Counter-Espionage R

America's entry into World War II affected almost everybody, including retired jewel thief Michael Lanyard, aka The Lone Wolf. After numerous light-hearted adventures, this thrilling entry dials down the comedy somewhat as Lanyard -- along with his faithful valet, Jamison - finds himself in bomb-ravaged London, having to track down Nazi agents as well clear himself for yet another crime he didn't commit. The incomparable Warren William and Eric Blore are as delightful as ever, while the dumb cop roles are taken over by Thurston Hall and Fred Kelsey. Also on hand are Hillary Brooke, Forrest Tucker, Billy Bevan and a young Lloyd Bridges, all under the sturdy direction of the renowned Edward Dmytryk (The Caine Mutiny). Newly remastered.

COUNTER-ESPIONAGE was the ninth film in Columbia's "Lone Wolf" series, based on characters created by Louis Joseph Vance. Warren William stars as Michael Lanyard, the suave ex-criminal known as The Lone Wolf. This time around, Lanyard is in London during the Blitz, where he finds himself up to his neck in Nazi spies. COUNTER-ESPIONAGE was one of several mid-1940s Columbia "series" films which dropped the name of the series from the title in hopes of attracting new audiences. Other examples of this trend include the "Blondie" episode IT'S A GREAT LIFE (43) and the "Boston Blackie" opus THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME (43).