Fingers (1941 film)

Fingers
Review spread in Picture Show (15 March 1941)[1]
Directed byHerbert Mason
Written byBrock Williams
Produced byA.M.Salomon
StarringClifford Evans
Leonora Corbett
Esmond Knight
CinematographyBasil Emmott
Music byJack Beaver
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros
Release date
  • 15 March 1941 (1941-03-15) (United Kingdom)
Running time
69 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£15,099[2]
Box office£886[2]

Fingers is a 1941 British second feature ('B')[3] drama film directed by Herbert Mason and starring Clifford Evans, Leonora Corbett and Esmond Knight.[4] It was written by Brock Williams and was produced by A.M.Salomon for Warner Bros.[5]

Plot

A London jeweller and fence for stolen goods falls in love and tries to reform.

Cast

Reception

Kine Weekly wrote: "During the few halts in its extravagant perambulation it shows that crime does pay. Its confused morality robs it of conviction. But novelettish as it is, it has mass appeal Its versatile by-play, attractive cast and ambitious technical presentation effectively cloak its lurid fundamentals. Reliable quota booking for the masses."[6]

Picturegoer wrote: "The novelettish plot is far-fetched and confused in thought, but there are some exciting and amusing incidents. Clifford Evans is suitably self-confident as the crooked hero, Fingers; Leonora Corbett has poise and polish as his high-society girl friend; and Elizabeth Scott is tender and appealing as his real sweetheart. Good supporting performances come from Edward Rigby, Roland Culver and Reginald Purdell."[7]

Picture Show wrote: "Although on the slow side, this British crook melodrama is interesting and has plenty of thrills. ... There are plenty of contrasts between the East End and its pubs and the West End and its cocktail bars, and both are convincing. Clifford Evans gives a slick portrayal as the ambitious 'fence' who returns to his East End after a fling in a society atmosphere, and he is well supported, with Reginald Purdell and Edward Rigby outstanding."[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Fingers". Picture Show. 44 (1142): 14. 15 March 1941. ProQuest 1880291428.
  2. ^ a b Steve Chibnall (2019) Hollywood-on-Thames: the British productions ofWarner Bros. – First National, 1931–1945, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, 39:4, 687-724, DOI: 10.1080/01439685.2019.1615292 at p 714
  3. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  4. ^ "Fingers". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  5. ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | Fingers (1940)". 17 January 2009. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Fingers". Kine Weekly. Vol. 285, no. 1754. 28 November 1940. p. 18. ProQuest 2339682936.
  7. ^ "Fingers". Picturegoer. 10: 16. 2 March 1941. ProQuest 1771141539.