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Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937) movie poster

Timeline

Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1937 · 67 mins · English
Directed by
Norman Foster
Starring
John Carradine, Peter Lorre, Sig Ruman, Sidney Blackmer, Victor Sen Yung, Nedda Harrigan

Mr. Moto travels to China in search of seven ancient scrolls that pinpoint Genghis Khan’s hidden tomb, rumored to contain vast treasure. He soon discovers a ruthless gang of thieves also hunting the scrolls. When the villains cross a line, the usually mild‑mannered detective transforms his antiquities hunt into a personal vendetta, determined to bring them to justice.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like Thank You, Mr. Moto
  5. 5 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

Thank You, Mr. Moto Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Caravan in the Gobi Desert Steals a Scroll

    A caravan sets out across the Gobi Desert, where a man sneaks into a tent intending to steal a valuable scroll. Moto is secretly awake and kills the thief to protect the scroll, signaling his cunning and discreet nature. The scene establishes Moto's involvement with valuable and dangerous artifacts from the very beginning.

    Where
    Gobi Desert
  2. Caravan Reaches Peiping and Moto is Searched

    The caravan arrives in Peiping, where Moto undergoes a police search. The authorities find the scroll he's carrying, but Moto swiftly seizes the opportunity to escape, showcasing his agility and resourcefulness. This move puts him on a collision course with other treasure hunters and villains.

    Where
    Peiping
  3. Moto Attends a Party Hosted by Colonel Tchernov

    Moto changes clothes and accepts an invitation to a social gathering hosted by Colonel Tchernov, which is in honor of American Eleanor Joyce. During the party, Moto observes Prince Chung leaving a room in private conversation with Tchernov, indicating covert dealings and the presence of valuable heirloom scrolls.

    Where
    Peiping
  4. Tchernov Attempts to Buy the Scrolls; Moto Kills Tchernov

    Tchernov tries to buy family heirloom scrolls from Prince Chung, but Chung refuses. Tchernov then draws a pistol, but Moto intervenes and kills Tchernov, staging his death to appear as a suicide. This act consolidates Moto's reputation as a dangerous and skilled man of action.

    Where
    Peiping
  5. Chung Reveals the Treasure Map in the Scrolls

    Prince Chung confides in Moto about the seven scrolls that contain directions to Genghis Khan's lost treasure and tomb. However, one scroll was lent to an exhibition and subsequently stolen, intensifying the quest for the treasure.

    Where
    Peiping
  6. Pereira Shows Joyce a Fake Scroll; Real Scroll is Stolen

    Joyce expresses interest in a scroll that turns out to be fake while shopping with Tom Nelson. Later, they see Moto confront Pereira and learn that Pereira has stolen the authentic scroll. Before Moto can gather more details, Pereira is murdered by a gunman fleeing the scene.

    Where
    Pereira's shop
  7. Moto's Apartment is Ransacked and He is Forced to Surrender the Scroll

    Moto returns to his apartment and finds it invaded by intruders. Schneider holds him hostage at gunpoint, coercing him into surrendering the scroll. An attempt to escape fails when Schneider shoots Moto with blanks, showing Moto's resilience and cunning in dangerous situations.

    Where
    Moto's apartment
  8. Confrontation with Madame Tchernov's Gang

    Moto follows Schneider to Madame Tchernov's location but is knocked out by Ivan, the butler. Joyce is taken hostage, leading to a tense standoff with Tchernov's gang, which reveals the extent of their involvement in the treasure hunt and illegal dealings.

    Where
    Madame Tchernov's residence
  9. Prince Chung is Forced to Reveal the Scrolls' Location; Commits Suicide

    Herr Koerger tortures Prince Chung to obtain the location of the scrolls, resulting in the prince's death after his mother is killed defending him. Nelson revives Moto, and they rush to aid Prince Chung, but arrive too late, and the prince takes his own life out of dishonor.

    Where
    Tchernov's residence
  10. Moto and Nelson Track the Criminals to a Junk

    Moto and Nelson follow the criminals aboard a junk, engaging in a tense chase that culminates in Moto revealing that one of the scrolls is a fake. He uses this to sow distrust among the villains and plan his next move for the treasure.

