Jack of Diamonds

Daring cat burglar Jeff Hill (George Hamilton) steals from Zsa Zsa Gabor a second time. He often steals from movie stars. During a heist on a cruise ship, he is surprised by a female thief. His mentor Ace of Diamonds (Joseph Cotten) advices him to join him in retirement. While they are on a ski vacation, Jeff is chased down by Olga who introduces them to her mentor Nicolai. It turns out that Olga is the female thief. The foursome decides to do a big heist together.

I like the cat burglaring the most. Zsa Zsa tries to have some self-deprecating fun to start. I can do without the cops or at least, they should get a more charismatic actor to lead the cops. The rest is fine for the most part. George Hamilton is not the most well known for his acting. The heists have some light thrills especially when they are moving among the fake roof tops. This is fine.

Typically glossy and bland 1960s international caper which, though harmless enough while it’s on, emerges an unnecessarily long haul because the running-time is padded with scenes in which the likes of Zsa Gabor, Carroll Baker and Lilli Palmer appear as themselves(!), purporting to be famous victims of the titular cat-burglar! The lead is played by a properly dashing George Hamilton; his mentor – the “Ace Of Diamonds” – is a suave Joseph Cotten; on their trail is insurance investigator Wolfgang Preiss – while Maurice Evans and Marie Laforet first prove rivals, then associates, in their schemes (Cotten having been involved, both romantically and ‘professionally’, with the girl’s deceased mother). Though wholly unsurprising (with the various robberies mildly generating the expected suspense), actor-turned-director Taylor’s treatment at least maintains an agreeably light touch throughout – the denouement, then, provides a clever ruse by which our roguish heroes can still go free in the end.

One great line in the film. After Gabor's jewels were stolen the second time the Press showed up at the scene of the crime to interview her. One Reporter asked if she had seen the Cat Burglar. She said: "No, but that he must have seen me". Feigning surprise after looking her body up & down he said: "Why would the burglar have left?". Gabor retorted: "There isn't a straight man left in America"! They all laughed and left. Now given that this film was released in 1967 the expression 'straight' seems ahead of it's time and yet there seems no doubt as to what was implied. Was this some in-joke as surely Gabor had done much 'research' in her personal life. I'm sure the audience laughed with the Reporters yet only a few would have known what the joke really was.

"The Jack of Diamonds" is a most enjoyable film, for fans of Mr. Hamilton. The story is that of a retired jewel thief (Joseph Cotton) who is known as "The Ace of Diamonds." Although he has long since retired, his new protégé George Hamilton has earned the reputation of a world class Cat Bugler and is so proficient he has come to the attention of international Insurance investigator Von Schenk (Wolfgang Presiss.) The insurance organization and the police are very interested in capturing him and the other two re-known jewel thieves like the King and Queen of Diamonds, (Murice Evans and Maire Laforte) and their aid Helmut (Karl Lieffen). They plan on going after the World Series of Jewels called the Hazerhoff Collection and will need all their collective skills to obtain it as it is not only well guarded, but the insurance company is waiting for them to try. Fun is an understatement, as the combined star power makes the film as interesting as the caper itself. A good film in any sense of the word. ****

Seen this on film at the new beverly and it was a treat. The first burglary scene was delightful and cute and then there were some late 60's thematic pleasantries. The soundtrack (Which i've made a note to get ahold of) made this movie visually melodic; such as-The opening scene, The ski-ing scene & The dance scene.

I'd watch it again to meditate on the elegance it celebrates so well.