Jack of Diamonds (1967)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Best movie ever!

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

"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. ****

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.

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.

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.