Search - The Panther's Claw on DVD

A Case of Mistaken Identification

Acute Observer | Jersey Shore USA | 01/18/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Panther's Claw, 1942 film

"This picture is dedicated to the New York Police Department ... for meritorious service to its community." The film begins with a Everett Digbury climbing over a wall at night. He has a story to tell the policeman about being told to put $1,000 on a gravestone. [This is played for laughs.] He is brought to Commissioner Colt, others have received a similar letter. They are connected to the opera company. Do they have a common enemy? The typewritten letters are a clue to the writer. The policeman asks for a receipt for the bankbook. Does the pawprint of the cat match the letters? Has Digbury been acting strange? He explains the withdrawal of $1,000. Colt gets a call about a woman found murdered. She was a friend of Digbury. They discover her identity. Evidence is preserved. Another wigmaker is questioned about his products and customers.

The people who are involved are brought in for questioning. Digbury leaves his apartment. Somebody shoots Wilkins with a .30 caliber Luger. Mme. Politza's insurance policy is found in Digbury's apartment, endorsed to him. The light colored suit of Digbury is a clue. Commissioner Colt explains how he discovered the identity of "Frank Galloway". The innocent man will have a happy ending.

Some of the scenes reflect the culture of that era. The lesson here is to not accept evidence at face value but to question its provenance. Can planted evidence be used to frame a suspect? Mistaken identification is the main cause of wrongful conviction. This picture did mislead the viewer in some of the scenes. Was it educational? [I wonder if it was based on a true crime?]

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