The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date

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.

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 so heavily pulled down by too many sub-plots that it becomes exceedingly hard to follow as it goes on and on with devious twists and turns. Suffice it to say, you can watch it at your own discomfort.

He's in Havana this time, coming to the aid of a damsel in distress (Frances Robinson) and keeping one step ahead of the police with his valet ERIC BLORE, again on hand to supply the comic interest.

THURSTON HALL is enjoyable as a harried police inspector and there are plenty of references to the dumb cops in his employ. None of them are clever enough to deal with WARREN WILLIAMS as The Lone Wolf.

It chugs along at a fast pace with, as Williams says, "no time for explanations." BRUCE BENNETT is the heroine's boyfriend, mixed up somehow in a kidnapping plot and needing help from The Wolf, who's mixed up in something about a valuable stamp collection. Bennett has only one brief scene in jail at the beginning.

Whatever humor there is comes from police bungling and the antics of Eric Blore as Williams' faithful valet--and always a welcome presence in these things.

Summing up: A jumbled trifle easily forgotten and not one of the best in the series.

"Lanyard" (Warren William) and honourable factotum "Jamison" (Eric Blore) are in Havana on the trail of a rare stamp when they encounter "Patricia" (Frances Robinson) who wants to pinch their cab for an urgent trip to the airport. Charmed, the "Lone Wolf" agrees but after a few moments wishes he hadn't. It turns out that she is embroiled in a ransom plot that involves a kidnapped businessman, $100,000 and her poor old fiancé "Scotty" (Bruce Bennett) who is likely to fry if they don't get to the truth and free the victim in time. Of course, as soon as he is seen anywhere near the investigation, "Insp. Crane" (Thurston Hall) and the hapless "Dickens" (Fred Kelsey) are back on his case hoping and praying that this might be the time they finally manage to apprehend him. It's not the best story here, it's a bit thin and a little too contrived, but there are plenty of amiable one-liners and some fun with boats that sees "Dickens" getting a well deserved ducking once or twice.