UK, 1959
82m 56s [UK]
35mm film, black and white, colour sequence
mono, English
A British horror film directed by Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman. Although mostly in black and white, some prints contain a sequence in colour at the very end of the film.
Plot Summary
The East End of London is gripped by panic as serial killer Jack the Ripper slaughters his way through the area's prostitutes. The police seem powerless to stop him and need to rely on a visiting American detective to help catch the killer before he strikes again.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman
Copyright 1958 by Mid-Century Film Productions Ltd
Produced by: Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman
Screenplay by: Jimmy Sangster
From an Original Story by: Peter Hammond and Colin Craig
Photographed by: Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman
Editor: Peter Benzencenet
Music Written and Conducted by: Stanley Black [UK prints]; Jimmy McHugh, Pete Rugolo [US prints]
Sound Recordist: Buster Ambler
Westrex Recording System
Wardrobe: Jack Verity
Make-up: Jimmy Evans
Hairdressing: Bill Griffiths
Art Director: William Kellner
Produced at Shepperton Studios, England
Cast
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 (assistant commissioner)
Jane Taylor (Hazel)
Dorinda Stevens (Margaret)
Hal Osmonde (pickpocket)
George Street (station sergeant)
Olwen Brooks (Lady Almoner)
Endre Muller (Louis Benz)
Esma Cannon (Nelly)
George Woodbridge (Blake)
Bill Shine (Lord Sopwith)
Production Notes
Release
The film's US launch was marked by a lunch for 500 industry executives and members of the press who were sent a black leather bag, knife and stethoscope along with their invitations. 1The Daily Cinema no.8250 (4 January 1960) p.2
References
Periodicals
The Daily Cinema no.8250 (4 January 1960) p.2 – illustrated note (‘Ripper' US campaign)
Books
The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror by Phil Hardy (ed.) p.114-115 – credits, review
Creature Features Movie Guide Strikes Again by John Stanley p.207 – credits, review
Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis 202 – credits
Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.228 – credits
Serial Killer Cinema: An Analytical Filmography by Robert Cetti p.227 – credits, review
Shock Xpress no.2 pp.94-95 – review
Sixties Shockers by Mark Clark and Bryan Senn pp.246-248 – illustrated credits, review
Unsung Horrors by Eric McNaughton & Darrell Buxton (eds) pp.173-175 – illustrated review (by Clare Smith)
X-Cert: The British Independent Horror Film: 1951-1970 by John Hamilton pp.220-221 – illustrated review
