"The Clutching Hand" is an above average independently produced serial. It has some excellent production values including set pieces such as the laboratory, the saloon and those oh so sharp vintage period cars. The direction by Albert Harmon is crisp, as he keeps the action flowing.
The "McGuffin" of this story is a formula for making gold developed by scientist Dr. Paul Gironda (Robert Frazier). Shortly after announcing its development, Gironda is kidnapped. Soon it is discovered that "The Clutching Hand" the shadowy villain with the maniacal laugh is responsible.
Famous detective Craig Kennedy (Jack Mulhall - not your usual handsome dashing hero) is brought into the case. Along with ace reporter Walter Jameson (Rex Lease) they set about to solve the case. They try in vain to find Dr. Gironda and to learn the identify of the Clutching Hand. As in all serials, there are many suspects, chief among whom are the Board of Directors of the International Research Foundation.
After making narrow escapes from the usual serial traps and pitfalls, Kennedy finally learns the identity of "The Clutching Hand" and solves the case in the final chapter. The identity of the villain caught me completely off guard.
Others in the cast include Mae Busch as Gironda's wife, Marion Schilling as their daughter Verna, William Farnum as Gaunt, Kennedy's chief, Ruth Mix as Gironda's secretary, Shirley McMillan and Franklyn Farnum as Gironda's assistant Nicky.
Lining up with the bad guys are Yakima Canutt, Robert Kortman, Dick Alexander, Tom London, Charles Lochner, Gaston Glass and Bryant Washburn. You can be sure that Canutt had a hand in the many fight scenes and other stunts.
William and Frankyn Farnum were not brothers as some believe, in fact they were not even related. William and Dustin Farnum were brothers, whose careers dated back to the early silent days. Charles Lochner would shortly change his name to Jon Hall and enjoy a lengthy career as a leading man.
