I really can’t figure out how these specific titles were selected, but I’m not going to complain about the opportunity for us to get our hands on a little more Warren William. New to the Warner Archives collection of Made to Order DVD’s are Counter-Espionage (1942) and Passport to Suez (1943), two of Warren William’s later turns as The Lone Wolf.
I don’t know if the other seven Warren William as The Lone Wolf titles are coming soon or not, but we’re probably lucky to have these as they’re two of the titles Warner is releasing as part of their deal with Sony Pictures’ “Screen Classics by Request” series.
Here’s the scoop on the two new titles direct from the Warner Archives’ website:
Counter-Espionage (1942)
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.
Passport to Suez (1943)
In his ninth and last appearance as retired jewel thief Michael Lanyard—aka The Lone Wolf—the peerless Warren William again finds himself overseas helping to battle the Third Reich. This time, he and loyal valet Jamison (the priceless Eric Blore) arrive in Egypt, where Lanyard is promptly blackmailed into stealing vital documents that the Nazis need. How he gets out of this mess makes for a terrific combination of action, suspense and humor, with the bonus of a pre-Detour Ann Savage as the femme fatale. The cast also includes such beloved character actors as Sheldon Leonard, Lloyd Bridges, Gavin Muir, Jay Novello and Sig Arno, plus it’s the very first American film directed by the illustrious Andre DeToth (House of Wax). Newly remastered.
Each of the new Lone Wolf DVD’s retails on the Warner Archives site for $19.95 – Here’s a(n affiliate) link to a coupon I see their currently offering:
Take $5 off orders of $50 or more at WBshop.com! Shop Now!
Hey gang, it’s two more Warren William titles than were available yesterday!
Available on Amazon for just $2.99 -
I don’t think I remember “Counter Espionage”, but I’m crazy about “Passport to Suez”. I’ve been lonely for the Lone Wolf. This is good news.
Patricia, I’m overdue for a Lone Wolf marathon myself, they do start to run together some after a couple of years. Honestly I find them just about all equally as good and equally as enjoyable as long as the main cast members are included … which they are in these two.
These two Lone Wolf titles (and no others) have been available for a number of years from Amazon for download or streaming viewing. I hope that doesn’t mean they are the only ones Sony means to release to the public in disc form! I am very glad to have them, however, and (oops) had already ordered my copies before you posted your affiliate link.
Don’t worry about the affiliate link, Jeffers, I just hope you found the five bucks off elsewhere!
Haven’t seen the Lone Wolf films, but they are obviously a must-order for WW fans – but why can’t Warner Archives release all the titles in 1 set, the way it was done for the Sanders/Saint series and the Torchy Blane series?
@Grand Old Movies, the fact that they’re not releasing it as a set makes me fear that they don’t have rights on the others.
While faithfully keeping our fingers crossed that the other titles in the series are forthcoming in “official” releases, which we will absolutely support, let me mention for anyone consumed with impatient eagerness: unofficial Lone Wolf sets (including all of WW’s entries as well as Melvyn Douglas’s and Gerald Mohr’s) can be found at casablancadvds-dot-com and on sell-dot-com (circuitously described in hopes of not getting those sites caught up in an automated online sweep of unofficial sellers). I have had very satisfactory dealings with both sellers in question, but recommend the former particularly.
An FYI for those who watch TCM, they’re going to run a couple of other Lone Wolf entries in November, The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt, and The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady.
Just a note for those following this thread, TCM.com has listed 5 movies in the afternoon of December 2, Warren’s birthday. I make quick mention of them in a reply on another post.
I see that Warner Archives is similarly releasing just one of Chester Morris’s Boston Blackie titles, rather than a set (“Boston Blackie’s Chinese Venture,” the last in the series and, by my recollection, not too far from the least).
Whenever I find myself wishing that more Lone Wolf entries starring WW had been made, I remember how much better my opinion would be of the Blackie series if only about half them had been made. Columbia did a great job with both low-budget series, to a point, but the duration of their commitment even to low-budget quality control was clearly not unlimited!
Hi Jeffers, I’m going to do my best to cover the remainder of the Lone Wolf series throughout the rest of the year because TCM is going to be airing them one at a time on Saturday mornings. It’s probably been a couple of years since I’ve last done the run, but from what I remember they’re all pretty even in quality across the board.
Yes, the Lone Wolf series is of MUCH more consistent high quality.