The Lone Wolf in London 1947
Directed by
Leslie Goodwins
Made by
Columbia Pictures
The Lone Wolf in London Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Lone Wolf in London (1947). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In 1947, Inspector Garvey Denis Greene of Scotland Yard suspects Michael Lanyard Gerald Mohr, the reformed jewel thief known as the Lone Wolf, of orchestrating the theft of the priceless diamonds called the Eyes of the Nile. Lanyard denies involvement, claiming he is in London with his butler Claudius Jamison Eric Blore to write a book on the jewels and that he was in New York when they were stolen.
Lanyard and Jamison are short of funds and when Ann Kelmscott Nancy Saunders, the daughter of wealthy gem collector Sir John Kelmscott, invites them to the family estate, they agree.
Sir John confides that he is in desperate need of money and asks Lanyard to arrange a confidential loan with part of his jewel collection as collateral.
Jamison tells his master that Lily, the maid Queenie Leonard told him the butler, Henry Robards, is heartbroken because Iris Chatham Evelyn Ankers has run off with Monty Beresford Alan Napier who financed the lavish stage production that launched Iris to stardom.
Back at his hotel, Lanyard receives a call from Iris, inviting him to the theater that night where she asks him to stay away from the Kelmscotts.
At her apartment, Robards begs her for a reconciliation, but she demands something first.
Lanyard decides to accept Kelmscott’s offer and arranges to meet Bruce Tang, a gem dealer the next morning.
Kelmscott gives Robards a packet of jewels to deliver to Lanyard but he steals the Eyes of the Nile for Iris.
David Woolerton Richard Fraser, Ann’s fiancé, asks him for a ride because he wants to spy on Lanyard.
At Tang’s shop, Inspector Garvey has followed Lanyard.
When Robards’ car rolls to a stop, the butler is dead behind the wheel, the jewels still in his possession but the Eyes of the Nile are gone.
Woolerton claims Robards pushed him out of the car on the outskirts, and said he suspects Lanyard was the murderer.
Lanyard thinks Kelmscott was being blackmailed by the thief who sold him the diamonds, and flees the police and proceeds to Iris’ apartment.
She has just persuaded Monty to get the diamonds from Lanyard.
At the theater, Lanyard discovers the diamonds are sewn into her mink coat but before he can leave her dressing room, Iris enters and admits that Robards had given her the diamonds.
While Lanyard phones Jamison, Iris sneaks out an open window and heads to the airport to catch a flight out of the country.
At the airport, Lanyard confronts Iris and turns her over to the waiting Garvey but Monty arrives, wielding a gun and declaring Iris planned the entire robbery and then killed Robards for the diamonds.
When Jamison brings Lily and Iris’ mink, Lanyard extracts the Eyes of the Nile from the coat’s linings, proving that Iris was the thief and murderer.
The Lone Wolf in London Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Lone Wolf in London (1947) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Inspector Garvey suspects Lanyard
In 1947, Inspector Garvey of Scotland Yard suspects Michael Lanyard, the reformed jewel thief known as the Lone Wolf, of the Eyes of the Nile theft. Lanyard denies involvement, claiming an alibi that he is in London with his butler Jamison writing a book and that he was in New York when the diamonds were stolen.
Invitation to the Kelmscott estate
Lanyard and Jamison, short of funds, are invited by Ann Kelmscott to the Kelmscott family estate. They decide to go, hoping Sir John Kelmscott might offer a confidential loan or a path to better finances.
Kelmscott asks for a confidential loan
Sir John confides his desperate money needs and asks Lanyard to arrange a confidential loan using part of his jewel collection as collateral. Lanyard weighs the risk and the potential payoff as he considers the arrangement.
Jamison relays Iris and Robards' heartbreak
Jamison informs Lanyard that Lily the maid said Henry Robards is heartbroken because Iris Chatham has run off with Monty Beresford, who financed Iris's stage career. This adds a personal motive layer to the unfolding intrigue. Lanyard senses deeper entanglements around Iris.
Iris invites Lanyard to the theater
Iris calls to invite Lanyard to the theater that night and asks him to stay away from the Kelmscott family. The request hints at Iris's involvement in the jewel plot and sets up a tense dynamic between them.
