Watch The Great Diamond Robbery

The Great Diamond Robbery is a 1954 comedy film directed by Robert Z. Leonard, starring Red Skelton, Cara Williams, and James Whitmore. The movie revolves around Ambrose C. Park (Skelton), a clumsy clerk at the diamond exchange in New York City, who becomes an unwitting accomplice in a heist carried out by a gang of crooks. The film begins with Ambrose leading a fairly mundane life. The only thing that excites him is his love for a fellow clerk in the exchange, Dolly (Williams). However, their love is hindered by Ambrose's shyness and lack of confidence. One day, a gang of robbers headed by a man named Dan Chancellor (Whitmore) comes into the diamond exchange to carry out a heist. To his sheer shock, Ambrose overhears the gang's plans, and gets mistaken for one of them.

What follows is a series of hilarious events as Ambrose tries to clear his name while still trying to win Dolly's affection. In a bid to get out of the mess he has gotten himself into, he joins forces with Dolly and sets out to steal the diamonds themselves before the real robbers can. Their journey takes them all over New York city, from the diamond exchange to an opera house, to a zoo, and even a carnival.

Throughout the movie, Red Skelton's over the top expressions keep the audience laughing, especially when he bumbles his way through various situations. His comedy takes on a slapstick quality, causing viewers to anticipate the next phase of his misadventures. The supporting actors, including Cara Williams and James Whitmore, deliver solid performances, ushering in both levity and depth to the overall film.

The chemistry between Skelton and Williams is what makes this movie worth watching. Williams' portrayal of Dolly is the perfect counterpoint to Skelton's awkwardness. She is confident, witty, and charming, everything Ambrose is not. The unlikely pairing of the two characters has proved to be one of the highlights of the silver screen history encapsulating the trials, tribulations, and trysts of navigating life's uncertainties.

Aside from the comedic aspects, the film also boasts of an excellent score by David Rose, making it a treat for the ears. It is typical of the music during that period, swinging, jazzy, and sound enough to keep an audience in a good mood along with the film's light-hearted theme.

Overall, The Great Diamond Robbery takes the audience on a humorous adventure, offering a brief escape to an exciting world filled with heists, romance, and fun. It is a film that is enjoyable for all ages, proving that sometimes, laughter is, in fact, the best medicine.

The Great Diamond Robbery is a 1954 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.