The Peterville Diamond

Enjoyed this British film which concerns a woman named Teri Mortimer, (Anne Crawford) who is married to a very rich man named Charles Mortimer, (Donald Stewart) and this couple are beginning to separate in their relationship and Teri Mortimer wants to see what she can do to wake her husband up and sort of get jealous of her. Teri's girlfriends do their best to help her out and devise all different kind of ways to get her husband to buy her a very expensive diamond called the Peterville Diamond. Charles Mortimer does start to become aware that is wife just might be having an affair with another man and so he does buy her this very expensive diamond in order to get his wife's attention and his married life can get back to normal. However, there are many problems which seem to arise and the diamond is stolen and there is a constant search for just where the diamond is and who has stolen this precious gem. Lots of British laughter and a very entertaining film. Enjoy.

This was a mildly enjoyable film, but despite Teddington Studio trying hard to make a nice little farce, the human often seemed a tad forced and not especially funny. Not a bad film, though not one that you'll long remember.

The film begins with a ridiculous plot device--a man and woman are on their honeymoon and the man is so busy with his business that he actually brings along his secretary and works the entire time! This is funny but also so ridiculous because it was completely impossible unless you just assume the man was gay. The understandably angry wife is beside herself and decides to try and make her indifferent husband jealous. However, despite having a good plan, her plan goes awry when a real stranger (in the form of a gentleman bandit) comes into her life for real. This bandit was by far the best aspect of the film--as he was quite charming and funny despite being a crook! After they meet during a robbery, the film slows down and becomes a tad tedious--especially during a dinner party when the stolen jewels keep getting lost and switched. This got old quickly and I found myself getting bored and wanting the film to wrap up quickly. Too bad the momentum was lost and it all ended up so mediocre--the film had some promise.

"The Peterville Diamond" from 1942 is a pretty good British film with people not terribly well known on this side of the pond but nevertheless quite good. I would have liked to have seen this with spiffier production values and stars a la MGM. It's the kind of story that needs some gloss.

The plot concerns a bored, wealthy woman who feels ignored by her husband. To spice things up, she has a woman friend call her, and in the presence of her butler, she arranges a tryst at a jewelry store. The butler dutifully tells the husband. While everyone is at the store, it's robbed by one of those gentleman robbers they used to have in the '30s, a Raffles type. He later shows up at a dinner party hosted by the woman and her husband, and now he's a baron. It takes off from there, with confusion over a case containing either jewels or papers which leads to car chases.

I'm sure it's not a long film but due to the thinness of the plot, it felt like it went on too long. Nevertheless, parts of it are fun.

TCM is currently showing a slew of "forgotten" Teddington Studios films (which repeat next Monday), and this one is a template for any intrigue comedy. Black and white never look better in such low-budget parameters.

Who will hook up with whom? Who will be arrested? What will become of the diamonds and other stones (they call them "rocks" for Americanism)?

One note: the absurdly large corsages worn by the women at the lapel is a trend I should like to see reappear.

Jewel thieves and a laconic damsel entwine. The film is never dull, and very fast paced. O, that films today would learn from such minor gems! I am enjoying this feature and look forward to other Teddington productions via Warner Bros.

Teri Mortimer (Anne Crawford) is tired of being neglected by her rich businessman husband Charlie (Donald Stewart). She feigns interest in the expensive Peterville Diamond, but he just writes a big check to keep her quiet. A jewel thief duo comes into the store and robs the place. Of course, they steal the Peterville Diamond. The diamond passes from one hand to another. Teri enjoyed her time with the suave thief Baron Redburn (Oliver Wakefield) and the attention of Charlie's new jealousy.

This is set up for a fun love triangle. It's a fun meet-cute with Teri and the thief. The constant double-dealing tries to be screwball fun, but it just muddies the waters. I want more time for Teri to banter with Redburn. I don't know if they could ever stay together especially considering the times. Maybe if Charlie is only a boyfriend.