The Pointed Finger
Walter Armstrong is released from prison and finds it impossible to secure work. As he renews his promise to his wife that henceforth he will travel the straight road they are interrupted by a call from Chug, a former cellmate, who tries to influence Armstrong to join him again. Unable to persuade him, Chug leaves, and Armstrong, discovering an advertisement for a bookkeeper, goes out again. Armstrong frankly bares his past to Allison, the general manager, who informs him he has nothing for him. At this moment Mrs. Allison happens to enter her husband's office, and pleads with him to give the young man a chance. Allison is obdurate. As he stands gazing idly about, Chug jumps from a moving limousine, and running past him, tosses a purse into his hand. A policeman is following on his trail. Armstrong gazes wonderingly at the article, then walks away. Returning home, Armstrong is surprised to find Ruth in conversation with Mrs. Allison, but before he can explain matters, an officer enters and charges him with the theft. Mrs. Allison promises to befriend him, and through her husband's influence secures his release, also a position with Reeves & Company. Some months elapse and Armstrong is now chief clerk in the concern. Horace Reeves, president of the company, is disturbed at learning that someone in his employ has been accepting freight rebates. That night Allison phones Lee, the A.D.R.R. freight agent. Hurriedly departing for his office, he is soon in consultation with Lee and Chug, the expert forger, who signs Armstrong's name to a damaging letter. The following morning Armstrong is accused of the crime, and knowing Allison to be the guilty one, decides to suffer in his stead. Jimmie, the office boy, cleaning about Armstrong's desk, discovers some papers left by Chug and, observing Allison handing him some hush money, speedily goes to Reeves with his information. Both men are called to the office and questioned. Chug finally confesses his guilt and is taken into custody, while the president decides to give Armstrong Allison's position.
- Rated
- Passed
- Runtime
- 20m
- Released
- 1917
Details
Release year: 1917
Storyline
Walter Armstrong is released from prison and finds it impossible to secure work. As he renews his promise to his wife that henceforth he will travel the straight road they are interrupted by a call from Chug, a former cellmate, who tries to influence Armstrong to join him again. Unable to persuade him, Chug leaves, and Armstrong, discovering an advertisement for a bookkeeper, goes out again. Armstrong frankly bares his past to Allison, the general manager, who informs him he has nothing for him. At this moment Mrs. Allison happens to enter her husband's office, and pleads with him to give the young man a chance. Allison is obdurate. As he stands gazing idly about, Chug jumps from a moving limousine, and running past him, tosses a purse into his hand. A policeman is following on his trail. Armstrong gazes wonderingly at the article, then walks away. Returning home, Armstrong is surprised to find Ruth in conversation with Mrs. Allison, but before he can explain matters, an officer enters and charges him with the theft. Mrs. Allison promises to befriend him, and through her husband's influence secures his release, also a position with Reeves & Company. Some months elapse and Armstrong is now chief clerk in the concern. Horace Reeves, president of the company, is disturbed at learning that someone in his employ has been accepting freight rebates. That night Allison phones Lee, the A.D.R.R. freight agent. Hurriedly departing for his office, he is soon in consultation with Lee and Chug, the expert forger, who signs Armstrong's name to a damaging letter. The following morning Armstrong is accused of the crime, and knowing Allison to be the guilty one, decides to suffer in his stead. Jimmie, the office boy, cleaning about Armstrong's desk, discovers some papers left by Chug and, observing Allison handing him some hush money, speedily goes to Reeves with his information. Both men are called to the office and questioned. Chug finally confesses his guilt and is taken into custody, while the president decides to give Armstrong Allison's position.
Top credits
- George C. Pearce — Walter Armstrong
- Gretchen Lederer — Ruth Armstrong
- Charles Hill Mailes — Mr. Allison
- Jessie Arnold — Mrs. Allison