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The Diamond (film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Diamond' is a 1954 British film noir crime film starring Dennis O'Keefe, Margaret Sheridan and Philip Friend. It is based on the 1952 novel 'Rich Is the Treasure' by Maurice Procter. It was released by United Artists in both Britain and America where it was known as 'The Diamond Wizard'. It has the distinction of being Britain's first 3D film, though according to the British Film Institute, it was shown in 3D only once, on 13 September 2006 in Hollywood. Despite the 2006 showing the film was listed on the BFI 75 Most Wanted list of lost films. The film, however, is not lost and can be viewed on Amazon Prime.
Production
It was shot at Walton Studios with location filming taking place around London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Denis Wreford. It was produced by the independent British company Gibraltar Films for release by United Artists. It was O'Keefe's second role in a British film having starred in another crime-thriller 'The Fake' the previous year.
It seems unclear who directed 'The Diamond'. According to the British Film Institute website the British release credited British B-picture veteran Montgomery Tully as director, while the US release credited the film's American star, Dennis O'Keefe. However, the US print viewed by the reviewer of the American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures credits Tully while a YouTube video with the opening credits of a print bearing the British release title credits O'Keefe.
Plot
After a gang pulls off a heist to acquire freshly minted dollars, American Treasury Agent Joe Dennison pursues their trail to London. With the assistance of a Scotland Yard detective, he attempts to break a racket involving the production of synthetic diamonds.
Cast
*Dennis O'Keefe as Joe Dennison
*Margaret Sheridan as Marline Miller
*Philip Friend as Inspector McClaren
*Alan Wheatley as Thompson Blake
*Francis de Wolff as Yeo
*Eric Berry as Hunziger
*Michael Balfour as Hoxie
*Gudrun Ure as Sergeant Smith
*Paul Hardtmuth as Dr. Eric Miller
* Colin Tapley as Sir Stafford Beach
*Donald Gray as Commander Gilles
*Cyril Chamberlain as Castle
*Seymour Green as Lascelles
* Betty McDowall as Police Sgt. Graves
* Alastair Hunter as Dr. Cully
* Paul Carpenter as Mickey Sweeney
* Philip Lennard as Police Sgt. Hunter
* Victor Wood as Sam, Fingerprint Technician
* Molly Weir as Mrs. Sayer
* Gordon McLeod as Paul Hawkins
* Arthur Mullard as Police Informer
* Wensley Pithey as Police Sergeant
References
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