The Lone Wolf, Michael Lanyard (Gerald Mohr) is uncharacteristically low on dough, so decides to accept an offer from Sir John Klemscott (Vernon Steele) to put part of his jewel collection in hock for a sum of ten thousand pounds. Sir John apparently didn't think this out far enough because he didn't leave himself any leverage to get his baubles back, but that's neither here nor there because that's not the way the story played out.Nor was it ever established how Sir John wound up with the 'Eyes of the Nile' in his office safe in the first place. They were obviously stolen from Scotland Yard's safekeeping, but how did he ever manage that? Maybe one's not supposed to think about all that with all the other characters introduced into the story to keep one guessing. Of course for Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Garvey (Denis Green), the jewel theft is pretty much an open and shut case - it has to be the Lone Wolf, even though he just arrived in the country the same day.Keep an eye on Lanyard when he makes his way down the phone book list looking for a favorite fence; he reads off 'Tandler, Tanaka, and Tang', but those names aren't in alphabetical order. Maybe the Brits have a different kind of phone book.The more I think about it, the movie really did have quite a few silly elements. Who lays out a phone cord half way across a floor to make it convenient for Lanyard to kick it out of Woolerton's (Richard Fraser) hand as he tries to dial the police? And in the wrap up to the story, Lanyard explains that it was Iris Chatham (Evelyn Ankers) who killed her ex-husband Robards, but how could she have done that while Woolerton was tailing him all day? The best though had to be the way Robards successfully maneuvered his auto to a stop when he was already dead.Say, I don't know about you, but I think that The Lone Wolf had us all by the jewels.

Whatever actor played The Lone Wolf be it Melvyn Douglas, Warren William, Ron Randell or in this case Gerald Mohr, he cannot escape his reputation as a thief. No amount of good deeds done seems to prove this guy is no longer on the dark side.Case in point while visiting London, Scotland Yard suspects Mohr of stealing those two matching diamonds, the Stars of the Nile. We know the butler didn't do it, he had them but Tom Stevenson was murdered and The Lone Wolf is implicated in that as well even though Scotland Yard was shadowing him. Not to mention the beautiful musical comedy star Evelyn Ankers and her maid Queenie Leonard as Ankers has her producer Alan Napier under her thumb. Never mind it all gets straightened out in the end.The Lone Wolf In London saw the farewell appearance of Eric Blore as Michael Lanyard's invaluable valet Jameson. Blore really added something to this series, in many ways he kept his wits about him even better than his boss. Note the palming off of a jewel case back and forth right under the nose of the Scotland Yard cops who are searching both of them in broad daylight. Sheer genius.This was a nice passable B film that did no harm to the reputations of its cast.

You really have to feel sorry for poor old Gerald Mohr in being cast as Michael Lanyard ("The Lone Wolf"). Sure, his three Lone Wolf films were entertaining, but because the role had been played so long and so well by Warren William, many fans (including myself) longed for him in this film. Why Columbia did not use William is unknown to me--as William made movies through 1947 before dying of cancer and Mohr began making the films in 1946. Perhaps William was too sick for the strain of the role or maybe the studio was stupid in thinking the public would embrace another actor or perhaps William himself just wanted a change. So at the onset, I was NOT favorably disposed towards the film but at least it did still have Eric Blore--William's old side-kick.In this film we find Lanyard in London doing some research for a book on gems. Uncharacteristically, though, he is practically broke--something you would not expect as his character always seemed to be independently wealthy. And when, not surprisingly, some gems are stolen, the stupid British police automatically assume Lanyard did it and ignore all other possible leads. This is nothing new--something that has occurred in many previous Wolf AND Boston Blackie films. In fact, without William's charm and style, this film seems more like a Blackie film than anything else. That is, a Blackie film with Eric Blore.So overall, the film is a bit flat and offers nothing uniquely good but it's also inoffensive and palatable--sort of like white rice. Worth a look, but don't assume most other Lone Wolf films are of similar quality and possessing so little energy or charm.

The reformed internationally famed jewel thief is back in the guise of GERALD MOHR, replacing the late WARREN WILLIAM. He looks comfortable in the role.The story, of course, starts with a jewel robbery and he, once again, is the prime suspect. The name "Michael Lanyard" is mentioned at least a dozen times in the opening scene which seems to be overdoing the explanatory exposition to the nth degree.But the film itself is nicely paced, well written and smoothly acted by the entire case. ERIC BLORE, who describes himself as "a gentleman's gentleman or a cad's cad" is on hand again for plenty of comedy relief. EVELYN ANKERS is a woman of mystery (as usual), adding to the intrigue of the plot, which has the Lone Wolf solving a theft from the Scotland Yard safe. Seems the Lone Wolf is in need of cash, having spent all his money on research for his new book about famous jewels, especially a pair called The Eyes of the Nile. He's not the only character in need of heavy cash, thus the set-up for some stolen jewels that are the center of the mystery.As usual, the plot unwinds at a fast pace and all the loose ends are tied up during the last five minutes.Summing up: Nothing special, but not bad as far as these series go.