Richard Arlen is the convicted murderer and Adrienne Ames his sister who believes in his innocence. We see the murder and the framing set-up at the beginning of the film, so there’s no mystery for the audience to solve. Just the pleasure of watching an intricate cat-and-mouse game, with the murderer one step ahead of his pursuers until the final, tense confrontation.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Edmund LoweRussell Kirk | Russell Kirk |
 Victor McLaglenDetective Capt. T.R. McKinley | Detective Capt. T.R. McKinley |
 Richard ArlenFrank C. Marsh | Frank C. Marsh |
 Adrienne AmesVera Marsh | Vera Marsh |
 Henry StephensonDr. Ernest S. Tindal | Dr. Ernest S. Tindal |
 Ralph InceJack Reed | Jack Reed |
 Noel FrancisJulia Reed | Julia Reed |
 Elizabeth PattersonElvira Ward | Elvira Ward |
 Arnold LucyDr. Sully | Dr. Sully |
 Willard RobertsonPolice Sgt. Alcock | Police Sgt. Alcock |
 Richard TuckerDistrict Attorney | District Attorney |
 Fred KelseyDetective Duffy | Detective Duffy |
 Claire DoddRuth Tindal | Ruth Tindal |
 Lillian HarmerMrs. Alvin | Mrs. Alvin |