The Finger Points (Warner Bros.) (1931)

Every Possible Aid Is Incorporated In This Press Sheet! Use Them All. THE FINGER POINTS TO A GREAT STORY; REPORTER BETRAYS PAPER, BELIEVED TO BE A MARTYR, REVEALED AS RACKETEER By JOHN MONK SAUNDERS (Famous author of “The Dawn Patrol,” writes “The Finger Points,” sensational story of gangdom, starring Richard Barthelmess coming to the heatre next.) c (Unusual Feature) i had just finished telling an original story for the screen to 4 group of motion picture executives in a studio conference room. It had been, on my part, an anxious effort, since I was new to motion pictures, I faced a strange audience and the story was involved with plot and counter plot. Breathless at the end of the tale I waited apprehensfvely for an opinion. Without the slightest hesitation one of my hearers took the floor. “Gentlemen,” he declared in a full firm voice, “I have been connected with the theatre and with motion pictures for fifteen years. I have a right to believe that I know what I am talking about. The story you have heard does not belong in the field of amusement. It is, first of all, unreal, impossible to believe, depressing and morbid. I cannot believe that such a group of people as Mr. Saunders portrays ever . existed. Even if they did, I doubt if they behaved as Mr. Saunders has described. To attempt to film such characters will only result in, well— disaster. I wish to go on record, here and now, as opposed to the whole idea.” This.. weighty declaration landed with stunning force upon the head of the breathless story teller. I looked for the nearest door out. But, strangely enough a champion arose to defend the story. And in the ensuing discussion, several other champions appeared. What is more, they won out and the story was filmed. It turned out to be an astonishing Ce 28S edhe ame of the picture, just in case you are curious, was “The Legion of the Condemned.” A great truth broke over me as a result of this bewildering experience. Any story which instantly provokes violent enemies and hot adherents is an important story. The mere mention of the notorious criminz| case of the day as possible subjec material for a picture blew up ay mmediate storm of dissension in th studio. There were cries of “Eynamite! Hands off! Don’t touch!” These manifestations indi cated to me the presence of a highpowered story in the career of a certain famous big town reporter-racketeer. And sure enough, with Richard Barthelmess in the dramatic role of the fearless reporter who invaded the bullet-spattered dominions of the racketeers and levied toll upon them, the story has become a powerful picture. Taken right off the police blotter, told in terms of the new school of realism on the screen, played full up to the hilt by Barthelmess, the picture surpasses any figment of fiction. shake-down! A good story on the screen nowadays is as rare as a blue rose. To reach the screen, first of all, it must pass through an entire studio organiza#on. And once on the screen it must run the murderous gauntlet of the censor boards. It is easier to Dick’s pass a camel through the eye -of a powered! Sensational! Unneedle: than to slip an important story through a watchful studio staff. For forgettable! nowadays, if a story is important it is dangerous, and producers, thrice burned, sheer away from dangerous stories. It may violate some section of the code; arouse the wrath of great political or religious forces, or fall to ribbons later under the cenSOTS SCiSSOTrS. A writer for the screen is like a race horse in hobbles, or a dancer in lead boots. He is checked by countless limitations. Pure love is perhaps the only subject he may treat freely. If you don’t believe it, try telling a new story yourself to a group of film chiefs. They will fold up their ears and silently steal away leaving you talking to yourself. Your story isn’t new. But you’ve never seen it on the screen before? Well, if-it could be shown on the screen it would have appeared long ere now. THE FINGER’S ON YOU! 6¢¥/7 OU know too much! But you’ve made your last The story was worth a hundred grand to you, until you printed it. out — you’re through!” Here’s the real lowdown on a certain racketeering reporter who hid behind the shield of his profession, ‘Dare They Kill a Reporter?” greatest! A First National & Vitaphone Hit NO ADVANCE IN PRICES The reason you’ve never seen it is because it can’t be done. A screen writer’s only hope is to bring fresh treatment to a safe subject. Only once in a long while does such a story as “The Finger Points” reach the screen. The story of a reporter who betrays his paper, it was pointed out, a reporter who was buried a martyr and revealed a racketeer, might reflect upon the integrity of the honorable members of the newspaper profession. How, therefore could you expect a friendly reception from the press for such a picture? Well, if the subject is honestly treated on the screen, it should receive honest treatment at the hands of the newspaper critics. Why, come to think of it, I was a newspaper man once myself. "THE FING Faerie ‘ + Now it’s High The Story No Newspaper Dared Print! Cut No. 12 Cut 80c Mat 20c Fay Wray Sob Sister In “The Finger Points” (Current Reader) Fay Wray plays the role of Marcia Collins in “The Finger Points,” the First National production starring Richard Barthelmess now at the .... Theatre. Marcia Collins is a sob sister—whose function is to cover a story from the sentimental point of view with an appeal strictly to women readers. In the story of “The Finger Points,” Miss Wray’s desk chances to be next to Breck Lee’s (played by Barthelmess) and thus the acquaintance which develops into a romance is begun. The story is based on the life of a modern ecrimeking. WITH The Finger Points Talking Trailer THE FINGER POINTS at every patron of your theatre in this crackling, romantic, mea chine-gun tratler— THE FINGER POINTS with a@ command as dynamic as the one Barthelmess hears in the most vital crime expose of the times— THE FINGER POINTS and your patrons will obey by packing your house during the run of— THE FINGER POINTS ER POINTS | : L LARK GABLE est role. It took the combined genius of JOHN MONK SAUNDERS (author of “Dawn Patrol”) and W. R. BURNETT (who wrote “Little Caesar”) to give Barthelmess his great The racketeering Directed by reporter! JOHN FRANCIS DILLON