    Where
    River/junk area
  11. Moto Kills Koerger and Burns the Scrolls

    Moto confronts Koerger and warns him that the scroll he possesses is a fake. After deceiving Koerger with false information about the treasure, Moto kills him and destroys the scrolls, fulfilling his promise to Prince Chung and preventing the criminals from claiming the treasure.

    Where
    Junk and surrounding area
  12. Conclusion and Resolution

    With the scrolls burned, Moto ensures that Genghis Khan's treasure remains hidden. The events resolve with Joyce and Nelson witnessing Moto's final act of safeguarding the secret, emphasizing his role as a protector of the treasure's resting place.

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:15

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Timeline questions answered

Thank You, Mr. Moto Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Moto kill the thief trying to steal the scroll in the desert?

Moto kills the thief to protect the valuable scroll that belongs to Prince Chung's family. Although Moto is a soldier of fortune operating in morally gray areas, he chooses to safeguard this ancient artifact rather than let it fall into the wrong hands. This act establishes his role as a protector of historical treasures and shows his opposition to the criminal elements also hunting the scrolls.

  • moto
  • thief
  • scroll
  • Gobi Desert
  • protect artifact
Q2

Why does Moto kill Colonel Tchernov at his own party?

Moto kills Colonel Tchernov to prevent him from murdering Prince Chung, who has refused to sell his family heirloom scrolls. When Tchernov pulls a pistol on the prince, Moto intervenes and kills him, then stages the death to appear as suicide. This saves Prince Chung's life while allowing Moto to maintain his cover among the criminals hunting the scrolls.

  • moto
  • colonel tchernov
  • prince chung
  • kill
  • party
  • intervene
Q3

Why does Prince Chung commit suicide at the end?

Prince Chung commits suicide because he feels utterly dishonored after his mother is killed by Herr Koerger while trying to protect the family's secret. When Koerger forces Chung to reveal the scroll location by threatening his mother, and she is killed defending her family, Chung sees his honor as irrevocably stained. By the time Moto and Nelson arrive to save him, Chung has already taken his own life.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Prince Chung is established as a nobleman who values honor and refuses to sell his family heirlooms, hinting at the importance of his dignity.

  • prince chung
  • suicide
  • dishonor
  • mother
  • koerger
  • kill
Q4

Why does Moto burn the scrolls at the end of the movie?

Moto burns the remaining scrolls to prevent anyone from ever finding and desecrating Genghis Khan's sacred tomb. Although the treasure remains lost, Moto sees the scrolls as too dangerous to exist, they have already caused multiple murders and the deaths of Prince Chung and his mother. By destroying them, Moto fulfills his promise to protect the prince's memory and ensures the tomb remains undisturbed.

  • moto
  • burn scrolls
  • genghis khan
  • tomb
  • treasure
  • destroy
Q5

How did the scroll get stolen from the exhibition?

Pereira, the antique dealer, stole the scroll that was lent to an exhibition. When Moto confronts Pereira in his shop, he reveals that Pereira had stolen the authentic scroll from the exhibition. Before they can investigate further, Pereira is shot and killed by an unseen gunman working for the criminal gang.

  • scroll
  • stolen
  • exhibition
  • pereira
  • antique dealer
Q6

How does Moto escape from Schneider after being held hostage?

Moto escapes when Schneider shoots him with blanks, the gun appears to fire but Moto isn't seriously hurt. He quickly recovers, tracks Schneider to Madame Tchernov's residence, and confronts the gang. This demonstrates Moto's resourcefulness and ability to turn seemingly fatal situations to his advantage.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Moto is shown as clever and quick-thinking when he escapes the police search in Peiping.

  • moto
  • schneider
  • hostage
  • escape
  • blanks
  • gun
Q7

Why does Moto kill Herr Koerger on the junk?

Moto kills Herr Koerger to avenge Prince Chung and his mother, both of whom Koerger murdered. Additionally, Koerger is the leader of the criminal gang that has been pursuing the scrolls and endangering innocent people. Moto uses the fact that the scroll Koerger possesses is fake to manipulate the villains, then kills Koerger during the chaos that ensues.

Foreshadowing: The timeline establishes Koerger as the main antagonist orchestrating the theft of the scrolls and threatening Prince Chung's family.

