The Ace of Scotland Yard
The Ace of Scotland Yard is a 1929 Universal movie serial. It was the first partial sound serial released by Universal Pictures. The serial is about a retired CID inspector Angus Blake tries to catch a jewel thief named The Queen of Diamonds from stealing a valuable ring which, according to legend, carries a curse.
The Ace of Scotland Yard | |
---|---|
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 |
|
Chapter titles
- 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
Cast
- 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
The film serial was a sequel to the 1927 12-chapter Universal serial Blake of Scotland Yard.[1] The serial was a part-talkie serial using dialogue music and sound effects.[1] In addition to the sound version, a silent version of the cliffhanger was made for theatres not equipped to display sound films.[2]
Release
The film's earliest release was in September 1929.[3]
Reception
Movie Age gave a positive review of the serial after watching the first three chapters noting that "the pictures carries a punch" and "if the succeeding chapters measure up with the first three, this serial is going to be a wow."[2] 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."[2]
References
Footnotes
- Pitts 2018, p. 5.
- Pitts 2018, p. 6.
- Pitts 2018, p. 321.
Sources
- Pitts, Michael R. (2018). Thrills Untapped: Neglected Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1928-1936. McFarland. ISBN 1476632898.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)