''The Ace of Scotland Yard'' is a 1929

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a t ...

movie serial A serial film, film serial (or just serial), movie serial, or chapter play, is a motion picture form popular during the first half of the 20th century, consisting of a series of short subjects exhibited in consecutive order at one theater, gene ...

. It was the first partial sound serial released by Universal Pictures. The film was released in September 1929. It was a part-talkie serial using music and sound effects. This serial was a sequel to the 1927 12-chapter silent Universal serial '' Blake of Scotland Yard''.

Plot

Retired CID inspector Angus Blake tries to prevent a female jewel thief named the Queen of Diamonds from stealing a valuable ring which, according to legend, carries a curse.

Cast

Crauford Kent Crauford Kent (12 October 1881 – 14 May 1953) was an English character actor based in the United States. He has also been credited as Craufurd Kent

as Angus Blake, retired CID Inspector *

Monte Montague Monte Montague (April 23, 1891 – April 6, 1959) was the stage name for Walter H. Montague, an American film actor. He appeared in more than 190 films between 1920 and 1954. He was born in Somerset, Kentucky, and died in Burbank, California ...

as Jarvis, Blake's servant *

Grace Cunard Grace Cunard (born Harriet Mildred Jeffries; April 8, 1893 – January 19, 1967) was an American actress, screenwriter and film director. During the silent era, she starred in over 100 films, wrote or co-wrote at least 44 of those production ...

as Queen of Diamonds, famous jewel thief disguised as Lord Blanton's housekeeper Mary Duveen * Florence Allen as Lady Diana Blanton, Lord Blanton's daughter *

Herbert Prior Herbert Prior (2 July 1867 – 3 October 1954) was an English silent film actor. He appeared in more than 260 films between 1908 and 1934. He was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, and died in Los Angeles, California. Prior was married to actress ...

as Lord Blanton, owner of the cursed ring *

Albert Prisco Albert Prisco (January 28, 1890 – ?) was an American actor born in Naples, Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of ...

as Prince Darius, desires the ring and hires the Queen of Diamonds to steal it

Production

In addition to the sound version, a silent version of the cliffhanger was made for theatres not equipped to display sound films. Harold M. Atkinson wrote the serial and Ray Taylor directed it.

Chapter titles

#The Fatal Circlet #A Cry in the Night #The Dungeon of Doom #Menace of the Mummy #The Depths of Limehouse #Dead or Alive #Shadows of Fear #The Baited Trap #A Battle of Wits #The Fatal Judgement

Reception

'' Movie Age'' gave a positive review of the serial after watching the first three chapters, noting that "the picture carries a punch" and "if the succeeding chapters measure up with the first three, this serial is going to be a wow." ''

The Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informatio ...

'' declared it "a gripping serial

hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...

carries a lot of fast action and suspense", specifically stating: "The camera work is exceptionally good, and the direction by Ray Taylor is aces."

References

Footnotes

Sources

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ace of Scotland Yard, The 1929 films 1929 mystery films American mystery thriller films American silent serial films American black-and-white films American detective films 1920s English-language films Films directed by Ray Taylor Lost American films Films set in London Transitional sound films Universal Pictures film serials 1929 lost films 1920s American films 1920s mystery thriller films Silent mystery thriller films