Lanyard plans to meet Tang the next morning
Lanyard decides to accept Kelmscott's offer and arranges to meet Bruce Tang, a gem dealer, the next morning to discuss terms. The meeting will determine whether the loan will be granted or the diamonds will change hands.
Robards steals the Eyes of the Nile for Iris
Kelmscott gives Robards a packet of jewels to deliver to Lanyard, but Robards steals the Eyes of the Nile for Iris. The theft immediately raises the stakes as the jewel goes missing and suspicion grows.
Woolerton shadows Lanyard
David Woolerton, Ann Kelmscott's fiancé, asks Lanyard for a ride because he wants to spy on him. This introduces an extra observer to the web of suspicion surrounding the theft.
Robards is dead; Eyes of the Nile missing
At Bruce Tang's shop, Inspector Garvey has followed Lanyard; Robards' car stops and Robards is found dead behind the wheel, with the Eyes of the Nile missing. The pursuit intensifies as the trail goes cold and hot at once.
Woolerton accuses Lanyard of murder
Woolerton claims Robards pushed him from the car and expresses suspicion that Lanyard murdered Robards. The accusation cements the danger surrounding Lanyard and escalates the manhunt.
Lanyard flees to Iris' apartment
Convinced Kelmscott is being blackmailed, Lanyard flees from the police and goes to Iris' apartment, where Monty and Iris scheme around the stolen diamonds. Tension rises as pursuers close in.
Monty and Iris plan to flee; a struggle ensues
Lanyard and Monty struggle for control; Monty is subdued and Iris is prepared to flee with the Lone Wolf. The confrontation heightens the drama around the heist and the supposed mastermind.
The theatre confrontation and Iris's escape attempt
In Iris's dressing room at the theatre, Lanyard discovers the diamonds sewn into her mink coat. Iris admits Robards had given her the diamonds, and Lanyard phones Jamison as Iris slips out through an open window toward the airport.
Airport showdown reveals Iris's plan
At the airport, Lanyard confronts Iris; Monty arrives with a gun and accuses Iris of planning the robbery and killing Robards. The confrontation exposes Iris's true involvement in the scheme.
Eyes of the Nile recovered; Iris exposed
Jamison brings Lily and Iris's mink; Lanyard extracts the Eyes of the Nile from the coat's lining, proving Iris was the thief and murderer. The mystery resolves as the true culprit is unmasked.
The Lone Wolf in London Characters
Explore all characters from The Lone Wolf in London (1947). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Michael Lanyard (Gerald Mohr)
A charming, seemingly reformed jewel thief who insists he had nothing to do with the Eyes of the Nile theft. He moves with wit and poise, using careful planning to navigate suspicion and pursue clues that may clear him or reveal a deeper conspiracy. His loyalty to Jamison and his own self-interest drive much of the plot.
Claudius Augustus Lucius Jamison (Eric Blore)
Lanyard's loyal, perceptive butler who provides steady control of the household and relays crucial information. He pieces together Iris's machinations and moves the plot forward with practical observations. His devotion and discreet demeanor anchor the story's domestic side.
Iris Chatham (Evelyn Ankers)
A former starlet who masterminds the caper, using charm and ruthlessness to manipulate those around her. She plays a double game, presenting herself as avoiding trouble while secretly orchestrating the theft. Ultimately she is revealed as the thief and the killer behind the scheme.
Ann Klemscott (Nancy Saunders)
Daughter of a wealthy gem collector, she is drawn into the loan arrangement and the diamond plot through her family's finances and social circle. Her engagement to David Woolerton adds emotional and financial stakes to the drama. She moves between involvement and concern as events unfold.
Monty Beresford (Alan Napier)
A suave financier who finances Iris's lavish life and stage career, and who has past romantic ties with Iris. He becomes a rival to Lanyard in the race to secure the diamonds, using wealth and influence to influence others. His motives are murky, veering between affection and self-preservation.
Lily, Kelmscott's Maid (Queenie Leonard)
A Kelmscott household maid who acts as an informant, relaying gossip and key details to Jamison. Her glimpses into Robards's heartbreak and the household dynamics help move the plot forward. She underscores the web of relationships that criminals exploit.
