The Finger of Justice
Cast & Crew
Louis William Chaudet
Crane Wilbur
Harry Barrows
Jane O'rourke
Mae Gaston
Leota Lorraine
Film Details
Synopsis
In order to further his own political and financial aims, political boss William Randall allows corruption to flourish in his city. Minister Noel Delaney, however, declares war on the "system," aided by his college sweetheart, Mary. Flip, an underworld thug, lures Randall's daughter Betty into a notorious underworld resort, unaware of her identity. Through Mary, Delaney discovers Betty's whereabouts and rescues her. When Randall learns of the situation, he fights with Flip and is killed. With the population up in arms against the system, Delaney and Mary eventually work its downfall and clean up the city.
Director
Louis William Chaudet
Cast
Crane Wilbur
Harry Barrows
Jane O'rourke
Mae Gaston
Leota Lorraine
Beulah Booker
Velma Whitman
Jean Hathaway
John Oaker
Jack Lott
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The story of this film was based on actual incidents in the anti-vice campaign of the Rev. Paul Smith in San Francisco. One source suggests that Rev. Paul Smith wrote the scenario. The film was sponsored by Smith's church, several newspapers, and the Church of Strangers in New York. A special musical score was prepared for the film. The film was scheduled to open at the Lyric Theatre in New York on June 29, 1918, but because Commissioner Gilchrist of the Bureau of Licenses sent a warning that the Lyric Theater Company's license would be revoked if it exhibited the film, which the Commissioner thought was immoral, another film was shown in its place. Gilchrist was ordered to appear in court to show cause.
The film had its premiere in Washington, D.C., and in Seattle, Washington on July 21, 1918, and was endorsed by Major Raymond Pullman, Superintendent of Police in Washington, D.C., and by Mayor Ole Hanson of Seattle. Film taken of Mayor Hanson welcoming Rev. Paul Smith was used as a prologue to showings of the film in the North West. The Finger of Justice was banned in Maryland by the Maryland State Board of Censors.
