Fingers at the Window (1942)

The folks in the Windy City are gripped with fear after the discovery of the latest body - another victim of a brutal axe murderer. Now those watching know a little about just who is behind these crimes - we certainly recognise his voice, so maybe there's not so much jeopardy on that front. What we do have, though, is quite an intriguing little mystery. By pure chance, "Oliver" (Lew Ayres) is strolling the street one night when he thinks he sees someone following "Edwina" (Laraine Day). He alerts a cop and that's that? Well not quite as she lets out a squeal and next thing the two of them are in cahoots trying to find out just who is behind these heinous crimes, and trying to discover why have they alighted on her as next for the chop. It helps that "Oliver" is a between jobs actor so can turn his hand to a few scenarios as they begin to piece together the puzzle - and that puts them even more into harms way, big style. I did quite like the sinister premiss here, mingling an hint of science with a plot that's quirky and at times quite clever - even if the ending is rather obvious and rushed. Ayres joins in enthusiastically and works well with Day and it's an enjoyable eighty minutes. This way madness lies? Well, perhaps not!