The Amazing Exploits of the Clutching Hand (1936)

A scientist discovers a formula for making synthetic gold.

Director:

Albert Herman

Writers:

Arthur B. Reeve (novel), George M. Merrick (adaptation)

Stars:

Jack Mulhall, Rex Lease, Mae Busch

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Mulhall	...	Craig Kennedy
Rex Lease	...	Walter Jameson
Mae Busch	...	Mrs. Paul Gironda
Ruth Mix	...	Shirley McMillan
William Farnum	...	Gordon Gaunt
Marion Shilling	...	Verna Gironda
Bryant Washburn	...	Denton
Robert Frazer	...	Dr. Paul Gironda [Chs.1,4,8,13-15]
Gaston Glass	...	Louis Bouchard
Mahlon Hamilton	...	Montgomery [Chs.1,2,5,6]
Robert Walker	...	Joe Mitchell
Yakima Canutt	...	Number Eight / Sailor Brawler
Joseph W. Girard	...	Lawyer Cromwell [Chs.1-3,6,7,15]
Frank Leigh	...	Maj. Courtney Wickham
Jon Hall	...	Frank Hobart (as Charles Locher)

Storyline

This Weiss Serials Production film, ("Presented" by George M. Merrick who also co-wrote the screenplay and was the production manager), with the working title of "The Amazing Exploits of the Clutching Hand" but the actual release title on the film and all the printed material related to it was "The Clutching Hand", was loosely based on a novel by "Craig Kennedy" creator Arthur B. Reeve, and was also released as a feature in addition to the 15 chapter serial, both of which were originally distributed by Stage and Screen Productions, Inc. In Chapter 1, ("Who is the Clutching Hand?"), Doctor Paul Gironda announces he has discovered a formula for the manufacture of synthetic gold. The International Research Foundation agrees to financially help him develop his formula. Just before the Board of Directors arrive at Gironda's laboratory to witness his achievement, he is heard screaming, and mysteriously disappears before help arrives. Newspaper reporter Walter Jameson, who is engaged to ...

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Plot Keywords:

shanghaiing | phony mystic | seaman | serial | suspicion | 

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Taglines:

a Craig Kennedy Thriller In Fifteen Chapters

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 April 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Clutching Hand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Weiss Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

305 min (15 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After Charles Locher changed his name and found fame as Jon Hall, this serial was re-issued with a hastily prepared art card reading "Starring JON HALL" crudely spliced into the opening credits.

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Goofs

During the barroom fight in chapter one, it is quite obvious that some of the cheers and shouts from the onlookers (particularly the man shouting "Oh boy!") have been sped-up.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Warden [Ch.1]: [gives Mitchell a handful of cash] Here you are, Mitchell. You're going out into the world a free man. I hope you become a useful and law-abiding member of society.
Joe Mitchell: Aw, cut out the lecture, Warden.
Warden [Ch.1]: Bitterness won't get you anywhere, Mitchell. Now that you squared your debt...
Joe Mitchell: My debt ain't squared... not by a long shot. I got a lot of collectin' to do.

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Connections

Edited into The Amazing Exploits of the Clutching Hand (1936)

User Reviews

Not Bad For a Poverty Row Indie!

"The Clutching Hand" is an above average independently produced serial. It has some excellent production values including set pieces such as the laboratory, the saloon and those oh so sharp vintage period cars. The direction by Albert Harmon is crisp, as he keeps the action flowing.

The "McGuffin" of this story is a formula for making gold developed by scientist Dr. Paul Gironda (Robert Frazier). Shortly after announcing its development, Gironda is kidnapped. Soon it is discovered that "The Clutching Hand" the shadowy villain with the maniacal laugh is responsible.

Famous detective Craig Kennedy (Jack Mulhall - not your usual handsome dashing hero) is brought into the case. Along with ace reporter Walter Jameson (Rex Lease) they set about to solve the case. They try in vain to find Dr. Gironda and to learn the identify of the Clutching Hand. As in all serials, there are many suspects, chief among whom are the Board of Directors of the International Research Foundation.

After making narrow escapes from the usual serial traps and pitfalls, Kennedy finally learns the identity of "The Clutching Hand" and solves the case in the final chapter. The identity of the villain caught me completely off guard.

Others in the cast include Mae Busch as Gironda's wife, Marion Schilling as their daughter Verna, William Farnum as Gaunt, Kennedy's chief, Ruth Mix as Gironda's secretary, Shirley McMillan and Franklyn Farnum as Gironda's assistant Nicky.

Lining up with the bad guys are Yakima Canutt, Robert Kortman, Dick Alexander, Tom London, Charles Lochner, Gaston Glass and Bryant Washburn. You can be sure that Canutt had a hand in the many fight scenes and other stunts.

William and Frankyn Farnum were not brothers as some believe, in fact they were not even related. William and Dustin Farnum were brothers, whose careers dated back to the early silent days. Charles Lochner would shortly change his name to Jon Hall and enjoy a lengthy career as a leading man.