JACK THE RIPPER (1959)

Betty McDowall and Lee Patterson

JACK THE RIPPER (1959). Directed by Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman.  Screenplay by Jimmy Sangster. 

Women are being carved up in Whitechapel, London in the late 19th century after an unknown man asks them "Are you Mary Clark?" American reporter Sam Lowry (Lee Patterson) comes to London and meets up with his old friend, Inspector O'Neill (Eddie Byrne), who has been assigned to the case. Among the suspects is Dr. Traner (John Le Mesurier), whose ward, Anne (Betty McDowall) wants a position in his hospital over his objections. Other suspects include the friendly and mute hunchback, Louie (Endre Muller) and the less-friendly Dr. Urquhart (Garard Green), among others. 

Endre Muller and John Le Mesurier

Jack the Ripper does not at all stick to the facts of the true story, using only fictional characters and making the victims dance hall girls and barmaids along with prostitutes (To our knowledge, Jack only killed prostitutes). Nevertheless the film is interesting and has atmosphere, although the musical score is a little too jazzy at times. "Jack" comes to a suitably gruesome and horrifying end at the movie's climax, which briefly goes to color to show the blood. He has also been given a fairly credible motive. The picture is generally well-acted, absorbing, and fast-paced, but it has really nothing to do with the real Jack the Ripper. 

Verdict: Not the real story at all, but not bad on its own terms. ***.