The Ace of Scotland Yard

The Ace of Scotland Yard is a 1929 Universal movie serial. It was the first partial sound serial released by Universal Pictures. The film was released in September 1929. It was a part-talkie serial using music and sound effects.

This serial was a sequel to the 1927 12-chapter silent Universal serial Blake of Scotland Yard.

Plot
Retired CID inspector Angus Blake tries to prevent a female jewel thief named the Queen of Diamonds from stealing a valuable ring which, according to legend, carries a curse.

Cast

 * Crauford Kent as Angus Blake, retired CID Inspector
 * Monte Montague as Jarvis, Blake's servant
 * Grace Cunard as Queen of Diamonds, famous jewel thief disguised as Lord Blanton's housekeeper Mary Duveen
 * Florence Allen as Lady Diana Blanton, Lord Blanton's daughter
 * Herbert Prior as Lord Blanton, owner of the cursed ring
 * Albert Prisco as Prince Darius, desires the ring and hires the Queen of Diamonds to steal it

Production
In addition to the sound version, a silent version of the cliffhanger was made for theatres not equipped to display sound films. Harold M. Atkinson wrote the serial and Ray Taylor directed it.

Chapter titles

 * 1) The Fatal Circlet
 * 2) A Cry in the Night
 * 3) The Dungeon of Doom
 * 4) Menace of the Mummy
 * 5) The Depths of Limehouse
 * 6) Dead or Alive
 * 7) Shadows of Fear
 * 8) The Baited Trap
 * 9) A Battle of Wits
 * 10) The Fatal Judgement

Reception
Movie Age gave a positive review of the serial after watching the first three chapters, noting that "the picture carries a punch" and "if the succeeding chapters measure up with the first three, this serial is going to be a wow." The Film Daily declared it "a gripping serial [that] carries a lot of fast action and suspense", specifically stating: "The camera work is exceptionally good, and the direction by Ray Taylor is aces."