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.
16 Reviews
American Take on European Jewel Thief Genre
thescreamingmimi19 October 2005
This mildly entertaining German-American production has a Yankee take on the European tradition of suave jewel thieves. Perhaps influenced by the popular Italian comic books, star George Hamilton looks like Diabolik at times (though this movie was released before the film Danger: Diabolik).
Amusing cameos and supporting parts by many familiar faces and ably directed by veteran director/actor Don Taylor. Lots of nice Bavarian locations. Wolfgang Preiss, who played super-criminal Dr. Mabuse in a series of films, represents the law here. Even with some Morricone-ish music, one wishes it was more representative of the wild 60s Euro costumed criminal films like Danger: Diabolik, Kriminal and Mister X. The scene where Hamilton works on a trapeze in his mansion may have inspired the similar Lara Croft bit.
Amusing cameos and supporting parts by many familiar faces and ably directed by veteran director/actor Don Taylor. Lots of nice Bavarian locations. Wolfgang Preiss, who played super-criminal Dr. Mabuse in a series of films, represents the law here. Even with some Morricone-ish music, one wishes it was more representative of the wild 60s Euro costumed criminal films like Danger: Diabolik, Kriminal and Mister X. The scene where Hamilton works on a trapeze in his mansion may have inspired the similar Lara Croft bit.
Typical Cat Burglar Film
whpratt126 March 2007
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.
A Jack and an Ace don't exactly equal a winning hand, but it's not bad.
Poseidon-322 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The makings of a classic, suspenseful heist film are in place here, but the film only partly succeeds. Hamilton plays the title character, a wall-climbing, scuba-diving burglar who specializes in nabbing priceless baubles and who was trained by a master, the Ace of Diamonds (Cotten.) Cotten's old pal Evans, along with Evans' step-daughter Laforet, convinces Hamilton to go in on a practically impossible job, removing a prized necklace and brooch from a virtually impregnable stronghold (after first obtaining a vault combination from the middle of Paris police headquarters!) The foursome plots and trains and plans until the big day arrives while Preiss closes in on them as fast as he can. Hamilton is quite fit and manages to be fairly convincing in his somewhat larger-than-life role. Cotten is less believable, though his character is in retirement, which helps. Evans is relatively amusing in his controlling characterization. Laforet is beautiful and surprisingly decent in a role that is substantially window-dressing. Some of the set pieces are tiresome (such as Hamilton's and Laforet's meet--cute on the ski slopes) but the big heist itself is pretty suspenseful and well-handled. Hamilton also has a neat home complete with a trapeze, an indoor pool and a secret compartment for jewel cutting. Three glamorous ladies appear as themselves (!) in utterly pointless cameos that do little to enhance the film except that they add a bit of feminine attractiveness (which Laforet handles rather nicely anyway.) Of the trio of Palmer, Baker and Gabor, only Gabor gets to say anything remotely interesting and even her presence is limited. (At this point, her negligible film career was already waning and she was basically doing guest shots, yet she is portrayed as a busy, successful actress who has a 6:00 call!) One thing that could divide a lot of viewers is the overbearing and exceedingly whimsical music score which features voices doo-dooing and whee-ing away continually. Some may get the humor, others will be lying on the floor with blood trickling out of their ears. It's a fanciful, stylish, but also rather undistinguished tale without a lot to recommend it unless one is a fan of Hamilton or of the genre in particular. The ground has been covered many times before and after and often in a better way.
Gabor should know!
keithtrumbo25 March 2007
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.
Attrocious
mls418216 December 2021
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.
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.
OK burglary movie done in by ghastly soundtrack
Duellist9 September 2020
Can a soundtrack wreck a movie? Watch Jack of Diamonds and find out. This movie is otherwise unremarkable fare, a decent plot, paint-by-numbers acting, burglary sequences, etc. But....the soundtrack. It's just annoying for the most part, but when George Hamilton does the burglary at the end, the music was so hideous it totally distracted from the suspense of him getting into the vault. It completely destroyed the vibe of the movie and took what was a 5/10 movie down to 2/10.
Meditative euro-paced elagance. 7.6
BobbyGuts25 July 2019
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.
I'd watch it again to meditate on the elegance it celebrates so well.
More like a 3 of clubs
ArtVandelayImporterExporter4 September 2021
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.
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.
Maybe we're watching the wrong version?
JohnHowardReid3 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Copyright 12 July 1967 by Harris Associates/Bavaria Atelier. New York opening at neighborhood theaters: 10 November 1967. U.S. release: 12 July 1967. U.K. release: 15 October 1967. Australian release: 15 February 1968. Running times: 107 minutes (US and Aust), 90 minutes (UK).
SYNOPSIS: Although the international jewel thief known as the Ace of Diamonds has long been in retirement, his protégé Jeff Hill — appropriately dubbed the Jack of Diamonds — is rapidly building a reputation equal to his mentor's. After stealing a fortune in jewels from the New York apartment of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jeff sets out to execute a robbery aboard a luxury liner. Although he encounters another cat burglar in one of the staterooms, he succeeds in escaping with the gems. Then, following the theft of Carroll Baker's jewels, Jeff flies to Munich and is visited by the Ace, who tries to persuade him to quit while he is still ahead of the game. But a chance meeting with a beautiful girl named Olga leads to Jeff's being introduced to the master thief of Europe, Nicolai. Even though he learns that Olga is the cat burglar he tussled with on the luxury liner, Jeff agrees to join forces with her and Nicolai in removing the fabled Zaharoff diamonds from an electronically-guarded bank vault in Paris. As the elaborate details of the crime are being worked out, Jeff cannot resist stealing the jewels of a third film star, Lilli Palmer. On the day of the Zaharoff job, however...
