Jack of Diamonds

George Hamilton, (Jeff Hill) learn his craft of becoming a master thief from Joseph Cotton, (Ace of Diamonds) and takes on some very risky assignments, especially the one that sexy Marie LaForet, (Olga) suggests he undertake. Jeff Hill even has a special place in his home to practice his climbing up and down the walls and sideways in order to practice his going through windows for precious gems. Jeff also has a very concealed room in his basement in order to cut up his diamonds in order to ship them to dealers undetected by jewelers. It is nice to see Joe Cotton in this film, he sort of played a very low key role and seemed like he was not too happy with this role. I almost forgot that Gabor was in this picture and made some remarks about a guy being Straight and not gay, it looks like this film was ahead of its time in raising this subject. Typical Cat Burglar film, something like " To Catch a Thief" with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

I basically watched this to see delightful Eva Gabor and gorgeous Carroll Baker. That was fun but they are only onscreen a few minutes. What we are left with is nearly two hours of THE TAN (with clumpy mascara, no less). I cannot think of one film George Hamilton was good in. I always thought of him as a greazier, poor man's Warren Beatty. I'm sure every A list actor passed on this boring script, so they made it with Hamilton.

I love 1960s movies and I can usually find something to enjoy about them. Not this one. It doesn't even have a single camp moment.

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.

Modern-day Canadian cat burglar, young, handsome and rich, steals precious gems from wealthy women all over the world; he's mentored by a veteran thief, both of whom become begrudging partners with a female cat burglar and her stepfather, who has concocted his own Mission: Impossible--stealing royal blood red diamonds from an impenetrable vault. Disposable caper, written by four screenwriters (Jack DeWitt, co-producer Sandy Howard, Howard Joseph and Robert L. Joseph), has tongue in cheek and brain in neutral. The tinkling background score from Peter Thomas and Bob Harris lends the proceedings some groovy charm, but lead George Hamilton (while agile) fails to lighten the load with his nondescript personality. Star cameos by robbery victims Lilli Palmer, Carroll Baker and Zsa Zsa Gabor (playing themselves) are incidental, though Gabor makes the most of her screen time with a cheeky turn. ** from ****

"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. ****