  • moto
  • koerger
  • kill
  • junk
  • avenge
  • prince chung
Q8

Why does Moto tell Madame Tchernov that Koerger loves Joyce?

Moto manipulates Madame Tchernov by falsely telling her that Koerger is secretly in love with Joyce. This creates distrust and discord among the villains, which Moto exploits to gain the upper hand. The tactic works, and during the ensuing chaos, Moto is able to kill Koerger.

  • moto
  • madame tchernov
  • koerger
  • joyce
  • manipulate
  • divide
Q9

Why does Koerger kill Prince Chung's mother?

Koerger kills Chung's mother to force Prince Chung to reveal the location of the hidden scrolls. He tortures and threatens the family, and when Chung's mother attempts to defend her family and protect the secret, Koerger murders her. This brutal act drives Prince Chung to despair and eventual suicide.

  • koerger
  • prince chung
  • mother
  • kill
  • torture
  • scrolls location
Q10

Why does Moto give Schneider a fake scroll?

Moto gives Schneider a fake scroll to sow discord among the criminals and protect the real treasure. Earlier, Moto had obtained the authentic scroll from Pereira, and by passing off a fake to Schneider (who works for Koerger), he creates internal conflict among the villains while keeping the true map safe.

  • scroll
  • fake
  • schneider
  • moto
  • koerger
  • deceive
Q11

How does Moto escape from the police in Peiping?

When police search Moto and find the stolen scroll he's carrying, he uses the chaos of the moment to seize the scroll and escape. This demonstrates his quick thinking and agility, allowing him to avoid arrest and continue his pursuit of the treasure hunters.

  • moto
  • police
  • escape
  • peiping
  • scroll
  • chase
Q12

How does Moto make Tchernov's death look like suicide?

After killing Tchernov with a pistol, Moto stages the scene to appear as though Tchernov took his own life. Eleanor Joyce witnesses the scene, which makes it look like Tchernov was covering up secrets rather than being murdered. This clever deception allows Moto to eliminate a villain while avoiding immediate suspicion.

  • moto
  • tchernov
  • suicide
  • stage
  • disguise
  • murder

Movie threads

More Movies Like Thank You, Mr. Moto, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Thank You, Mr. Moto tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Pulpy Adventure Thrillers with a Moral Core like Thank You, Mr. Moto

Clever heroes turn personal quests into crusades against ruthless villains. If you liked the cunning detective work and vengeful quest in Thank You, Mr. Moto, explore more movies where clever heroes take on ruthless criminal gangs. These films blend treasure hunts, personal vendettas, and a resolute sense of justice, delivering fast-paced and tense adventures.

  • tense
  • adventurous
  • cunning
  • vengeful
  • perilous
  • resolute
  • Tone: tense, resolute
  • Pacing: fast, action-oriented
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a linear, action-driven path where a protagonist's professional goal is superceded by a moral imperative for revenge or justice. The plot escalates through a series of dangerous confrontations, deceptions, and narrow escapes, culminating in a decisive showdown where the hero's ingenuity and principles triumph.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific blend of intellectual and physical conflict, where the hero's intelligence is as important as their courage. They consistently deliver a tense atmosphere, fast pacing, and a focus on honor and retribution against villainous forces.

Movies about Clandestine Artifact Quests like Thank You, Mr. Moto

High-stakes races to find legendary treasures, shadowed by betrayal and danger. Fans of the treasure hunt for Genghis Khan's scrolls in Thank You, Mr. Moto will enjoy similar stories of clandestine quests for lost artifacts. These movies feature tense chases, cunning deception, and a bittersweet reflection on the cost of pursuing legendary treasures.

  • clandestine
  • adventurous
  • suspenseful
  • deceptive
  • historical
  • perilous
  • Tone: tense, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, suspenseful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is a linear pursuit of a MacGuffin—a map, scroll, or artifact—that holds immense value or power. The journey is complicated by rival factions, double-crosses, and the tragic consequences of greed. The ending often involves a sacrifice or loss that questions the very worth of the treasure.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central narrative engine: the artifact hunt. They create a specific mood of adventurous suspense, blending historical mystery with crime thriller elements. The shared focus on cultural heritage, honor among thieves, and the ultimate fate of the treasure creates a cohesive viewing experience.

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Every angle

Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Thank You, Mr. Moto in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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