Fingers at the Window

1942
Approved
1h 20m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

1.2K

YOUR RATING

Lew Ayres and Laraine Day in Fingers at the Window (1942)

In Chicago, an unemployed actor aims to solve the mystery concerning a string of ax murders, apparently committed by a lunatic.

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Film Noir Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

An unemployed actor in Chicago aims to solve the mystery concerning a string of axe murders, apparently committed by a "lunatic".An unemployed actor in Chicago aims to solve the mystery concerning a string of axe murders, apparently committed by a "lunatic".An unemployed actor in Chicago aims to solve the mystery concerning a string of axe murders, apparently committed by a "lunatic".

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

1.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

User reviews34

Featured review

6/10

a few too many clueless people

An axe wielding serial killer is on the loose with six murders in Chicago. A shadowy figure pushes a bird seller to kill with an axe. Struggling actor Oliver Duffy (Lew Ayres) notices the suspicious bird seller stalking Edwina Brown (Laraine Day). After more attempts, he suspects someone is targeting her by hypnotizing different people to commit the crimes.

The basic outlandish premise is possible serial killer hunt material. There is a lot of stupidity coming from the police and media. It's much more than the usual trope. It's not the sharpest crime drama but it is better than the standard during that era. Mostly, I like Duffy and I like Edwina despite some cluelessness. Quite frankly, there are a few too many clueless characters in the movie. It actually gets to be funny. Overall, I like this but it's not winning any awards.

SnoopyStyle
Sep 11, 2019
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Trivia
Lew Ayres changed his military status from "conscientious-objector" to "non-combatant" in April 1942 causing great consternation at M-G-M, which already re-shot the "Dr Kildare" film he had just completed, removing him from the cast completely. By the time this film was released, the furor had died down and it opened without incident. In fact, one reviewer noted the business was brisk, possibly because of Ayres' honesty and courage in jeopardizing his movie career for the sake of his principles.

Goofs
When Oliver Duffy is shoved onto the elevated railroad track, there's enough space between the railroad ties for him to jump down. But when seen from below as he's clinging to one of the ties, there's no room for anyone to jump through. The ties are just inches apart.

Quotes
Edwina Brown: It was in Paris that I first saw through men.
Oliver Duffy: Oh, they're most transparent there.

Connections
Featured in Pulp Cinema (2001)

Soundtracks
Over the Rainbow
(1939) (uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Whistled by Lew Ayres (whistling dubbed by Robert Bradford)