The Lone Wolf in London (1947)

The penultimate film in the long running series.

Two diamonds disappear from a police vault, the police immediately suspect the former jewel thief Michael Lanyard - the Lone Wolf (Gerald Mohr) as they know he is in London, officially doing research for a book he is writing. 

Lanyard is recruited by a member of the aristocracy (Vernon Steele), who is hard up, to sell some jewels for him. Meanwhile, Lanyard is starting to suspect stage star Iris Chatham (Evelyn Ankers) is involved in the diamond robbery, though the police still stubbornly suspect him!

Mohr and Eric Blore as Jamison worked well as a team, though this was the last time they worked together in this series, and the eleventh and final time Blore played Lanyard's assistant. A decent film with the usual fast moving plot and various plot tangents and red herrings. Maybe we have seen it all before (many times) but it is still a good film.

Operation Manhunt (1954)

A dramatisation of the life of Soviet defector Igor Gouzenko who was a wanted man by the KGB after he defected to Canada, he also makes a (masked) appearance at the end of the film.

Gouzenko (Harry Townes) is living in hiding in Canada, but the Soviets have their plans ready to find and kill him. Agent Volov (Jacques Aubuchon) is tasked to pose as a wannabe defector in order to befriend Gouzenko so he can be drawn out of kiding...

After a slow start (the semi-documentary style doesn't help) this film develops in a compelling spy drama full of tension. There are also some surprises too especially in the final scenes. It can be a bit wooden at times but the story (with it's real-life basis) is excellent.

Passport to China (1960)

A rather tepid spy drama, as Hammer goes stereotype galore.

Don Benton (Richard Basehart) is a HK based businessman who becomes involved in a US government mission to retrieve secret information from the clutches of Red China rather reluctantly. Making his way to Canton, he tangles with Russian stereotype Kong (Eric Pohlmann) and tries to rescue agent Lola (Lisa Gastoni).

The film is an interesting view of 1960s Red China, including the war on sparrows (which backfired terribly) but the dated stereotypes are a bit jarring. The film is a bit too low effort though is watchable and the views of 60s HK is enjoyable.

Hearing Bernard Cribbins attempt a Portuguese accent is a joy.

Nazi Agent (1942)

Although heavy on propaganda and message, this is a good early wartime spy drama.

Otto (Conrad Veidt) is a respected book seller, and an emigre from the Nazi Germany he despies. However, his twin brother is very much on brand with the regime, indeed he has also come over to the USA but he is setting up a spy ring! He forces Otto to become part of his network but in a struggle Otto is forced to kill his brother. 

Otto takes the part of his brother, and now within the spy network begins his plan to bring it down from within. However, he also encounters fellow agent Kaaren (Anne Ayers) who has become disillusioned with the regime...

An enjoyable film with good performances and emotion leading to great sacrifice. The best part of the film though is definitely Veidt who plays twin brothers with dramatically different characters. Unfortunately this was one of his last films before his early untimely death.

Pickup on South Street (1953)

A tough and gritty Noir spy drama.

Candy (Jean Peters) is being tailed by the feds, they know she is carrying microfilm containing industrial secrets which the Communists want to get their hands on. 

However, pick pocket Skip (Richard Widmark) messes everything up by stealing Candy's purse on the underground! Now the search is on for the pick pocket, both by the spies and the feds...

A dark film, doomed people hanging on by their fingernails in the dark underbelly of the city. A very good film with a compelling storyline. Thelma Ritter plays a terrific role as a police informer, indeed well worth the Oscar nomination she got for it.