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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shirley McMillan (i.e. Ruth Mix) drives a 1936 Ford coupe.

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Goofs

In Chapter: 4, near the beginning, Craig (Jack Mulhall) is fighting with a sailor at the top of the stairs. Before Craig even hits him, the man backflips over the railing.

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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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Crazy Credits

15 Thunderbolt Chapters

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Connections

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

User Reviews

so bad, it's worth seeing

This is one of the most confusing serials ever made, but everyone in it takes it so seriously that it becomes fun and I gave it a 5. Jack Mulhall was a horrible actor who appeared in gobs of serials and for some reason has been given a starring role here. He never met a line he couldn't overemote. You expect him to yell out, "Hark!" at any moment. Rex Lease and Marion Shilling are charming as the young couple, however. And where else can you see legendary Mae Busch (thank you, Joe Franklin) and Yakima Canutt in the same video? There are plenty of other serial veterans in this mish-mosh of a story. If you can find any continuity and logic in it, you're a better man than I. However, if you're into old serials, as I am, you can have fun with this.

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 (International Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1