The Peterville Diamond

This quota quickie actually made me laugh a few times, thanks particularly to the charm of Anne Crawford -- in her first billed role, as a neglected wife trying to get her businessman husband to notice her -- and William Hartnell, the future Dr. Who, demonstrating his expertise at physical comedy. During a Latin American vacation, Crawford tries to make her husband think she's meeting a lover at a local jewelry store. When he follows her there, they get mixed up with a gentleman jewel thief and his assistant.

If you've only seen Hartnell in Dr. Who, which he made toward the end of his career, you'll be surprised by his physical grace. As the thief's assistant, he steals most of his scenes and does some great work in a chase sequence trying to keep some stolen diamonds from a police detective.

Crawford was only in her twenties and looks quite lovely. She has a good way with a comic reaction, but also keeps it all serious enough to make the rather thin material look better than it is.

This was one of Warner Bros.' low-budget British productions shot at Teddington Studio. It was made to satisfy government demands that a percentage of films shown in the country be made in Great Britain with British talent. The film looks much better than that might lead you to expect, re-creating a Latin town entirely on sound stages. It's a pleasant way to pass 90 minutes.

When teri doesn't get much attention from her hard working husband, she decides to get him to pay more attention. Somehow. But when they are caught up in a robbery at the jewelry store, things get complicated. And they keep bumping into the thieves. Mistaken identities. Of people. And briefcases. And the president is coming for dinner! The first half of this just drags, but about halfway through, things pick right up. The farce gets a little more exciting with the thief and the chief of police in the same house. Stick with it... it gets so much better! Directed by walter forde. Based on the play from 1932, which had already been filmed as "jewel robbery". Anne crawford (plays teri) died so young at 35. This was the final film for oliver wakefield (the baron); he died young at 47. Donald stewart (mortimer) died at 55. Kind of a cursed cast.

Aside from Felix Aylmer's appearance as the President of his South American country, I hadn't really heard of many of the cast of jobbing British actors drafted in for this amiable crime caper. High-roller "Mortimer" (Donald Stewart) is determined to close a big deal but is neglecting his increasingly bored wife "Teri" (Anne Crawford). Intent on getting his attention, she goes to an high-end jewellers where she has discovered the eponymous diamond is being sold. Now one of her husband's underlings has alerted his boss to her visit and once they are both there, things start to hot up! A robbery is afoot, and with the help of some rather potent perfume she is relieved of her new jewel and the police are soon on the case. Later that evening they attend a state dinner with the aforementioned president and it's there that they realise that their charming and debonaire robber is also in attendance - in the guise of an influential businessman. Can they retrieve the stone - and the state jewels that have also been pilfered - before this character makes good their escape? At times this borders on the farce, but it is pretty well executed with good timing and just a little more sophistication to keep the pot boiling. Certainly, it's twenty minutes too long and the ending stretches out the theme a bit too far, but for the most part it's an enjoyable outing for Crawford and for Charles Helsop as long-suffering aide "Dilfallow" that moves along with a bit of style and a decent pace.

Teri Mortimer (Anne Crawford) is tired of being neglected by her rich businessman husband Charlie (Donald Stewart). She feigns interest in the expensive Peterville Diamond, but he just writes a big check to keep her quiet. A jewel thief duo comes into the store and robs the place. Of course, they steal the Peterville Diamond. The diamond passes from one hand to another. Teri enjoyed her time with the suave thief Baron Redburn (Oliver Wakefield) and the attention of Charlie's new jealousy.

This is set up for a fun love triangle. It's a fun meet-cute with Teri and the thief. The constant double-dealing tries to be screwball fun, but it just muddies the waters. I want more time for Teri to banter with Redburn. I don't know if they could ever stay together especially considering the times. Maybe if Charlie is only a boyfriend.

Enjoyed this British film which concerns a woman named Teri Mortimer, (Anne Crawford) who is married to a very rich man named Charles Mortimer, (Donald Stewart) and this couple are beginning to separate in their relationship and Teri Mortimer wants to see what she can do to wake her husband up and sort of get jealous of her. Teri's girlfriends do their best to help her out and devise all different kind of ways to get her husband to buy her a very expensive diamond called the Peterville Diamond. Charles Mortimer does start to become aware that is wife just might be having an affair with another man and so he does buy her this very expensive diamond in order to get his wife's attention and his married life can get back to normal. However, there are many problems which seem to arise and the diamond is stolen and there is a constant search for just where the diamond is and who has stolen this precious gem. Lots of British laughter and a very entertaining film. Enjoy.