Jack the Ripper is interesting fodder for a movie . . .
I actually really enjoyed this film even though it was in Black and White. I have read that there is a version with a colorized ending but the version I saw did not have that little added feature. And I can't figure out if that would have made it better or would have just come off as cheesy? I read both opinions out there. Hopefully someday I will see it and be able to make my own judgement.
This was an interesting twist on the old Ripper storyline. In it, the Ripper is looking for a Mary Clark and kills each victim after asking if she is her or knows of her whereabouts. Inspector O'Neill (Eddie Byrne) is having nothing but trouble with Scotland Yards as he is having no luck in solving the Jack the Ripper case. He is joined by an American colleague, Sam Lowry (Lee Patterson) who has been sent over to see how the people are reacting to the slowness in solving the sensational case.
Full of insight as to the dangers of mob mentality, Jack the Ripper aptly demonstrates that fear can grotesquely shape the reactions of the ordinary citizen. When Sam shows up in a local pub and asks some questions about the murders, he is almost sliced up by one of the locals because they assume that he is the Ripper himself. And a mute hunchback who cleans and sharpens surgical utensils for the local doctors is almost gutted as well.
Jack the Ripper was a pretty good film that, for the time period, had quite a little "twist" ending. I happened to catch it on AMC and if you find it on, it certainly wouldn't be a waste of your time to watch it.
Jack the Ripper Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Robert S. Baker
Monty Berman
Writing credits
Peter Hammond
Colin Craig
Jimmy Sangster
Cast (in credits order)
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
Endre Muller .... Louis Benz
Esma Cannon .... Nelly
George Woodbridge .... Blake
Bill Shine .... Lord Sopwith
Marianne Stone .... Drunken Woman
Garard Green .... Dr. Urquhart
Jack Allen .... Asst. Commissioner
Jane Taylor .... Hazel
Dorinda Stevens .... Margaret
Hal Osmond .... Pickpocket (as Hal Osmonde)
George Street .... Station Sergeant
Olwen Brookes .... Lady Almoner (as Olwen Brooks)
Charles Lamb .... Stage Door Keeper
Jennifer White .... Beth
Cameron Hall .... Hospital Porter
Alan Robinson .... Coroner
Anthony Sagar .... Drunk
John Mott .... Singer
Lucy Griffiths .... Salvation Army Woman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patricia Phoenix
Katy Cashfield .... Blonde girl (uncredited)
Helena Digby .... 1st Victim (uncredited)
Paul Frees .... Narrator/U.S. version (uncredited)
More Reviews of Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper Review from BritmovieJack the Ripper Movie Review and Information Page at The Internet Movie Database