NOTES: Location scenes filmed in New York City, Paris, Genoa, Munich, and the Bavarian Alps. Interiors at Bavaria Studios, Munich.
COMMENT: A fairly exciting script, very capably acted by all concerned. A shame the comic elements were not played up more. At least one wisecrack is exceptionally hilarious, and the anti-climax itself is delicious; but generally the comedy is subdued in favor of the drama. In the less than inventive hands of director Don Taylor, the drama often seems too drearily self-conscious for true excitement. Taylor's pacing is too slow. Trimming the more heavy- handed passages by at least ten or fifteen minutes would be a distinct advantage. Provided the cutting was done with finesse, the U.K. version could well be the one to enjoy.
SYNOPSIS: Although the international jewel thief known as the Ace of Diamonds has long been in retirement, his protégé Jeff Hill — appropriately dubbed the Jack of Diamonds — is rapidly building a reputation equal to his mentor's. After stealing a fortune in jewels from the New York apartment of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jeff sets out to execute a robbery aboard a luxury liner. Although he encounters another cat burglar in one of the staterooms, he succeeds in escaping with the gems. Then, following the theft of Carroll Baker's jewels, Jeff flies to Munich and is visited by the Ace, who tries to persuade him to quit while he is still ahead of the game. But a chance meeting with a beautiful girl named Olga leads to Jeff's being introduced to the master thief of Europe, Nicolai. Even though he learns that Olga is the cat burglar he tussled with on the luxury liner, Jeff agrees to join forces with her and Nicolai in removing the fabled Zaharoff diamonds from an electronically-guarded bank vault in Paris. As the elaborate details of the crime are being worked out, Jeff cannot resist stealing the jewels of a third film star, Lilli Palmer. On the day of the Zaharoff job, however...
NOTES: Location scenes filmed in New York City, Paris, Genoa, Munich, and the Bavarian Alps. Interiors at Bavaria Studios, Munich.
COMMENT: A fairly exciting script, very capably acted by all concerned. A shame the comic elements were not played up more. At least one wisecrack is exceptionally hilarious, and the anti-climax itself is delicious; but generally the comedy is subdued in favor of the drama. In the less than inventive hands of director Don Taylor, the drama often seems too drearily self-conscious for true excitement. Taylor's pacing is too slow. Trimming the more heavy- handed passages by at least ten or fifteen minutes would be a distinct advantage. Provided the cutting was done with finesse, the U.K. version could well be the one to enjoy.
"This is a robbery, not an adventure!"
moonspinner5524 June 2017
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 ****
" You may rely on Helmut "
thinker16918 July 2008
"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. ****
fine for the most part
SnoopyStyle9 September 2020
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.
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.
a heist.
ksf-212 October 2021
The suave george hamilton is Jack, a cat burglar, who steals from zsa zsa, one of the many gabor sisters. But he's starting to show off. The hollywood version of interpol never couldn't catch his father (joseph cotton), so they are now even more determined to catch him. So we're off to munich. Co-stars maurice evans and marie laforet as father and daughter, who are onto jack. And want to work together on a heist. They even have a drink at the psychadelic dance club. It's mandatory in any film made in the late 1960s. The heist is on... but there are some surprises to come. It's pretty good. Although one would have thought they would have connected the Ace of Diamonds to the current robberies being committed by the J. Of D. Much quicker... they didnt' seem to do much background checking on their suspects! Directed by don taylor. Hamilton seemed to get extra press, possibly because he took Lynda johnson, the president's daughter, to the oscars in 1966. Zhivago and sound of music were the big winners.
An enjoyable heist flick.
planktonrules4 May 2022
Jeff Hill (George Hamilton) is a master jewel thief who exudes class and sophistication. He apparently learned this from Ace (Joseph Cotten)...an older and more experienced cat burglar. So, when his old mentor suggest they work with some other crooks for a big score, Jeff goes along with it....to mixed results to say the least.
The best parts of the film are showing the various capers...particularly the big one near the end. Hamilton is also very smooth and enjoyable in the lead. The reason the film doesn't earn more than a 7 is that while good, the relationship with the lady isn't necessary and is, in fact, a distraction. Still, it's well worth seeing and is one of Hamilton's best.
The best parts of the film are showing the various capers...particularly the big one near the end. Hamilton is also very smooth and enjoyable in the lead. The reason the film doesn't earn more than a 7 is that while good, the relationship with the lady isn't necessary and is, in fact, a distraction. Still, it's well worth seeing and is one of Hamilton's best.
A gemologist's dream of a thriller
IndridC0ld8 April 2022
I had just begun my study of gems as a precocious eleven year old when I saw this film. I had a real interest in large famous diamonds, and the idea of "appropriating" one was an appealing daydream to an imaginative and precocious boy such as myself. I visited the homes of major gems such as Tiffany NY, where the 125 carat golden yellow "Tiffany diamond" resided. The manager, who was rightfully impressed with my background knowledge of the stone, granted me a personal visit with it. This experience, more than any others, drove me to embark on a career in the gem business.
As to this movie, it is both clever and silly. My memory of it is strong because as a young lad, facinated by large historical diamonds, the idea of stealing them seemed like the only way a non-wealthy citizen could add one to their personal collection. This film will tickle the imaginations of both gem and heist stories. The object of desire, a collection of "blood red diamonds" would truly be "priceless!"
As to this movie, it is both clever and silly. My memory of it is strong because as a young lad, facinated by large historical diamonds, the idea of stealing them seemed like the only way a non-wealthy citizen could add one to their personal collection. This film will tickle the imaginations of both gem and heist stories. The object of desire, a collection of "blood red diamonds" would truly be "priceless!"
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