Copyright 12 July 1967 by Harris Associates/Bavaria Atelier. New York opening at neighborhood theaters: 10 November 1967. U.S. release: 12 July 1967. U.K. release: 15 October 1967. Australian release: 15 February 1968. Running times: 107 minutes (US and Aust), 90 minutes (UK).
SYNOPSIS: Although the international jewel thief known as the Ace of Diamonds has long been in retirement, his protégé Jeff Hill — appropriately dubbed the Jack of Diamonds — is rapidly building a reputation equal to his mentor's. After stealing a fortune in jewels from the New York apartment of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jeff sets out to execute a robbery aboard a luxury liner. Although he encounters another cat burglar in one of the staterooms, he succeeds in escaping with the gems. Then, following the theft of Carroll Baker's jewels, Jeff flies to Munich and is visited by the Ace, who tries to persuade him to quit while he is still ahead of the game. But a chance meeting with a beautiful girl named Olga leads to Jeff's being introduced to the master thief of Europe, Nicolai. Even though he learns that Olga is the cat burglar he tussled with on the luxury liner, Jeff agrees to join forces with her and Nicolai in removing the fabled Zaharoff diamonds from an electronically-guarded bank vault in Paris. As the elaborate details of the crime are being worked out, Jeff cannot resist stealing the jewels of a third film star, Lilli Palmer. On the day of the Zaharoff job, however...
NOTES: Location scenes filmed in New York City, Paris, Genoa, Munich, and the Bavarian Alps. Interiors at Bavaria Studios, Munich.
COMMENT: A fairly exciting script, very capably acted by all concerned. A shame the comic elements were not played up more. At least one wisecrack is exceptionally hilarious, and the anti-climax itself is delicious; but generally the comedy is subdued in favor of the drama. In the less than inventive hands of director Don Taylor, the drama often seems too drearily self-conscious for true excitement. Taylor's pacing is too slow. Trimming the more heavy- handed passages by at least ten or fifteen minutes would be a distinct advantage. Provided the cutting was done with finesse, the U.K. version could well be the one to enjoy.
SYNOPSIS: Although the international jewel thief known as the Ace of Diamonds has long been in retirement, his protégé Jeff Hill — appropriately dubbed the Jack of Diamonds — is rapidly building a reputation equal to his mentor's. After stealing a fortune in jewels from the New York apartment of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jeff sets out to execute a robbery aboard a luxury liner. Although he encounters another cat burglar in one of the staterooms, he succeeds in escaping with the gems. Then, following the theft of Carroll Baker's jewels, Jeff flies to Munich and is visited by the Ace, who tries to persuade him to quit while he is still ahead of the game. But a chance meeting with a beautiful girl named Olga leads to Jeff's being introduced to the master thief of Europe, Nicolai. Even though he learns that Olga is the cat burglar he tussled with on the luxury liner, Jeff agrees to join forces with her and Nicolai in removing the fabled Zaharoff diamonds from an electronically-guarded bank vault in Paris. As the elaborate details of the crime are being worked out, Jeff cannot resist stealing the jewels of a third film star, Lilli Palmer. On the day of the Zaharoff job, however...
NOTES: Location scenes filmed in New York City, Paris, Genoa, Munich, and the Bavarian Alps. Interiors at Bavaria Studios, Munich.
COMMENT: A fairly exciting script, very capably acted by all concerned. A shame the comic elements were not played up more. At least one wisecrack is exceptionally hilarious, and the anti-climax itself is delicious; but generally the comedy is subdued in favor of the drama. In the less than inventive hands of director Don Taylor, the drama often seems too drearily self-conscious for true excitement. Taylor's pacing is too slow. Trimming the more heavy- handed passages by at least ten or fifteen minutes would be a distinct advantage. Provided the cutting was done with finesse, the U.K. version could well be the one to enjoy.