ThiefHott Too much of everything

Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

SoTrumpBelieve Must See Movie...

Pluskylang Great Film overall

mark.waltz Warren William has stepped into the shoes previously worn by Melvyn Douglas and a rather miscast Francis Lederer in this saga of reformed jewel thief who has become the great American hero. He's framed for a jewel theft by an old foe (Ralph Morgan) and obviously there is something more going on than just revenge. He's caretaker to the pre-teen Virginia Weidler and keeps being stalked by flighty socialite Ida Lupino who just seems to be the cover model for the girl who can't say no. Morgan's involved with the gorgeous femme fatal Rita Hayworth who keeps involving William in her own part of the intrigue which gives several great bitchy scenes between her and Lupino. For her part, Ida is certainly a devoted companion, declaring "I don't want to be safe! I'd rather be with you!" when William becomes concerned about her safety.The highlight is a costume party where William steals the invitation sent to drunk Jack Norton, wearing a clock around his neck and coming as "midnight" (or in his case what it should be "last call"). A series of odd hats and other costumes makes this sequence deliciously funny with Lupino showing up having covered her face with a giant flower. Earlier, she had declared her shock upon walking in on William in the shower, telling his butler Jameson "Last time he took a shower, he wore his clothes! I wish he'd be more consistent!" Since Melvyn Douglas wasn't going to continue with the series as he should have with the second one, William is a perfect replacement, and would lead the series with mixed results into the mid 1940's. Lupino and Hayworth went on to much bigger things, but their interaction here is quite memorable. As a result, "Lone Wolf Spy Hunt" ends up being perhaps the best in the series, a very memorable programmer, and certainly a definite curiosity for the presence of these two beauties.

Michael O'Keefe "The Lone Wolf" character was invented by Louis Joseph Vance and came to life on the silver screen beginning in 1917. Many actors have portrayed him throughout the years; but Warren William will play the character in this Columbia picture. "The Lone Wolf" has been identified as Michael Lanyard, retired safe-cracker. Ralph Morgan plays and international spy that is anxious to force Lanyard to bust open a safe that contains plans of an anti-aircraft gun for the U.S. War Dept. When Lanyard refuses, he is set up to take the fall for the theft. The crooks only have half of the plans and still need "The Lone Wolf" to get what is missing.A beautiful brunette named Karen(Rita Hayworth)lures Michael to crack the scientist's safe to get the missing plans. But the wily Lanyard takes the plans and leaves a useless set of baby carriage blueprints for the bad guys to find. Ida Lupino plays Lanyard's girlfriend Val, that seems to be good for getting in the way. Her father happens to be a Senator(Brandon Tynan), who ends up with possession of part of the plans. It becomes a game of cat-and-mouse with each of the two halves of the top secret document. Peter Godfrey directs this fast paced 71 minute drama. Other players in the cast: Virginia Weidler, Don Beddoe, Tom Dugan and Leonard Carey.

Michael_Elliott Lone Wolf Spy Hunt, The (1939) *** (out of 4) The Lone Wolf made his film debut in 1917 but it wasn't until this film and Warren William stepped into the role that the character really took off. The former safecracker, Michael Lanyward, aka The Lone Wolf, has spies chasing him around Washington D.C., hoping that he'll help them get some government secrets dealing with an anti-aircraft gun. This is the first film I've seen of The Lone Wolf and it wasn't too bad of an experience. The film runs a fast paced 67-minutes and William is always worth watching. Ida Lupino steals the film as a woman who keeps hoping the Wolf will marry her. Some might find her annoying but that's part of her charm. Rita Hayworth plays the femme fatale with Ralph Morgan as a villain.

bkoganbing The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt marks the first appearance of Warren William as the dapper retired cracksman, Michael Lanyard who now occasionally assists the police instead of trying to evade them for a job he's committed.Yet in this film William is indeed trying to shake the cops because they think he's stolen some highly secret war plans. Actually the guy doing it not only wants to get the plans, but he wants to make sure he frames William for the job and goes to all kinds of lengths to make that come about.I'm surprised that Warren William lasted in the role of the Lone Wolf. No fault of his because he's as debonair and charming as the role calls for. But the film did get a bit silly at times. Ida Lupino is the dizzy daughter of a U.S. Senator and Virginia Weidler is William's daughter. Between the two of them and their crazy machinations, the Lone Wolf was lucky to get the case solved at all. I don't think it was an accident that Weidler's character was dropped in future Lone Wolf series films.The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt is also known as being an early film that Columbia used to showcase one of their new discoveries, Rita Hayworth. Rita plays the moll of the leader of the spies and her beauty makes her stand out. No doubt she was going to be a star.