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IMDbPro

The Hidden Hand

  • 19421942
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
564
YOUR RATING
Elisabeth Fraser, Craig Stevens, and Milton Parsons in The Hidden Hand (1942)
  • Comedy
  • Horror
  • Mystery
Peter Thorne (Craig Stevens)is a young attorney who works for an eccentric old woman, Lorinda Channing (Cecil Cunningham), who uses her insane brother, John Channing (Milton Parsons), to fri... Read allPeter Thorne (Craig Stevens)is a young attorney who works for an eccentric old woman, Lorinda Channing (Cecil Cunningham), who uses her insane brother, John Channing (Milton Parsons), to frighten her other relatives because they are after her money. Further complications arrive w... Read allPeter Thorne (Craig Stevens)is a young attorney who works for an eccentric old woman, Lorinda Channing (Cecil Cunningham), who uses her insane brother, John Channing (Milton Parsons), to frighten her other relatives because they are after her money. Further complications arrive when another murderer arrives on the scene and plants the blame on John Channing.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
564
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Benjamin Stoloff
  • Writers
    • Anthony Coldeway(screenplay)
    • Raymond L. Schrock(screenplay)
    • Rufus King(play "Invitation to a Murder")
  • Stars
    • Craig Stevens
    • Elisabeth Fraser
    • Julie Bishop
Top credits
  • Director
    • Benjamin Stoloff
  • Writers
    • Anthony Coldeway(screenplay)
    • Raymond L. Schrock(screenplay)
    • Rufus King(play "Invitation to a Murder")
  • Stars
    • Craig Stevens
    • Elisabeth Fraser
    • Julie Bishop
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Willie Best, Elisabeth Fraser, and Milton Parsons in The Hidden Hand (1942)
    Milton Parsons in The Hidden Hand (1942)
    Elisabeth Fraser and Craig Stevens in The Hidden Hand (1942)
    The Hidden Hand (1942)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Craig Stevens
    Craig Stevens
    • Peter Thorneas Peter Thorne
    Elisabeth Fraser
    Elisabeth Fraser
    • Mary Winfieldas Mary Winfield
    Julie Bishop
    Julie Bishop
    • Rita Channingas Rita Channing
    Willie Best
    Willie Best
    • Eustis the Chauffeuras Eustis the Chauffeur
    Frank Wilcox
    Frank Wilcox
    • Dr. Lawrence Channingas Dr. Lawrence Channing
    Cecil Cunningham
    Cecil Cunningham
    • Lorinda Channingas Lorinda Channing
    Ruth Ford
    Ruth Ford
    • Estelle Channingas Estelle Channing
    Milton Parsons
    Milton Parsons
    • John Channingas John Channing
    Roland Drew
    Roland Drew
    • Walter Channingas Walter Channing
    Tom Stevenson
    • Horace Channingas Horace Channing
    Marian Hall
    • Nurse Eleanor Stevensas Nurse Eleanor Stevens
    Inez Gay
    • Hattieas Hattie
    • (as Inez Gary)
    Kam Tong
    Kam Tong
    • Malloas Mallo
    Monte Blue
    Monte Blue
    • Matthews, the Undertakeras Matthews, the Undertaker
    • (uncredited)
    Wade Boteler
    Wade Boteler
    • Sheriff Selbyas Sheriff Selby
    • (uncredited)
    Glen Cavender
    Glen Cavender
    • Detectiveas Detective
    • (uncredited)
    George Guhl
    George Guhl
    • Deputy Sheriff Mike Mullinsas Deputy Sheriff Mike Mullins
    • (uncredited)
    Creighton Hale
    Creighton Hale
    • The Coroneras The Coroner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Benjamin Stoloff
    • Writers
      • Anthony Coldeway(screenplay)
      • Raymond L. Schrock(screenplay)
      • Rufus King(play "Invitation to a Murder")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      (1934). Stage Play: Invitation to a Murder. Mystery/melodrama. Written by Rufus King. Directed by A.H. Van Buren. Theatre Masque: 17 May 1934- Jul 1934 (closing date unknown/53 performances). Cast: Walter Abel (as "Dr. Linton"), Humphrey Bogart (as "Horatio Channing"), Edgar Charles, Sherling Oliver, Walter Plinge, Jane Seymour, James Shelburne, Gale Sondergaard (as "Lorinda Channing"), William Valentine, Juan Varro, Daphne Warren-Wilson. Produced by Ben Stein. Note: Filmed by Warner Bros. as The Hidden Hand (1942).
    • Quotes

      Detective: I almost remembered where I'd seen you before, and it wasn't London.

      John Channing: Are you sure about that?

      Detective: Well it might've been London, except I was never there.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Curtiz (2018)

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    original, comic and scary
    Possibly my comments won't fit with other viewers' comments as I saw this film in 1942 when it was issued, and I was 7 years old.

    As a 7 year old I found it scary, interesting, and sometimes comic.

    I realize 62 years later the film would probably not frighten me now in the least. I think the story was original. Milton Parsons I remember well. His funereal manner was fascinating and his appearance is vivid in my memory. I remember him as a good little cameo actor from the 1940s, as well as one unfortunate, Rondo Hatton, who was not an actor but appeared as a monster due to his acromegaly. Bring back the films of the 1940s and early 1950s!
    helpful•33
    2
    • harrisfalk
    • May 28, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Noche de terror
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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