Warren William is back at the Lone Wolf, and like a bad penny, he seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, at least for rumbling police chief Thurston Hall, in Cuba on business and displeased to run into the constant thorn in his side. he is actually there to complete his Cuban stamp book, and having just gotten the last time that he needed find himself involved in the adventures and intrigue of a mysterious young woman, Frances Robinson, which leads him on a chase through all of Havana, and into all sorts of trouble that he hadn't quite expected.
The plot of the movie really doesn't matter much, because it is how it is executed that makes the film so entertaining. Of course his old phone call and Fred Kelsey are in Cuba, and along with his devoted assistant Eric Blore, they assist the young Ms. Robinson. It is ironic that the plot explodes as William, floor and Robinson are on their way to the airport but unfortunately they are never able to leave the island. The film moves at breakneck speed with witty dialogue, plenty of action and great character performances including Jed Prouty. There are actually very few Hispanic characters seeing, and the cabby who is driving William to the airstrip happens to be black! This isn't quite a realistic set up, but presented so entertaining Lee, it remains an enjoyable entry in the series.
I have both watched many of the 19 thirties and forties mystery series, and other than the Thin Man series, the Lone Wolf is the one which holds up the best. Columbia's Whistler series, holds up on simply being original in each entry, more anthology than a continuation. Others, like the same, the Falcon, Nick Carter, Boston Blackie and the single entry series of various other detectives involved in comic situation surrounding crime weren't always so entertainingly presented. Thanks to Williams consistent fresh performance, the films are truly enjoyable because it seems like the cast is simply just having fun. So be patient with flaws in the plot, holes in reality and every other issue that could otherwise make you roll your eyes.
The plot of the movie really doesn't matter much, because it is how it is executed that makes the film so entertaining. Of course his old phone call and Fred Kelsey are in Cuba, and along with his devoted assistant Eric Blore, they assist the young Ms. Robinson. It is ironic that the plot explodes as William, floor and Robinson are on their way to the airport but unfortunately they are never able to leave the island. The film moves at breakneck speed with witty dialogue, plenty of action and great character performances including Jed Prouty. There are actually very few Hispanic characters seeing, and the cabby who is driving William to the airstrip happens to be black! This isn't quite a realistic set up, but presented so entertaining Lee, it remains an enjoyable entry in the series.
I have both watched many of the 19 thirties and forties mystery series, and other than the Thin Man series, the Lone Wolf is the one which holds up the best. Columbia's Whistler series, holds up on simply being original in each entry, more anthology than a continuation. Others, like the same, the Falcon, Nick Carter, Boston Blackie and the single entry series of various other detectives involved in comic situation surrounding crime weren't always so entertainingly presented. Thanks to Williams consistent fresh performance, the films are truly enjoyable because it seems like the cast is simply just having fun. So be patient with flaws in the plot, holes in reality and every other issue that could otherwise make you roll your eyes.