David Woolerton (Richard Fraser)
Ann's fiancé who suspects Lanyard and seeks information, spurring him to spy on the thief. His involvement reflects the personal stakes of the diamond plot and the tension within the love triangle. He acts as a catalyst that accelerates the investigation and the reveal.
Detective Inspector Garvey (Denis Greene)
A Scotland Yard inspector pursuing Lanyard and the Eyes of the Nile theft. He follows leads, pieces together clues, and confronts Iris as the truth emerges. His persistence heightens the tension between law and crime and frames the final confrontation.
The Lone Wolf in London Settings
Learn where and when The Lone Wolf in London (1947) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
1947
Set in the immediate postwar period, the narrative unfolds in 1947, a time of recovery and noir-inflected elegance. The era's social dynamics—wealth, reputation, and intrigue—drive the characters' motives and decisions. The plot leans into the contrasts of opulence and desperation typical of mid-1940s thrillers.
Location
London, New York, Kelmscott Estate, Iris's Theater, Iris's Apartment, Airport
The story moves between London and New York, with key action unfolding at Sir John Kelmscott's estate and Iris's theater. London serves as the hub for the investigation and social intrigue, while New York represents the lure of the valuable Eyes of the Nile. The film uses glamorous but shadowy settings to heighten the sense of crime within high society.
The Lone Wolf in London Themes
Discover the main themes in The Lone Wolf in London (1947). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🕵️♂️
Deception and Duality
Identity and motive are slippery as characters mask true intentions behind manners and alibis. Lanyard proclaims innocence while Iris orchestrates the crime, blurring lines between lover, ally, and adversary. The plot relies on misdirection, mistaken beliefs, and shifting loyalties to advance the chase. Trust is repeatedly betrayed as the true loyalties of friends and lovers come into question.
💎
Gems and Greed
The Eyes of the Nile symbolize the all-consuming lure of wealth and status. The theft binds a circle of aristocrats, intermediaries, and investigators in a web of manipulation and risk. Greed drives dangerous decisions and reshapes relationships, ultimately leading to a dramatic confrontation. The resolution clarifies motives and reveals the thief.
🎭
Theatre of Crime
Iris Chatham's theatre world provides a glittering cover for criminal activity, where stage personas mask real intentions. The film uses performance and glamour to distract from the criminal undercurrents at play. The setting of the theater underscores how appearances can deceive and how fame can be leveraged for scheming. The finale exposes the true nature of the plot behind the bright lights.
The Lone Wolf in London Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Lone Wolf in London (1947). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the fog‑laden streets of post‑war London, the city pulses with a blend of aristocratic glamour and lingering wartime shadows. Amidst this elegant chaos moves Michael Lanyard, the charismatic former jewel thief who now goes by the moniker the Lone Wolf. His reputation for smooth talking and flawless improvisation precedes him, casting him as both a relic of high‑stakes heists and a gentleman‑thief with a taste for refined society. The film settles into a world where polished ballroom conversations can hide the faintest whisper of danger, and every polished surface reflects a potential secret.
Lanyard shares his modest London flat with his loyal butler Claudius Jamison, whose dry wit and steadfast support provide a steady anchor for the rogue‑turned‑author. When London’s elite suspect Lanyard of pilfering two priceless diamonds—though they possess no concrete evidence—the stakes rise, and the city’s law enforcement circles him like a curious hawk. Into this tense atmosphere steps a nobleman, desperate for a discreet financial maneuver to appease a relentless blackmailer, and he turns to Lanyard’s uncanny ability to navigate both the legal and illegal realms. The request drags the Lone Wolf deeper into a web of high‑society intrigue, where money, reputation, and hidden motives intertwine.
Against the backdrop of glittering theater marquees and smoky backstage corridors, a celebrated stage star looms as a captivating yet enigmatic figure. Lanyard’s effortless charm with women adds a playful, almost mischievous layer to his investigations, turning each encounter into a dance of wit and allure. As the plot unfolds, the audience is drawn into a cat‑and‑mouse chase through lavish parties, clandestine meetings, and the shimmering world of show business, where the Lone Wolf must rely on his legendary poise and razor‑sharp intuition to untangle the mystery that lies just beneath the surface.
Movies with Similar Twists and Themes
Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.