The Man From Cairo is a 1953 film directed by Ray Enright from a script by Eugene Ling, Philip Stevenson and Janet Stevenson. It's Volume 4 of the Forgotten Noir series from Kit Parker Films and VCI. This disc has two movies on it that were originally produced by Robert Lippert Pictures. It was an Italian co-production with location shooting in Algiers and studio shooting at Palatine Studios in Rome Italy. It was the last film for Ray Enright, he directed over 70 films but I can't remember seeing any others except for Alibi Ike, a Joe E Brown comedy.
George Raft is the main star, he's an ex-serviceman traveling to Algiers who get caught up in the recovery of a gold heist from WW2. There's plenty of backstabbing and murder as people move in on the gold. It's not a bad movie but George is hardly an interesting guy in the role. I'd still watch it again but I like the second movie on the disc better.
Mask Of The Dragon is another Robert Lippert produced film. It came out in 1951 and was directed by Sam Newfield from a script by Orville H Hampton. Both men were terrifically prolific in their careers and they type of films they make are cheaply made and quickly shot. It's said MOTD was shot in 5 days. It's only 55 minutes long. I know I've seen many of their films and TV episodes.
Richard Travis is detective, his partner got called up to service in Korea, now the guy is heading for home. Before he leaves Korea he makes a deal with a Chinese shop keeper to bring back a dragon statue. He'll be paid handsomely to bypass the shipping restrictions because of the war. He gets home and is murdered by Sid Melton and Karl "Killer" Davis. Sid dresses up in Chinese garb and makeup and acts as the barker for a Chinese shop owned by the Chinese guy played by Jack Reitzen. Only Charles Iwamoto is really Asian, he plays the villains judo expert.
Lyle Talbot plays the police Lieutenant on the case and he tells Richard to leave it to the police but Richard doesn't. There's some stabbing, some fighting, some romance and a visit to a TV station.That was kind of fun. It's not a great film or anything, it's barely average but it has some goofy stuff that made me laugh. I'd watch it again. There's a commentary by Joel Blumberg that packs more facts per minute than most commentaries. There are a few other extras on the disc, George Raft Bio, Photo Gallery, Ad Gallery, Trailers and Star Bios.
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