Jack of Diamonds

"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. ****

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 ****

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.

This movie is so limp.

The heists are dull. The female cameos are insipid.

The acting is TV level. And the soundtrack belongs in an elevator.

Watching George Hamilton IV gabbing with lisping (or drunk) Joseph Cotton isn't remotely interesting. Cotton's makeup is so ghastly he looks like a marrionette.

Some of the locations are OK, but whoever director Don Taylor had behind the lens didn't take proper advantage, most of the time.

There's no way this movie would ever have seen the light of day after initial release if not for TCM.

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.