The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt

Warren William is that ex-safecracker Michael Lanyard, The Lone Wolf, in "The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt." Criminals, led by Ralph Morgan, who are after some plans from the war department try to frame the retired crook for the theft.

What makes this film a cut above the usual B detective film is the terrific cast. Not just any B movie has Ida Lupino and pre-electrolysis Rita Hayworth as the female leads. They are not only excellent in their roles but beautiful, Hayworth being on the side of the bad guys and Lupino playing Lanyard's young girlfriend. He complains about being old enough to be her father, which in real life, was true. Here, the character is 35. This would undoubtedly get a laugh from today's audience. He was 45 and in today's youth-obsessed society, could pass for 60. Virginia Wiedler plays Lanyard's tomboy daughter, lending the same kind of terrific support she did in "The Philadelphia Story." Being a big fan of Warren William, I'll watch him in anything. The persona he used for many of these types of roles - relaxed, unflappable, charming, and funny - seems to hit the right notes, even though in silents, he played the villain. He's like a poor man's William Powell, but in his own way, every bit as good.

Lots of fun.

Once you've watched a few Warren William pictures you'll find yourself loving the guy. If that's you, this film is brilliant because it's essentially just him having a blast....plus there's Ida Lupino who is clearly a goddess.

Is this culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant? No, definitely not but it's great fun and a perfect example of those fast moving, comedy murder mystery type of things that these days make up about half our TV schedules. Had TV been around in the mid-thirties, this would have been on Saturday nights.

So what's the point of watching this? 1) it's predictable, it's corny but it's dripping with wonderful 1930s atmosphere. 2) Warren William fans (if you're not already, you will be) will love this. 3) It's got 21 year old Ida Lupino (already in her 22nd film) looking unbelievably stunning. Having left Twickenham Films for Hollywood a few years earlier, she was now starting to get lead roles in B pictures like this. She really shines here - you can see that she's destined for stardom. She's not just another pretty Hollywood face but, like she did in her early English films, she emotes real character and personality.

So do you want an action packed adventure where you don't have to engage your brain too much? Do you want a dashing hero (complete with a sarcastic butler), a secret sinister organisation with a dastardly plot, a pair of bumbling policemen, a classic femme fetale (Hayworth) and Ida (I think I'm in love with her) Lupino? This might just be what you're looking for.

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.

I dusted this one off after nearly 10 years to see if it was really as bad as the previous reviewers stated. I'm glad to say at least I didn't waste my 67 minutes precious time watching (and then passing comment on) rubbish but imho rather a good grade B screwball comedy.

Michael Lanyard (45 year old Warren William's first of nine films as the reformed cracksman) is being framed by an arch-enemy and his inept gang as part of a plot to steal some secret government plans. For most of the picture he also has to fend off the attentions of his jealous and lively girlfriend Val (21 yo Ida Lupino) and scatty stepdaughter Pat played by the always exuberant Virginia Weidler. Rita Hayworth played baddie Ralph Morgan's sexy sidekick, but seemed out of place, and I half expected Tom Dugan as the detective to launch into some wacky routine every time he appeared; thankfully he didn't. And at the surrealist party Lanyard was standing outside the upstairs window simply by means of an elaborate balcony with plenty of climbing plants on show – so no goof there (as stated in the goofs section) from the Columbia continuity department!

To fans of this film genre, a pleasure from start to finish, to others, why bother?

This was an interesting low budget film with Warren William,(Michael Lanyard) playing the Lone Wolf safe cracker who gets involved with secret weapons and their blueprints. Ida Lupino,(Val Carson) constantly follows everywhere he goes and even walks in while he is having a shower in his bathroom. Val knows that Michael likes plenty of women and she has her designs on him for marriage. There is plenty of laughs and Rita Hayworth,(Karen) plays the role of a sexy gal who tries to trap the Lone Wolf breaking into a safe and obtain these government secret weapons plans. Lupino and Hayworth were just starting out their careers on the silver screen and both became great movie stars and producers. Enjoy