The Accusing Finger
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
James Hogan
Paul Kelly
Marsha Hunt
Kent Taylor
Robert Cummings
Harry Carey
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Deputy District Attorney Douglas "Hotseat" Goodwin, who uses circumstantial evidence to win his cases, has a 100% success rate for convictions, of which 90% result in executions. After Douglas argues with his estranged wife Muriel, who refuses to divorce him so that he can marry his secretary, Claire Patterson, Muriel attempts to fend off a jewel thief and is shot and killed. Douglas, who is still in the house, finds the gun and shoots the thief, who escapes. Due to circumstantial evidence, Douglas is convicted of Muriel's murder and sentenced to be executed. On death row he meets Jimmy Ellis, for whom he had previously obtained a death sentence while he was still firm in his belief in capital punishment. Although all the other convicts hate Douglas, Jimmy befriends him, and Douglas is deeply moved when Jimmy dies in the electric chair. In the meantime, investigator Jerry Welch, who is also in love with Claire, searches for the missing thief. Claire, finally recognizing Jerry's integrity, falls in love with him, but remains committed to helping Douglas. Claire travels to the capitol to help Senator Nash put a bill through Congress that would repeal capital punishment. On the eve of his execution, Douglas is allowed to speak against capital punishment to the senate. Jerry and his detectives find the thief, John "Twitchy" Burke, whose underworld doctor has the bullet from the gun that killed Muriel. With this evidence, Douglas is given a last minute reprieve just as Senator Nash's bill is approved by the Senate. Douglas, aware that Claire is in love with Jerry, gives his blessings to their union and returns to the D. A.'s office with renewed vigor as an investigator.
Director
James Hogan
Cast
Paul Kelly
Marsha Hunt
Kent Taylor
Robert Cummings
Harry Carey
Bernadene Hayes
Joseph Sawyer
Dewitt Jennings
Russell Hicks
Jonathan Hale
Rollo Lloyd
Paul Fix
Sam Flint
Hilda Vaughn
George Irving
Priscilla Lawson
Arthur Loft
Ben F. Hendricks
Frank Marlowe
Martin Lamont
O. G. "dutch" Hendrian
Milburn Stone
Walter Long
J. P. Mcgowan
Jack Raymond
P. E. "tiny" Newland
Frank O'connor
Charles R. Moore
Ralf Harolde
Fred Kohler
Matty Fain
Ward Bond
Sam Tong
Bob Perry
Jack Perrin
Charles Mcmurphy
Walter Mcgrail
John Carroll
Thomas Jackson
Louis Mason
Lee Phelps
Torben Meyer
Kenneth Harlan
Bruce Mitchell
Bob Mckenzie
Rolfe Sedan
De Wolf Hopper
Frank Losee Jr.
George Chandler
Al Hill
Frank Rowan
Nick Lukats
Frederick Burton
Ivan "dusty" Miller
Hooper Atchley
Harry C. Bradley
Arthur Stuart Hull
William Worthington
Harry Bailey
Ralph Lewis
Larry Steers
Phillips Smalley
Arthur Van Slyke
Eddie Dunn
Kitty Mchugh
James P. Burtis
Selmer Jackson
Frank Mayo
James Conlin
James Morton
Susanne Willa
Mae Busch
Harry Tyler
Churchill Ross
Edwin Stanley
Harry Hayden
Fay Holden
Glen Belt
Irene Bennett
Ethel Clayton
Terry Ray
Gloria Williams
Crew
A. M. Botsford
John Bright
Fritz Collings
John Cope
Hans Dreier
A. E. Freudeman
Charles Hisserich
Chandler House
Daniel Keefe
William Lebaron
Brian Marlow
Boris Morros
Hans Radon
Madeleine Ruthven
Henry Sharp
Robert Tasker
Adolph Zukor
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of the film was The Turning Point. According to Screen Achievements Bulletin, the screenplay was developed by Madeleine Ruthven and Brian Marlow from an original story by John Bright and Robert Tasker although all four writers are given screenplay credit onscreen.
