Jack the Ripper (1959)

A serial killer is murdering women in the Whitechapel district of London. An American policeman is brought in to help Scotland Yard solve the case.

Directors:

Robert S. Baker, Monty Berman

Writers:

Peter Hammond (story), Colin Craig (story),

Stars:

Lee Patterson, Eddie Byrne, Betty McDowall

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lee Patterson	...	Sam Lowry
Eddie Byrne	...	Inspt. O'Neill
Betty McDowall	...	Anne Ford
Ewen Solon	...	Sir David Rogers
John Le Mesurier	...	Dr. Tranter
George Rose	...	Clarke
Philip Leaver	...	Music Hall Manager
Barbara Burke	...	Kitty Knowles
Anne Sharp	...	Helen
Denis Shaw	...	Simes
Jack Allen	...	Asst. Commissioner Hodges
Jane Taylor	...	Hazel
Dorinda Stevens	...	Margaret
Hal Osmond	...	Snakey the pickpocket (as Hal Osmonde)
George Street	...	Station Sergeant

Storyline

In 1888, Jack the Ripper is on his killing spree. Scotland Yard Inspector O'Neill is pleased to welcome to London his old friend Sam Lowry, a New York City detective who has come to visit him and is only too happy to help out with the case. Sam becomes attracted to Anne Ford, a modern woman for the age, but her guardian, Dr. Tranter doesn't quite approve. The good doctor also seems to be out when the Ripper murders occur. As the population edge ever loser to taking the law into their own hands, the police slowly close in the killer.

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | jack the ripper | crushed to death | black & white to color | london england | 

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Taglines:

HIS DESIRE WAS TO DESTROY LOVELINESS! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1960 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mid Century Film Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joseph E. Levine held a luncheon for major distributors to kick off the campaign for his U.S. release of this film. For this event, he borrowed $1 million in cash which was brought into the room with a cadre of Brinks guards. The cash was to demonstrate to the exhibitors how much he was going to spend in the U.S. to promote the film.

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Quotes

Sir David Rogers: And who might this be?
Inspector O'Neill: Mr. Lowry, sir. He's an American.
Sir David Rogers: That would account for it.

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Connections

Referenced in Psychos in Love (1987)

User Reviews

Be afraid Jack, the cowboy has arrived!

Every once in a while one finds a film that is mostly mediocre but has one redeeming feature.

The bright spot of Jack the Ripper is it's beautiful lightning. Some B&W films are just gray when to me the beauty of it is in the strong contrast between light and shadow.

All in all this is a very easy film to like. It is beautifully naive in it's portrayal of it's sex murder topic yet at the same time it succeeds in making a powerful point about lynching mob attitude.

The characters are rather predictable and bland with one exception: the young American policeman visiting London. With his accent and idealism displayed under a greasy fifties Buddy Holly hairstyle (remember that this is a period piece set in the 19th century)he brings a nice cowboy twist to the legend of Jack the Ripper.