The Hidden Hand (1942)

Peter Thorne (Craig Stevens)is a young attorney who works for an eccentric old woman, Lorinda Channing (Cecil Cunningham), who uses her insane brother, John Channing (Milton Parsons), to ... See full summary »

Director:

Benjamin Stoloff

Writers:

Anthony Coldeway (screenplay), Raymond L. Schrock (screenplay),

Stars:

Craig Stevens, Elisabeth Fraser, Julie Bishop

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Craig Stevens	...	Peter Thorne
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Mary Winfield
Julie Bishop	...	Rita Channing
Willie Best	...	Eustis the Chauffeur
Frank Wilcox	...	Dr. Lawrence Channing
Cecil Cunningham	...	Lorinda Channing
Ruth Ford	...	Estelle Channing
Milton Parsons	...	John Channing
Roland Drew	...	Walter Channing
Tom Stevenson	...	Horace Channing
Marian Hall	...	Nurse Eleanor Stevens
Inez Gay	...	Hattie (as Inez Gary)
Kam Tong	...	Mallo

Storyline

Peter Thorne (Craig Stevens)is a young attorney who works for an eccentric old woman, Lorinda Channing (Cecil Cunningham), who uses her insane brother, John Channing (Milton Parsons), to frighten her other relatives because they are after her money. Further complications arrive when another murderer arrives on the scene and plants the blame on John Channing.

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Plot Keywords:

wealth | money | killer | confession | scheme | 

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Taglines:

HORRORS AND HOWLS! (original poster- all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1942 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Attempted Horror at its worst!

Boy oh boy, this was a howler with some of the worst over-acting you will ever see, and to me the highlight was the appearance of Willie Best as the chauffeur while the rest of the cast was abysmal in their acting talents. Made on a shoestring, and looking it, every little diabolical cliché was used, with the "insane" brother and sister planning on removing all the "hangers-on" after their fortune. Seems longer than it was, but I did see it on late night TV, and maybe I was overtired. If it comes your way, and you decide to have a look, at least stay there for the scene where our two "stars" jointly break into maniacal laughter - the best part of the movie.