piratecooper
28-12-2008, 09:40 AM
Guide to Masonic "Handshakes" in the Movies
Over 194 films in chronological order, updated in 2001
by Dean Grace
T his is a list of films containing one or more of the three most common Masonic handshakes (pressing the
thumb of the right hand over the knuckle joints or between the knuckle joints on the other hand) used by
certain world political leaders and certain motion picture actors and actresses viewed on various VHS tapes
using the slow motion control and freeze-frame control (pause button) on a VCR. This list of films is arranged
in ascending chronological order according to the year in which each film was made. Time is measured from
the beginning of the Feature Presentation to the first Masonic handshake in the film.
Background: The real grip of the Entered Apprentice, first degree of Freemasonry, is given by pressing the
thumb of the right hand over the forefinger knuckle joint (where it meets the hand) on the other person's hand.
The real Fellow Craft, a.k.a., Fellowship grip of the second degree of Freemasonry, is given by pressing the
thumb of the right hand over the knuckle joint (where it meets the hand) of the second finger (middle finger).
The "pass grip" of the Master Mason, the third degree of Freemasonry, is given by pressing the thumb between
the knuckle joints of the second (middle) and third (ring) fingers. The "pass grip" of the Master Mason is
different from the "Lion's grip" of the Master Mason that is used inside the lodge to raise a person to Master
Mason status.
The Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and the "pass grip" of the Master Mason are the most common
Masonic handshakes used outside of the Masonic lodge. Because of the quick nature of "handshaking" and
differences in the sizes of people's hands any handshake where the outstretched thumb (or cocked-thumb)
presses the first knuckle, the middle knuckle, or the joint between the middle finger knuckle and third finger
knuckle on the other hand is a Masonic handshake recognizable by Freemasons around the world. Freemasons
swear an oath to always conceal and never reveal the secrets of Freemasonry. I am not bound by that
restriction.
List
The Birth of a Nation, ｩ 1915 David W. Griffith Corporation. (202 minute silent film with captions).
After the caption: The visit of the Stoneman boys to their Southern friends, Mae Marsh as "Flora Cameron
(the pet sister)" gives a Masonic handshake to the Stoneman boy with a mustache. After the caption: In the
slave quarters, Henry Walthall as "Ben Cameron" receives a Masonic handshake from the "black slave." After
the caption: The chums promise to meet again, young Cameron "chum" gives young Stoneman "chum" a
Masonic handshake. After the caption: Young Stoneman vows the old vow that his only dreams shall be of
her till they meet again, there is a flurry of clear Masonic handshakes in the farewell scene.
Siegfried, (1924 silent film by Fritz Lang), UFA Productions. The heroic Teutonic knight Siegfried wants
to marry the fair Kriemhild, sister of King Gunther. But first Siegfried must help King Gunther marry the
shrew Brunhilde. Fifty minutes into the film and after the caption: "Keep your word, King Gunther, as I have
kept mine!" King Gunther gives a left handed Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to Kriemhild at the same time
Siegfried gives King Gunther a clear right handed Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
The Gold Rush, (1925 silent film by Charles Chaplin). Forty-two minutes into the film dance hall girl
"Georgia" played by Georgia Hale visits the cabin of "The Lone Prospector" played by Charles Chaplin. As
Georgia leaves the cabin she gives Chaplin a handshake that is at first not Masonic then she curls her thumb
and gives Chaplin an Entered Apprentice Masonic handgrip and then a firm Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Eleven minutes later "Big Jim" played by Mack Swain enters the recorder's office and gives the assayer a
perfect Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Metropolis, (1926 silent film by Fritz Lang). About thirty-eight minutes into the film after the subtitles:
"Rotwang, give your robot this girl's likeness. Hide the girl in your house while the robot directs my will over
the workers," Rudolf Klein Rogge as "Rotwang" gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Joh
Frederson" the master of Metropolis.
Flesh and the Devil, ｩ 1927 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation. John Gilbert as the
dashing nobleman "Leo von Harden" has a passionate love affair with the married "Felicitas" played by Greta
Garbo. Leo kills Felicitas' husband in a duel. Leo's best friend "Urich," played by Lars Hanson, is told that the
duel was over a gambling argument. About fifty-five minutes into the film after returning home from army
duty Leo discovers that while he was away Urich has married Felicitas. After Urich says in the silent film
captions: "She has freely forgiven you for that tragic duel." "When you know Felicitas better, you will love
her, too." Urich gives Leo a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Anna Christie, ｩ 1930 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Six minutes into the film inside the waterfront bar Lee
Phelps as "Larry the bartender" receives an Entered Apprentice Masonic handshake from George F. Marion as
"Chris" Anna Christie's inebriated father in the mens only partition of the bar room. Seven minutes later Marie
Dressier as the inebriated "Marthy" gives Chris a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip over the bar room table
seconds after she says, "You was always square with me." Freemasons are instructed to always be "on the
square" and "on the level" with fellow Freemasons.
Animal Crackers, ｩ 1930 Paramount Publix Corp. Watch the Marx Brothers and Margaret Dumont give
and receive Masonic handshakes.
Dracula, ｩ 1931 Universal Pictures Corp. Thirty-three minutes into the film Dr. Van Helsing meets the
vampire possessed Renfield. Dr. Van Helsing says, "I am here to help you, you understand that, do you not9"
Renfield played by Dwight Frye says, "Why, of course, and I'm very grateful." Renfield gives Van Helsing a
Fellow Craft Masonic Handshake.
