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:

This "Lady" Has Taken Her Last Walk!

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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

This film was well remembered by horror and thriller fans from this period. The massive advertising campaign generated huge ticket sales and a high number of holdover dates. But, according to Joseph E. Levine, the film was a failure in the U.S. He claimed, "We dropped dead in every one! You'd think somewhere, a small town maybe, someplace, it would have done business. But no. That's a record they'll never come close to."

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Quotes

Sir David Rogers: Mary Clarke. Are you Mary Clarke? Where can I find Mary Clarke?

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Connections

Version of A Study in Terror (1965)

User Reviews

Fair

Jack the Ripper (1959)

** (out of 4)

Atmospheric and moody version of the infamous serial killer. This isn't quite as good as the version with Klaus Kinski but it remained entertaining throughout. The director does a great job building up the atmosphere of 1888 London but for some strange reason he never pushes the "mystery" surrounding the case. He throws a lot of suspects at us but for some reason he never tries to build up a mystery film as to who the killer is. There's a big twist at the end, which makes one think the film is going to do something with it but it never does. I'm not exactly sure what the filmmakers were going for but the movie still works.