Captured in Chinatown (DVD)

Chinatown's prominent Wong and Ling families, embroiled in a violent Tong War for decades, agree to end hostilities after young lovers from the respective clans become engaged. When a priceless jade necklace - the Wongs' peace offering - is stolen by a clever thief named Zamboni, the Lings are blamed and the truce is called off. Newspaper reporters Bob Martin and Ann Parker suspect third-party interference and begin an investigation, only to find themselves imperiled by crooks and Chinese alike.

A straightforward Poverty Row melodrama mixed from tried-and-true story elements, Captured in Chinatown reflects the experience and expertise of pioneering director Elmer Clifton, whose facile approach to cinematic storytelling distinguished even the cheapest quickies he helmed. Generally credited with "discovering" silent-screen sexpot Clara Bow while directing her in 1922's Down to the Sea in Ships, Clifton brought out the best in modestly gifted performers and instinctively amplified the most marketable aspect of any film to which he was assigned. While not remembered as a particularly artistic director, he was a commercially successful one, and Captured in Chinatown ranks among his breeziest efforts of the early sound period.

• mystery
• thriller