Warren William has stepped into the shoes previously worn by Melvyn Douglas and a rather miscast Francis Lederer in this saga of reformed jewel thief who has become the great American hero. He's framed for a jewel theft by an old foe (Ralph Morgan) and obviously there is something more going on than just revenge. He's caretaker to the pre-teen Virginia Weidler and keeps being stalked by flighty socialite Ida Lupino who just seems to be the cover model for the girl who can't say no. Morgan's involved with the gorgeous femme fatal Rita Hayworth who keeps involving William in her own part of the intrigue which gives several great bitchy scenes between her and Lupino. For her part, Ida is certainly a devoted companion, declaring "I don't want to be safe! I'd rather be with you!" when William becomes concerned about her safety.
The highlight is a costume party where William steals the invitation sent to drunk Jack Norton, wearing a clock around his neck and coming as "midnight" (or in his case what it should be "last call"). A series of odd hats and other costumes makes this sequence deliciously funny with Lupino showing up having covered her face with a giant flower. Earlier, she had declared her shock upon walking in on William in the shower, telling his butler Jameson "Last time he took a shower, he wore his clothes! I wish he'd be more consistent!" Since Melvyn Douglas wasn't going to continue with the series as he should have with the second one, William is a perfect replacement, and would lead the series with mixed results into the mid 1940's. Lupino and Hayworth went on to much bigger things, but their interaction here is quite memorable. As a result, "Lone Wolf Spy Hunt" ends up being perhaps the best in the series, a very memorable programmer, and certainly a definite curiosity for the presence of these two beauties.
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