By Whose Hand? Poster

By Whose Hand? 1932

★ 6.04 votes65 min📅 1932-07-06

Step aboard the night express from Los Angeles to San Francisco in *By Whose Hand? (1932)*, a gripping pre-Code mystery where secrets lurk behind every compartment door.

Director: Benjamin Stoloff

Cast

Ben Lyon
Ben Lyon
Jimmy Hawley
Barbara Weeks
Barbara Weeks
Alice Murray
Kenneth Thomson
Kenneth Thomson
Chambers
Ethel Kenyon
Ethel Kenyon
Eileen Ayensworth
William V. Mong
William V. Mong
Graham
Dolores Ray
Bride (as Dolores Rey)
Nat Pendleton
Nat Pendleton
'Killer' Delmar
Tom Dugan
Tom Dugan
Drunk
Dwight Frye
Dwight Frye
Chick Lewis
Billy Bletcher
Billy Bletcher
Police Radio Dispatcher (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *By Whose Hand? (1932)* about?

This 1932 crime mystery unfolds on a night express train where a jewelry magnate is murdered, plunging the passengers into a high-stakes guessing game. With an escaped killer rumored to be on board, reporter Jimmy Hawley must piece together clues before the culprit strikes again.

Who directed *By Whose Hand? (1932)*?

Benjamin Stoloff directed this atmospheric crime thriller, guiding the film's suspenseful tone with precision.

Who stars in *By Whose Hand? (1932)*?

The film features Ben Lyon as the determined reporter Jimmy Hawley, alongside Barbara Weeks, Kenneth Thomson, Ethel Kenyon, and William V. Mong in pivotal roles.

Is *By Whose Hand? (1932)* worth watching?

If you love vintage crime mysteries with tight pacing and classic whodunit twists, *By Whose Hand?* delivers. Though it lacks modern polish, its 65-minute runtime keeps the suspense brisk and the atmosphere thick with intrigue.

How long is *By Whose Hand? (1932)*?

The film runs for 65 minutes, making it a perfect quick pick for fans of old-school mystery thrillers.

About By Whose Hand? (1932) — A Classic 1932 Crime Mystery Train Whodunit

Step aboard the night express from Los Angeles to San Francisco in *By Whose Hand? (1932)*, a gripping pre-Code mystery where secrets lurk behind every compartment door. When a prominent jewelry magnate is found stabbed to death in his sleeper car, the once-cozy atmosphere turns claustrophobic with suspicion. Newspaper reporter Jimmy Hawley, played by Ben Lyon, becomes the reluctant investigator in this tense whodunit, racing against time to uncover the killer among a motley group of passengers. Directed by Benjamin Stoloff with a sharp eye for atmospheric tension, the film blends classic crime tropes with the shadowy allure of early Hollywood storytelling.

As the train hurtles toward its destination, Hawley digs deeper into the passengers' hidden motives and alibis, uncovering red herrings and unexpected twists. Featuring Barbara Weeks as the enigmatic lead suspect and Kenneth Thomson as the sinister figure everyone fears, *By Whose Hand?* delivers suspense without relying on flashy effects—just pure, unadulterated mystery. Shot in 65 minutes of relentless suspense, it's a snapshot of 1930s crime cinema at its most compelling, where every passenger has something to hide and no one can be trusted.