The Sign of the Claw

One of the little ironies that beset a DVD collector's life is the fact that so many super-famous, super-expensive, award-winning movies are not available in any form at any price, while on the other hand, scads of never-heard-of, Poverty-Row clinkers are not only readily obtainable but often in pristine form.

Such a completely expendable little movie is "The Sign of the Claw." Produced on a shoe-string with a nothing cast, a totally uninvolving screenplay and a talentless director, this minor "B" entry has—aside from its scant action climax—absolutely nothing to recommend it except the fact that it exists in such an admirable condition.

It's tinted, of course. A few negligible frames are missing at the beginning of the front credits, plus one or two of the end credits. It has a few unimportant splices and a bit of print damage in 30 of its 5,925 feet. Otherwise it's in absolutely immaculate condition. And still as bright as a penny. No fading whatsoever. And the tints as colorful and beautifully toned as when Ray June supervised release prints through the laboratory way back in 1926.

Although Breezy Eason was often highly regarded as an action specialist for other people's films, his own movies are as flat-footed as can be. "The Sign of the Claw" is a typical Breezy letdown.