The Jack of Diamonds
| The Jack of Diamonds | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Vernon Sewell |
| Written by | unconfirmed |
| Produced by | Vernon Sewell Walter d'Eyncourt[1] |
| Starring | Nigel Patrick Cyril Raymond Joan Carroll Darcy Conyers Vernon Sewell |
| Cinematography | Moray Grant |
| Music by | Frank Spencer |
Production company | Vernon Sewell Productions |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Jack of Diamonds is a 1949 British adventure film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Nigel Patrick, Cyril Raymond and Joan Carroll.[2][3] Its plot follows an ex-soldier who persuades some yacht owners to help recover a treasure chest of jewels he hid off the French coast in 1940 during the Second World War. It is considered a lost film.[4]
Plot
A once wealthy couple, Roger and Joan Keen, are forced to rent out their yacht, and are hired by a man named Alan Butler to transport him to the coast of France, to recover a chest of jewels which he hid there years before. A woman named Giselle winds up going with them, and she later claims that Alan stole those jewels from her. When they find the treasure, Alan sets the others adrift and steals their boat but he is captured after a chase, and Giselle winds up with the jewels.
Cast
- Nigel Patrick as Alan Butler
- Cyril Raymond as Roger Keen
- Joan Carroll as Joan Keen
- Dolly Bouwmeester as Giselle
- John Basings as Parsons
- Darcy Conyers as Colin Campbell
- Vernon Sewell as engineer
- Edwin Richfield as George Paxton
- Guy Romano as Douamier
Production
Sewell filmed parts of the film on his own personal yacht.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Neat dialogue, plausible characterisation and good photography are the main features of this pleasantly unpretentious piece of film making. The cast, headed by Nigel Patrick as Butler, and Cyril Raymond and Joan Carol as the Keens, enters more than competently into the general spirit of adventure."[5]
Kine Weekly wrote: "The hand-picked leading players display plenty of spirit and their eager teamwork, coupled with authentic and picturesque backgrounds, brings out the best in the engaging and exciting piratical yarn. Independent of the studio, it obviously cost no fortune to make, but every cent is on the screen. ... The picture takes quite long enough to unfold, but, although it ships a little water as it nears the end of its Channel adventure, the enthusiasm of the cast, director and technicians never wanes. A jolly and lively improvisation, it's certain to register with the general run of picturegoers. It has a real salty tang."[6]
TV Guide gave the film two out of four stars, writing: "This well-paced effort takes full advantage of its characterizations and the high seas background."[7]
References
- ^ Johnson, Tom (1996). Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 34. ISBN 0-7864-0034-X.
- ^ "The Jack of Diamonds". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | JACK OF DIAMONDS (1949)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ Johnson, Tom (1996). Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 34. ISBN 0-7864-0034-X.
- ^ "The Jack of Diamonds". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 16 (181): 21. 1 January 1949. ProQuest 1305821885.
- ^ "The Jack of Diamonds". Kine Weekly. 383 (2176): 17. 13 January 1949. ProQuest 2687780050.
- ^ "The Jack Of Diamonds Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.