The Finger Prints - Production & Contact Info

The Finger Prints (1912)
Short | Drama, Short

The Finger Prints (1912)

Short | Drama, Short

Hooknose Jake is released from prison and vows to get even with the district attorney who sent him there. Henry Sterling, the district attorney, is in love with the daughter of Walter Burdett, a banker and broker. The old banker refuses, ...See moreHooknose Jake is released from prison and vows to get even with the district attorney who sent him there. Henry Sterling, the district attorney, is in love with the daughter of Walter Burdett, a banker and broker. The old banker refuses, however, to give his consent to the marriage, and Sterling leaves in a resentful and unhappy frame of mind, while the daughter upbraids her father for his unwarranted objection to the match. Hooknose Jake has spied on the district attorney and shadows him from place to place. He is up against it, not having been able to secure employment, and plans to rob and kill the banker and shift the blame to the district attorney. The offices of the district attorney are opposite the banker's offices, and Hooknose Jake takes advantage of the fact by shooting from Sterling's office across to the banker with a noiseless revolver. Naturally a big stir is created throughout the city, and after some investigation the police figure that Sterling is the guilty man, and circumstantial evidence almost convicts him. A young detective on the case examines carefully the murdered body and finds finger prints on the white vest of the dead banker. This he secures for his own purposes, and follows up the investigation. He assumes various disguises, and not only shadows the district attorney and takes occasion to compare Sterling's finger prints with the finger prints on the dead man's vest, but also learns of Hooknose Jake's activity. He follows up the clue and one evening finds Jake in the office of the district attorney. Jake is there placing more evidence to incriminate his enemy. However, just as the detective is about to hide behind the curtain, the criminal sees his reflection in a mirror. A fight and a spectacular chase down fire escapes ensues, in which the criminal makes a get-away. In the struggle the dirty hands of Jake impress themselves on the cuffs of the detective. The detective compares the finger prints on his cuffs with those on the dead banker's vest, and is sure of his man. Later, in trying to overdo himself, he sends a message to the police, informing them that they would find evidence against the district attorney. The detective traces down the source of the telegram and finds Jake in his den. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less