The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date

Michael Lanyard, aka The Lone Wolf is elated when he manages to complete his Cuban stamp collection at a shop in Havana, on his way to The Airport, he encounters a young woman named Patricia Lawrence, and offers to help her with a sizeable problem.

Not my favourite Lone Wolf film, but still a watchable film, Warren William is intensely watchable and good fun, and he does make it pretty enjoyable.

There is a lot going on, possibly too much, it seems to rush excitedly into one direction, pause, then veer off on another strand, stamps, kidnap, ransom, it's a bit too much at times.

I've enjoyed each of The Lone Wolf mysteries, and all of them so far have had a nice balance of comedy and mystery, I would suggest that this one is a little more balanced towards the humorous side, some of it works, some of it is a little too much, the mystery takes something of a back seat.

Eric Blore, Frances Robinson, Jed Prouty and Thurston Hall are all very good.

6/10.

The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date (1940)

** (out of 4)

Michael Lanyard (Warren William), aka The Lone Wolf, is in Havana trying to complete his stamp collection when he runs into a woman (Frances Robinson) who needs his help since her fiancé was convicted of a murder he didn't commit. That's the basic storyline here but it must be noted that there are at least four other stories going on as well and it really doesn't take too long to get confused on what's happening and then once you notice the screenplay isn't going to bother sorting any of it out, it's easy to just turn your brain off and get bored with the film. THE LONE WOLF KEEPS A DATE has a charming title and a good lead performance but that's pretty much all. I'm really confused as to what the film was trying to do unless there was some major studio editing going on before the thing was released. I say that because the actual mystery in the story seems to take a backseat to some silly comedy but what's most confusing is the way that so many subplots are thrown at us and for no apparent reason. Eric Blore as Jamison, Thurston Hall as Inspector Crane and Jed Prouty as Captain Moon are in charge of the comedy and I will admit that some of the banter early on was funny but after a while this too dries up and you're left with a bunch of comedy with no laughs. As you'd expect, William has no problem with his part as he can play cool and laid back in his sleep. Robinson makes for a good female lead but the screenplay doesn't do much for her. Fans of the series might want to check it out but everyone else should just stay clear.

The Lone Wolf Keeps A Date must have had a few showings at the White House. After all in FDR the most important and prominent stamp collector there ever was happened to be the current resident.

Warren William and Eric Blore as The Lone Wolf and his factotum Jameson are back again and this film for a B picture is rather complicated in terms of plot. It also has more comedy in it as Warren William and Eric Blore look like they're having a great old time overacting outrageously. Catch William in the scene with chief villain Don Beddoe and henchmen.

The story involves The Lone Wolf's stolen stamp collection and the kidnapping of a millionaire in which once again the cops in the person of Thurston Hall and sidekick Fred Kelsey suspect William is involved in the plot when he's really trying to help.

You have to love Kelsey who came from the Keystone Police Academy as a graduate and who is the butt of everything. The Lone Wolf Keeps A Date will give you some suspense and tickle your funny bone even more than most in the series.

THE LONE WOLF KEEPS A DATE is one of the more lively instalments of the series, and one I found largely enjoyable, if familiar. The story is set in Cuba, where our hero is somewhat bizarrely trying to complete his stamp collection (hey, we all need our hobbies). While there he encounters the usual young damsel in distress who complains of a partner wrongfully accused of a murder, so the Wolf investigates and comes up against the usual thugs. This one has a lot of amusing interludes with the Wolf's manservant, plus some fun fight scenes. I think the scene in which he deliberately scatters the stamp collection is a highlight here.

Michael Lanyard,(Warren William) as the Lone Wolf has his hands full in this series trying to come to the aid of a very pretty young gal named Patricia Lawerence,(Frances Robinson). Michael Lanyard has his valuable stamp collection worth 100,000 dollars stolen and also gets involved with a kidnapping. Lanyard always keeps trying to leave clues to his whereabouts to his sidekick, Jamison,(Eric Blore) and Patricia who ride on boats and yachts on the waters of California. Inspector Crane, (Thurston Hall) is constantly tying to catch the Lone Wolf along with plenty of slapstick comedy and plenty of laughs. Jamison wore very nice clothes in this film and even out shined the Lone Wolf in his outfits. Enjoy a great 1940 Classic.