The Notorious Lone Wolf (1946)

Director:

D. Ross Lederman

Writers:

William Bowers (story)
Martin Berkeley (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 February 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Mystery

Plot:

Michael Landyard finds himself accused of stealing a valuable gem, and must find the real thief in order to clear his name.

Plot Keywords:

Sapphire | Singer | Killer | Potentate | New York City

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Gerald Mohr	...	Michael Lanyard / The Lone Wolf
Janis Carter	...	Carla Winter
Eric Blore	...	Jameson
John Abbott	...	Lal Bara
William B. Davidson	...	Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
Don Beddoe	...	Stonley
Adele Roberts	...	Rita Hale
Mark Roberts	...	Dick Hale (as Robert Scott)
Peter Whitney	...	Harvey Beaumont
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fred Amsel	...	Room Clerk (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

64 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Movie Connections:

Follows The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940)

Welcome back Mike, the War didn't age you a bit

This was Gerald Mohr's first crack at Michael Lanyard the Lone Wolf, 2 sequels followed. His valet Jamison meets him ecstatically at the airport where he's returning to New York after 4 years away fighting the War, and with lots of "You haven't changed a bit" the film launches into 20 minutes of comedy. He brought his own style to the role played previously by William, a more youthful and ... amorous attitude coupled with his fine radio voice and very white teeth that worked fine by me.

Back for a few hours Lanyard is suspected of stealing a rather valuable sapphire from a museum, then on the run for murder - don't touch that gun, Doh! The plot was thickened with the original royal Indian owners also after the gem, only legally, and a continually thwarted love interest - after all he and his girlfriend had been waiting 4 years. The usual entertaining chase ensued, Lanyard/Jamison (trying to clear themselves) for Blackie/Runt and Crane for Farraday - Inspector Crane even used Farraday's police office in here. Rigging Jamison up with a walkie-talkie when he was disguised as one of the Indians was very contrived but worth watching for Blore's facial convulsions alone.

Well made albeit slightly farcical at times and competently acted - but ultimately throwaway of course - I've always enjoyed this one, it's certainly on a par with with all of the previous entries in the series.