French
DeutschThe Ace of Scotland Yard
| The Ace of Scotland Yard | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Directed by | Ray Taylor |
| Screenplay by | Harold M. Atkinson [1] |
| Story by | Harold M. Atkinson[1] |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John Hickson[1] |
| Edited by | Alvin Todd[1] |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
The Ace of Scotland Yard is a 1929 Universal movie serial. It was the first partial sound serial released by Universal Pictures. The film was released in September 1929. [2] It was a part-talkie serial using music and sound effects.[1]
This serial was a sequel to the 1927 12-chapter silent Universal serial Blake of Scotland Yard.[1]
Plot
[edit]Retired CID inspector Angus Blake tries to prevent a female jewel thief named the Queen of Diamonds from stealing a valuable ring which, according to legend, carries a curse.
Cast
[edit]- Crauford Kent as Angus Blake, retired CID Inspector
- Monte Montague as Jarvis, Blake's servant
- Grace Cunard as Queen of Diamonds, famous jewel thief disguised as Lord Blanton's housekeeper Mary Duveen
- Florence Allen as Lady Diana Blanton, Lord Blanton's daughter
- Herbert Prior as Lord Blanton, owner of the cursed ring
- Albert Prisco as Prince Darius, desires the ring and hires the Queen of Diamonds to steal it
Production
[edit]In addition to the sound version, a silent version of the cliffhanger was made for theatres not equipped to display sound films.[3] Harold M. Atkinson wrote the serial and Ray Taylor directed it.[4]
Chapter titles
[edit]- The Fatal Circlet
- A Cry in the Night
- The Dungeon of Doom
- Menace of the Mummy
- The Depths of Limehouse
- Dead or Alive
- Shadows of Fear
- The Baited Trap
- A Battle of Wits
- The Fatal Judgement
Reception
[edit]Movie Age gave a positive review of the serial after watching the first three chapters, noting that "the picture carries a punch" and "if the succeeding chapters measure up with the first three, this serial is going to be a wow."[3] The Film Daily declared it "a gripping serial [that] carries a lot of fast action and suspense", specifically stating: "The camera work is exceptionally good, and the direction by Ray Taylor is aces."[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Pitts 2018, p. 5.
- ^ Pitts 2018, p. 321.
- ^ a b c Pitts 2018, p. 6.
- ^ Wlaschin, Ken (October 21, 2009). Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography. McFarland. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-7864-5429-7. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
Sources
[edit]- Pitts, Michael R. (2018). Thrills Untapped: Neglected Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1928-1936. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476632896.