MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

LeonLouisRicci Early WB "Pulled from the Headlines" Story that in this Case the "Headlines" were Literally the Gist of the Movie. This is One of those Newspaper Exposes Popular in the Early Thirties when "Print" was The Thing. Gangsters could be Exposed and Brought Down by "The Press" that could Alert Authorities and Stir Public Outrage. "Crusaders" was a Term Often Used to Describe those Pushing to Remove Vice and Murder from the Streets.In this One, Silent Star Richard Bartholomew, Regis Toomey, and Fay Wray are the Headliners with Clark Gable (in his fourth film) Supporting. The Film has its Moments of Intrigue Concerning Payoffs and Gangs, Crime Reporters and Ethics. There is Quite a Contrast here from the Spit-Fire Dialogs that were a Trademark of the Genre and Bartholomew's Slow Delivery and Stiff Performance may put Some to Sleep. But it is a Relief from the Usual Machine Gun Spouting that was Routine at the Time.Regis Toomey is, well, Breezy as Breezy the Third Wheel in this Triangle and Fay Wray has that Pleasant Voice and Delivery and is Filmed Quite Cute. Clark Gable, some say, Steals the Show but His Character here doesn't do much Except Maybe in a Scene or Two, and is OK but Surely Nothing Special.There are some Pre-Code Interest like an Unrepentant Protagonist and Pre-Marital Overnighting, but Not Much Else. Overall, Based on a True Story and with Enough Interest to Recommend, this One is Not a Must See but is Worth a Watch.

audiemurph I know that Richard Barthelmess is not everyone's cup of tea, when it comes to sound pictures. Yes, his pace is always slower than that of the actors around him. When in dialogue with other characters, he always waits two full beats before speaking (watch for that, it's quite unique to him).But I like him a lot. In an era dominated by fast talkers, like the great James Cagney and E.G. Robinson, I frankly enjoy the change of pace. More than that, Barthelmess has an exceedingly pleasing gentle nature (again contrary to the more aggressive stars of the era), but best of all are those deep-set brooding eyes of his. He may be the best brooder in all of film history. And he does a lot of brooding in "The Finger Points".I wonder if Clark Gable, another fast-talker, felt agitated in his many dialogues with Barthelmess, having to always wait those extra few seconds to say his next line.A strong supporting cast make this a fun and quick little film. Note that Barthelmess's "Breck" is named after two Confederate heroes, Robert E. Lee and John Breckenridge; probably accidental was naming the managing editor of the newspaper "Wheeler" after another Confederate General, but of cavalry.Regis Toomey is particularly interesting as a man in love with Fay Wray, but who loses her to Barthelmess. It is pleasing to see his character stay true in friendship to them, rather than let bitterness control him. And it is ironic that he never finds out in the end the role he played in Barthelmess's death.Look out also for the many scenes in which the camera interestingly moves backward for a lengthy distance as the characters move towards the audience. Quite clever and interesting as well.

kidboots Contrary to what a lot of people say I think Richard Barthelemess's career was really boosted by the talkies - he was a real success story!! He had an inner spiritual quality noticed by D.W. Griffith and exploited in films like "Broken Blossoms" and "Tol'able David" and he gave beautiful performances. Even though, in "Weary River", an early talkie, he played a singing convict, it proved he could talk and his old sensitivity shone through. An added aloofness made him right at home as soldiers who come home from the war cynical and battered, all at sea in a world that has left them behind ("The Last Flight" (1931) and "Heroes For Sale" (1933)) and as a country hick who takes on the plantation owners ("The Cabin in the Cotton" (1932)). His popularity lasted for at least a few years and he was No. 6 in the popularity polls in 1931. "The Finger Points" is based on the career of Jake Lingle, a "leg man" - someone employed by a newspaper who goes from place to place looking for crime stories. He was initially hailed as a hero, after his death in 1931, but it was later revealed he was involved in racketeering with Al Capone. Talk about a movie "plucked from today's headlines"!!!Breckenridge Lee (Barthelemess) is an eager reporter from Savannah with a letter of recommendation to "The Press", the most prestigious newspaper in the city. At first he is pretty wet behind the ears but with the help of Marcia (could Fay Wray look any more beautiful) and Breezy (the always dependable Regis Toomey) he manages to get through without making too big a dill of himself. When "The Press" declares war on crime Lee becomes a crusader and is given an assignment to investigate "The Sphinx Club", a gambling house that is a front for the mob. Lee approaches it with gusto but Marcia and Breezy are horrified that such a "baby" should be given such a dangerous assignment as his first story.Unlike the other reporters who treat the crusading as a joke his zealousness gets "The Sphinx Club" raided and sees him beaten up by two thugs. He has already been offered a bribe by Haines' offsider Louie (Clark Gable) and of course he refuses, but when his medical bills come in and the paper refuses to help out it looks as though he will turn traitor!!! 1931 was an astonishing year for Clark Gable - he appeared in 12 features, from a basic walk on as Anita Page's righteous husband in "The Easiest Way" to the rough gangster who got to shove Norma Shearer around in "A Free Soul". As Photoplay commented at the time - "He's everybody's big moment"!! "The Finger Points" was definitely a high point for him!!Lee soon has the gangsters running scared with his threats of exposing them unless they do things his way. The "No. 1" - a faceless gangster, seen only from the back has given Lee $100,000 to keep his newest gambling house "The Waverley" out of the newspapers but - you guessed it, Breezy, who has been given a pep talk by Marcia about working hard and trying to amount to someone, has heard a rumor and is eager to expose "The Waverley" and all it's crookedness on the front page!!The movie ends on an ambiguous note - the nation mourns Lee as a martyr and Breezy gives one of those sentimental speeches about what a square guy Lee was and how he wouldn't be on the take etc, however, the gangsters think they know better, as Louie spits in disgust "A Martyr"!!! Even though Marcia doesn't want to have anything to do with him, once Lee gives her the old "I'm not working with them - I'm trying to expose them" speech she is quite happy to forgive and forget and doesn't insist he gives all his ill gotten gains to the local orphanage!!!

wes-connors Savannah, Georgia born newspaper reporter Richard Barthelmess (as Breckenridge "Breck" Lee) takes a job at a "big city" (presumably Chicago) publication called "The Press". Right away, Mr. Barthelmess becomes a crusading investigator. Working for a measly $35 per week, he finds romantic compensation with pretty newspaperwoman Fay Wray (as Marcia Collins). Regis Toomey (as Charlie "Breezy" Russell) provides friendly competition. Alas, Barthelmess' investigative story gets him severely beat up by gangsters. After he gets out of the hospital and can't pay the bills, Barthelmess is tempted by the local crime lord's payroll, alongside tall gangster Clark Gable (as Louis Blanco). Never too convincing.***** The Finger Points (4/11/31) John Francis Dillon ~ Richard Barthelmess, Fay Wray, Clark Gable, Regis Toomey