Fingers at the Window

Fingers at the Window

Year: 1942

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Lederer

ThrillerMystery

DANGER AT NIGHTFALL! In Chicago, an unemployed actor aims to solve the mystery concerning a string of ax murders, apparently committed by a lunatic.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Fingers at the Window yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Fingers at the Window (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Fingers at the Window (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-1940s

Set in mid-20th-century Chicago, the narrative mirrors the noir-era mood with rapid investigations and shadowy threats. The plot hinges on psychiatric intrigue, clandestine hospital rooms, and nocturnal chases through the city. The style and pacing reflect a classic 1940s urban thriller, focused on mystery, manipulation, and urgent romance.

Location

Chicago, Illinois

The story unfolds in Chicago, a dense urban setting with the elevated 'L' trains and a network of streets that frame a tense crime thriller. The city’s police stations, clinics, and nighttime avenues create a claustrophobic atmosphere ideal for paranoia and investigation. Night scenes and urban architecture contribute to the sense of danger lurking in plain sight.

🗺️ Chicago 🕵️ Urban noir

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:19

Main Characters – Fingers at the Window (1942)

Meet the key characters of Fingers at the Window (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Edwina 'Eddie' Brown — Laraine Day

A dancer who becomes the central target of the axe murders and later a key ally to Oliver. She is cautious but brave, quickly reporting suspicious behavior and helping drive the investigation. Her past engagement to a man named Cesar in Paris adds a layer of vulnerability and motive to the conflict.

🎭 Dancer 💪 Courage 🔎 Protector

Oliver Duffy — Lew Ayres

An actor who takes an active role in protecting Edwina. He suspects hypnotic manipulation behind the murders and goes to great lengths, even feigning madness to infiltrate the hospital. His determination makes him the driving force behind unraveling the plot.

🎭 Actor 🧠 Strategist 💪 Protector

Cesar Ferrari / Dr. H. Santelle — Basil Rathbone

The mastermind behind the murders, impersonating Dr. Santelle to seize a fortune. He orchestrates the killings through hypnotic influence and hides behind a professional facade. His ultimate confrontation with Edwina and Oliver reveals the depth of his deception.

🧠 Mastermind 🎭 Impostor 🔪 Killer

Inspector Gallagher — Charles D. Brown

The police inspector leading the investigation into the axe murders. He coordinates with psychiatrists and investigators, keeping the case moving toward a resolution. His presence provides the procedural backbone of the film.

🕵️ Inspector 🏛️ Authority 🔎 Investigator

Dr. Kurt Immelman — Miles Mander

A psychiatrist at the hospital where the miscreants are kept, whose patient roster becomes the key to uncovering the mastermind. Oliver searches Immelman’s files to identify the pattern of killers and the true villain behind the crimes.

🧠 Psychiatrist 🏥 Hospital setting 🔬 Analyst

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:19

Major Themes – Fingers at the Window (1942)

Explore the central themes of Fingers at the Window (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Hypnosis

Hypnosis is the engine behind the murders, with the mastermind manipulating patients to commit axe crimes. The investigation centers on uncovering how a psychiatrist or impostor can control others' actions. The theme explores the dangerous boundary between medicine and mind control, and the fragility of free will under manipulation.

💘 Love & Trust

Edwina and Oliver form a protective bond as danger closes in, illustrating how love can motivate courage and loyalty. Their relationship weatheres suspicion, deception, and danger, culminating in mutual trust and a shared plan to outsmart the antagonist. Romantic connection becomes a source of resilience amid a web of crime and fear.

🕵️ Detection & Deception

The plot revolves around piecing together clues from hospital records to identify a mastermind hiding behind a disguise. Oliver’s infiltration of the psychiatric hospital and the grand reveal at the mastermind’s residence dramatize the tension between truth and illusion. The ending hinges on a carefully staged confrontation and a reveal that exposes who is truly in control.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:19

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Unlock the Full Story of Fingers at the Window

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Fingers at the Window Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Fingers at the Window, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Fingers at the Window Summary

Fingers at the Window Timeline

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Fingers at the Window Timeline

More About Fingers at the Window

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Fingers at the Window (1942) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Fingers at the Window (1942) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Fingers at the Window (1942) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow