The Ace of Scotland Yard

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The Ace of Scotland Yard
The Ace of Scotland Yard ad in The Film Daily, Jul-Dec 1929 (page 41 crop).jpg
Directed by Ray Taylor
Screenplay by Harold M. Atkinson [1]
Story byHarold M. Atkinson [1]
Starring
Cinematography John Hickson [1]
Edited by Alvin Todd [1]
Production
company
Release date
  • September 1929 (1929-9)

The Ace of Scotland Yard is a 1929 Universal movie serial. It was the first partial sound serial released by Universal Pictures. The film was released in September 1929. [2] It was a part-talkie serial using music and sound effects. [1]

Contents

This serial was a sequel to the 1927 12-chapter silent Universal serial Blake of Scotland Yard . [1]

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

Production

In addition to the sound version, a silent version of the cliffhanger was made for theatres not equipped to display sound films. [3] Harold M. Atkinson wrote the serial and Ray Taylor directed it. [4]

Chapter titles

  1. The Fatal Circlet
  2. A Cry in the Night
  3. The Dungeon of Doom
  4. Menace of the Mummy
  5. The Depths of Limehouse
  6. Dead or Alive
  7. Shadows of Fear
  8. The Baited Trap
  9. A Battle of Wits
  10. 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." [3] The Film Daily declared it "a gripping serial [that] carries a lot of fast action and suspense", specifically stating: "The camera work is exceptionally good, and the direction by Ray Taylor is aces." [3]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pitts 2018, p. 5.
  2. Pitts 2018, p. 321.
  3. 1 2 3 Pitts 2018, p. 6.
  4. Wlaschin, Ken (October 21, 2009). Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography. McFarland. p. 4. ISBN   978-0-7864-5429-7 . Retrieved January 5, 2021.

Sources

  • Pitts, Michael R. (2018). Thrills Untapped: Neglected Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1928-1936. McFarland. ISBN   978-1476632896.