As the Devil Commands (1933)
Millionaire John Duncan, who is secretly Dr. David Graham's father, is dying and plans to split his fortune between David and his cousin, lawyer Robert Waldo. Waldo convinces Duncan to leave everything to David in a scheme to get the money with the help of nurse Jane Chase, who loves David. Waldo plans to frame David for Duncan's murder and manipulates the situation to carry out his plan. After John asks David to end his suffering, Waldo decides to kill John himself. Waldo gives David a poor defense during his trial and David receives a life sentence. Waldo forges a suicide note from John to secure David's release, but plans to kill him himself. Waldo kills a witness to the murder, but the injured man tells Jane about Waldo's plans before dying. Waldo entices David to his cellar to kill him with candles, but Jane intervenes and kills Waldo. David is saved by the police, and Waldo dies realizing he cannot manipulate people like pawns.
Books with an entry on As the Devil Commands
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Larry Langman and Daniel Finn A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties Westport, Connecticut - London, 1995 |