The Finger Points

The Finger Points

Year: 1931

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: John Francis Dillon

CrimeThrillerDrama

A daring reporter sets out to expose the Chicago underworld. Lee, a fresh Southern youngster, lands a job at The Press and is assigned a story on local gangsters. His sensational article names the criminals, triggers a police raid, and leaves him badly injured and hospitalized, forcing him to confront the violent world he sought to reveal.

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Timeline – The Finger Points (1931)

Trace every key event in The Finger Points (1931) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Hired as a reporter and assigned to expose the gambling parlor

Breck Lee arrives in the big city with hopes of becoming a newspaperman. He is hired by The Press and begins his rookie career. His first assignment is to uncover a newly opened gambling parlor.

City newsroom (The Press)
2

Blanco offers a bribe; Lee refuses and publishes the casino story

Gangster Louis J. Blanco tries to bribe Lee to keep quiet about the casino. Lee refuses to take the bribe, choosing journalistic integrity. He then publishes the casino story, triggering a police raid.

Blanco's office / The Press
3

Mugged and hospitalized after the raid

Lee is mugged and severely beaten by gangsters following the casino raid. He is rushed to the hospital for treatment and recovery. The assault leaves him shaken and more determined to report the truth.

City hospital
4

Returns to work; marriage dreams blocked by finances

After leaving the hospital, Lee returns to work at The Press. He longs to marry Marcia Collins, but his meager salary and the medical bills keep that dream out of reach. The financial strain weighs on him as he plans for the future.

The Press
5

Asks for a raise; request is denied

Lee approaches City Editor Frank Carter to request a raise, hoping for better pay. Carter refuses to increase his salary, leaving Lee frustrated. The denial deepens his financial pressures.

The Press
6

Re-approaches Blanco with no-report-for-fee deal

Feeling the lure of cash, Lee revisits Blanco with a deal to refrain from reporting on the organization in exchange for money. Blanco pays for his silence, and Lee begins to feel untouchable by the growing wealth. The arrangement tightens the criminals' grip on him.

Blanco's office
7

Marcia suspicious of Lee's sudden wealth

Marcia grows wary of the sudden wealth surrounding Lee and what he might be doing to obtain it. Lee tries to reassure her, denying any illegal activity, but the doubt lingers. Their relationship strains under the cloud of money.

Marcia's home
8

Lee seeks a larger graft by shaking down gangsters

Lee decides to push for a bigger share by pressuring the gangsters for more money. He uses his leverage as a journalist to threaten to publish damaging information. The power struggle escalates as he grasps the potential for greater corruption.

City
9

Meets Number One and is warned about publishing

Lee meets Number One, the head of the organization, and secures a larger graft. Number One warns him that publishing the information could put him in serious danger. The warning signals a growing line Lee should not cross.

Number One's HQ
10

Marcia agrees to marry Lee; Breezy publishes to impress

Lee resolves to reform and leave the city with Marcia if she will marry him. Marcia agrees to the plan, but Breezy Russell publishes the gambling story in a bid to win her favor. The revelation fuels new tensions that threaten the couple's plans.

City
11

Lee retrieves money from the bank; is followed and killed

Lee goes to the bank to retrieve the money Blanco paid him. He is tailed by gangsters and killed before he can leave the city. The life he sacrificed his ethics for ends in tragedy.

City bank
12

Funeral recognition and quiet truth among Marcia

At his funeral, Lee is hailed as a hero for his writings against the gambling ring. Marcia remains silent, knowing the truth about his choices. The truth about his methods lingers between memory and consequence.

Funeral

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:30

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Finger Points

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