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Where to Watch

The Chinatown Mystery

1928 Directed by J.P. McGowan

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.

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Joe Bonomo

Joe Bonomo

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Joe Masters

Ruth Hiatt

Ruth Hiatt

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Sally Warren, Chemist

Francis Ford

Francis Ford

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The Sphinx

George Chesebro

George Chesebro

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Sheldon Lewis

Sheldon Lewis

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Ernest Shields

Ernest Shields

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Jack Richardson

Jack Richardson

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200 minutes

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