |
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Rosemary Theby as |
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Peggy O'Day as |
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Duke Worne as |
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Helen Gibson as |
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Paul Malvern as |
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Al Baffert as Crook |
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J.P. McGowan as |
| Writing | Francis Ford | Writer |
| Directing | J.P. McGowan | Director |
