RIPPING YARNS: Films inspired by Jack the Ripper

As Ripper Street (Sundays) and From Hell (11.15pm, Sky Modern Greats) demonstrate, ‘Jack’ continues to be a popular subject for film and TV. Here are some other Ripper-inspired movies…

The Lodger (1927)

Hitchcock’s silent chiller based on the Ripper stars Ivor Novello (left) – better known as a musician – as the creepy tenant of the title, a role he reprised in 1932’s flop talkie remake.

Hands Of The Ripper (1971)

Hammer got in on the act in 1971 with two Ripper-themed shockers – Dr Jekyll And Sister Hyde, and this cult caper, with Angharad Rees (above) as Jack’s deadly daughter.

The Ruling Class (1972)

Peter O’Toole (right) is a mad aristo in this dark comic fantasy. At first, he thinks he’s the Messiah, but a bout of drastic therapy leaves him convinced that he’s Jack the Ripper.

Murder By Decree (1979)

Holmes and Watson (Christopher Plummer and James Mason, above) investigate the murders in the first film to assert the role of royalty and the Masons in the Ripper scandal.

Time After Time (1979)

Malcolm McDowell (above) is H.G. Wells in this unusual adventure, which gleefully mashes the Ripper legend with The Time Machine in the 20th – rather than the 19th – century.