The Chinatown Mystery (1928)
The Chinatown Mystery (1928), directed by J.P. McGowan, starring Joe Bonomo and Ruth Hiatt.
score
Synopsis
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.
- J.P. McGowanDirector
- Francis FordWriter
Trivia
- It premiered on September 1, 1928, a Saturday.
- It runs 3h20 — well over the usual two hours.
- This film's quiz has 10 questions — enough to play more than once without repeats.
Production
- StudiosTrem Carr Pictures
- CountriesUnited States
- LanguagesNo Language
- StatusReleased
Cast
-
Joe Bonomo
Joe Masters -
Ruth Hiatt
Sally Warren, Chemist -
Francis Ford
The Sphinx -
George Chesebro
-
Sheldon Lewis
-
Ernest Shields
-
Jack Richardson
-
Grace Cunard
-
Rosemary Theby
-
Peggy O'Day
- Duke Worne
-
Helen Gibson
- Paul Malvern
- Al Baffert Crook
-
J.P. McGowan
Quiz about this movie
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Tags
Crew
- J.P. McGowan Director
- Francis Ford Writer
Questions about this film
What is The Chinatown Mystery about?
The Chinatown Mystery: 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 fou…
Who directed The Chinatown Mystery?
The Chinatown Mystery was directed by J.P. McGowan in 1928.
Who stars in The Chinatown Mystery?
The cast of The Chinatown Mystery includes Joe Bonomo, Ruth Hiatt, Francis Ford, George Chesebro and Sheldon Lewis.
How long is The Chinatown Mystery?
The Chinatown Mystery runs for 200 minutes, or 3h20.
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Page updated on 09/15/2026.
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