Cinema: The New Pictures: Apr. 6, 1931

The Finger Points (First National). Based on last summer's murder of Alfred "Jake" Lingle, racketeer-reporter for the Chicago Tribune, this picture presents Richard Barthelmess as a cool but callow newshawk who grows rich by blackmailing gangsters. Disappointed in the rewards consequent upon his first scoop, the reporter offers to conceal further news of illegal enterprises if their promoters share the profits with him. When another reporter gets the story of a gangland gambling layout, gangsters blame the racketeer-reporter, perforate him. Routine exaggerations—of a...

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