The Hidden Hand (Warner Bros.) (1942)

WARNER BROS. CAMPAIGN PLAN (Lead Story) Lhrill-Filied Film Coming to Strand One of the most spine-tingling mystery films ever to thrill an audience will make its local debut this Friday at the Strand Theatre when Warner Bros.’ “The Hidden Hand” opens. It tells the story of an eccentric old woman who uses her insane brother to terrorize her household, only to get more horror than she bargained for. The starring roles are played by Craig Stevens and Elisabeth Fraser, as a young attorney and his financee. The eccentric old woman is played by Cecil Cunningham, while that of her insane brother is portrayed by Milton Parsons. Parsons, whose escape from an insane asylum was engineered by his sister, does more than just walk over his bounds and commits murders and attempted killings. But that isn’t all. Another killer, even more cunning steps into the scene, the identity of whom will prove a surprise to the most ardent mystery fan. Willie Best lends a comic touch to the film as a servant who always seems to discover the body, which is certainly the last thing in the world he would ever want to do. Others in the stellar supporting cast include Frank Wilcox, Ruth Ford and Julie Bishop. “The Hidden Hand” was directed by Ben Stoloff. The exciting scenario, which was written by Anthony Coldewey and Raymond Schrock was based on a play by Rufus King. (Opening-Day Story) Murder, Comedy In ‘Hidden Hand’ Thrills, murder and laughs are the ingredients that make up the new Warner Bros. film, “The Hidden Hand,” which opens at the Strand Theatre today. In the leading roles are Craig Stevens and Elisabeth Fraser. Stevens plays the part of a young lawyer who is the house onest of an eccentric old woman (Cecil Cunningham) who uses her insane brother to terrorize her other relatives. She knows that they are all waiting for her death so that they might benefit through her will. After arranging for her brother’s (Milton Parson) escape from an insane asylum, she awaits the arrival of her relatives, anticipating great amusement when they meet her brother. But the result is not in the least amusing. For her brother actually commits murder, and in addition another killer makes its presence known. By taking advantage of the fact than an insane person is on the loose, this other person terrorizes the guests and yet remains unknown by placing the blame for all the crimes on the maniacal brother. Willie Best, in the role of a servant, walks around with a constant shaking of the knees and chattering of teeth, as who wouldn’t in that place, but he has an additional reason. It seems to be poor Willie’s luck to be around just when the killer strikes, and Willie doesn’t like that at all. “The Hidden Hand” was written for the screen by Anthony Coldewey and Raymond Schrock from a play by Rufus King. Ben Stoloff directed. ‘Hidden Hand’ Opens Next at Strand Combining a happy blend of thrills and comedy, “The Hidden Hand,’ Warner Bros.’ adventure picture, opens Friday at the Strand Theatre. Cast in a story-ful of intrigue are Craig Stevens, Elisabeth Fraser and Julie Bishop. “The Hidden Hand” tells the tale of an eccentric spinster who uses her insane brother to terrorize her family, only to get more horror than she bargained for. The picture was written for the screen by Anthony Coldewey and Raymond Schrock from a play by Rufus King. Ben Stoloff directed. Mat 201—30c Frank Wilcox, Elisabeth Fraser, Julie Bishop, Roland Drew and Craig Stevens are seen in the Strand Theatre’s next attraction, “The Hidden Hand,” the new Warner Bros. mystery-thriller. Country of origin U. S. A. Copyright 1942 Vitagraph, Inc. All G-SHEET 05 3 3% Other Accessories on Back Page ‘The Hidden Hand’ Packs Its Quota Of Terror Devices As a background for terror, Hollywood has never been able to find any device more effective than the oldest of them all—a storm, with lightning flashing, thunder crashing and rain pouring down in sheets. That is one of the reasons why there is joy in the ranks of the studio plumbers, electricians and special effects men when a studio schedules a picture in that general category which has come to be described as the “horror film.” They know that there will be plenty of work. Those technicians at the Warner Bros. studio looked forward to a veritable field day when they were acquainted with the nature of the script of “The Hidden Hand,” the chilling mystery film featuring Craig Stevens, Julie Bishop and Elisa rth Fraser that opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre. They were not disappointed, for virtually all of the action of the new Warner thriller takes place while a violent storm is raging. New Strand Fiim Hair-Raising Tale Strand Theatre audiences sat spellbound yesterday as_ they watched the thrilling new mystery film, “The Hidden Hand” during its initial run. It-is a hair-raising tale of a maniacal murderer who terrorized an entire household. In the starring roles are Craig Stevens and Elisabeth Fraser. Stevens is a young attorney for an eccentric old woman who uses her insane brother’ to frighten her other relatives, whom she dislikes because they are after her money. Cecil Cunningham gives a convincing performance as the strange old woman and Milton Parsons as the insane brother is positively eerie. But all is not abject horor without comic relief. There is the character played by Willie Best (as only Willie can play it), that of a scared servant. Things become more mysterious when another murderer joins the scene and tries to place the blame on the insane brother. Ben Stoloff, who directed the film, did a wonderful job in building an air of suspense. “The Hidden Hand” was adap CAST OF CHARACTERS Peter Thorne Craig Stevens Mary Winfield..Elisabeth Fraser Rita Julie Bishop Willie Best Frank Wilcox Cecil Cunningham Ruth Ford John Channing....Milton Parsons Walter Channing ..Roland Drew Horace Channing Tom Stevenson Marian Hall SYNOPSIS (Not for Publication) The Channing family assembles to hear the edict of Lorinda Channing, an unscrupulous spinster, that none will share in her estate except her secretary, Mary. The Channings scheme to outwit Lorinda while she in turn counterplots against her family. Events develop in a series of mysterious incidents and killings up to a thrilling climax. (Running Time: 67 mins.) PRODUCTION STAFF Directed by BEN STOLOFF Screen Play by Anthony Coldewey and Raymond Schrock; Based on a Play by Rufus King; Directer of Photography, Henry Sharp, A.S.C.; Film Editor, Harold McLernon; Art Director, Stanley Fleischer; Dialogue Director, Harry Seymour; Sound by Everett A. Brown; Set Decorations, George James Hopkins; Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore; Gowns by Milo Anderson. Turn Here for Publicity Stories About the Stars ——~> Mat 101—15c Elisabeth Fraser and Craig Stevens in “The Hidden Hand,” Warner film at the Strand. ted to the screen py Anthony Coldwey and Raymond Schrock from a play by Rufus King. BILLING Warner Bros. 50% Pictures, Inc. Presents 5% ‘THE HIDDEN HAND? ‘00% with CRAIG STEVENS ELISABETH FRASER JULIE BISHOP 20% FRANK WILCOX RUTH FORD WILLIE BEST 10% Directed by BEN STOLOFF 25% Screen Play by Anthony Coldewey and Raymond Schrock . 3% Based on a Play by Rufus King 2% A Warner Bros.-First National Picture 5% rights reserved. 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