Night Nurse, ｩ 1931 Warner Bros., Inc., & the Vitaphone Corp. Barbara Stanwyck as "Miss Hart" applies
for a job at a hospital. Six minutes into the film the newly hired "nurse Hart" gives a clear Entered Apprentice
Masonic handshake to her future nursing buddy "nurse Maloney" played by Joan Blondell. Fourteen minutes
later after "nurse Hart" treats a bullet wound in a bootlegger's arm and doesn't report it to the police, the
bootlegger appears to give her a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Twenty-three Minutes later nurse Hart gives
Mrs. Ritchey, her decadent new employer, a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Two minutes later nurse Hart
runs into the bootlegger at the soda shop and the Masonic phrase "on the level" is used four times in their brief
conversation.
Horse Feathers, ｩ 1932 Paramount Publix Corp. I count eight Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes that the
Marx Brothers give and receive in this film, mostly to and from Groucho Marx.
Sons of the Desert, The Nostalgia Merchant. (Originally produced in 1932.) At the beginning of the film
Laurel and Hardy wearing fezzes attend a Sons of the Desert lodge meeting. The speaker at the podium in Arab
costume says, "We will now take the oath" and bangs a gavel. The speaker then says, "And remember, once
taken this oath has never been broken by any man down through the centuries of time in the history of this
fraternal organization . . ." And then the speaker says, "Place yourself in the position to receive the oath."
Everyone crosses their arms and joins hands with their neighbors. Oliver Hardy's left hand gives Stan Laurel's
right hand a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Duck Soup, ｩ 1933 Paramount Productions, Inc. At the beginning of the film inside the Freedonia
reception hall Louis Calhern as "Ambassador Trentino" receives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from
Margaret Dumont as "Mrs. Teasdale." A little later Mrs. Teasdale gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to
Groucho Marx as "Rufus Firefly." Much later as Groucho is saying, "Mrs. Teasdale you did a noble deed,"
Mrs. Teasdale gives Groucho a perfect close-up Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Flying Down to Rio, ｩ 1933 RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Thirteen minutes into the film Blanche Friderici as
the protective "Aunt Tatia" gives Gene Raymond as the gigolo "Roger Bond" a clear unmistakable Master
Mason's handgrip after Bond dances with Aunt Tatia's niece played by Delores Del Rio. Aunt Tatia presses
paper money into his palm while shaking hands as she says, "My niece thanks you for your politeness young
man. She will not require anymore of your services this afternoon."
King Kong, 1933 Radio Pictures. At the very beginning Sam Hardy as "Mr. Weston" the theatrical agent
appears to give a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Frank Reicher as "Capt. Englehorn" the ship's skipper
inside the ship's cabin.
Little Women, ｩ 1933 RKO Radio Pictures, LTD. At the very beginning of the film in the first scene at the
United States Christian Commission, Spring Byington as "Mrs. Marmee March" gives an old man a coat and
some paper money. The old man gives her a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake as she hands him the money.
Later Henry Stephenson as "Grandfather Laurence" gives Katharine Hepburn as "Jo March" a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake when they meet in Mr. Laurence's home.
She Done Him Wrong, ｩ 1933 Paramount Productions, Inc. Renewed 1960 EMKA Ltd. Ten minutes into
the film Mae West as "Lady Lou" walks into a saloon and gives one of her promising future paramours,
Gilbert Roland as "Serge Stanieff," a clear entered apprentice Masonic handgrip. Serge kisses Lady Lou's right
hand as Lou says to her other male friend, "Oh, take a look at this Gus and learn something."
The Son of Kong, ｩ 1933 RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. About twenty minutes into the film inside a Chinese
bar, bad guy John Marston as "Capt. Helstrom," the man who supplied the map of Kong's island, receives an
Entered Apprentice Mason's handshake from Frank Reicher as "Capt. Englehorn" who sits at a table with
Robert Armstrong as "Carl Denham" the man who used Helstrom's map to capture Kong. In the original King
Kong Denham and Capt. Englehorn then brought King Kong to New York City.
Triumph of the Will, 1933 German propaganda film. In the "new colors are dedicated" scene Hitler
appears to receive two Masonic handshakes in this serious handshaking ceremony.
Treasure Island, ｩ 1934 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. At the film's beginning Otto Kruger as "Dr.
Livesy" and Dorothy Peterson as "Mrs. Hawkins" exchange discreet Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes inside
the inn.
A Night at the Opera, ｩ 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. Groucho Marx as "Otis B. Driftwood" gives
Chico Marx as "Fiorello" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake as they discuss a contract after "Lassparri" is
knocked out. Later Groucho gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Allan Jones as "Carlo Baroni,
a.k.a. Ricurdo" after Chico and Baroni come out of the steamer trunk inside Groucho's small cabin aboard ship.
There are other Masonic handshakes in this movie.
A Tale of Two Cities, ｩ 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. Twenty-one minutes into the film after
landing on the coast of England at night, Donald Woods as the French nobleman "Charles Darnay" accepts an
invitation for supper on Sunday from "Dr. Manette's" daughter. Darnay gives a Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake to Claude Gillingwater as the English banker "Jurvis Lorry" as Lorry says, "Goodbye young man
until Sunday."
David Copperfield, ｩ 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. Sixty-seven minutes into the film Freddie
Bartholomew as "David (the child) Copperfield" gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Roland Young as
"Uriah Heep" downstairs in the home of "Mr. Wickfield" the solicitor.
The 39 Steps, (Made in 1935) A Gaumont-British Picture. Robert Donat as "Richard Hannay" is falsely
accused of murdering a spy. Thirty-nine minutes into the film, after "Hannay" is pursued across Scotland by
police and spies alike to the estate of the nefarious "Professor Jordan," "Hannay" is introduced to the
professor's daughter "Patricia" who wears eyeglasses. "Hannay" gives "Patricia" a Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake.
The Bride of Frankenstein, ｩ 1935 Universal Pictures Corp. About thirty-five minutes into the film Boris
Karloff as "The Monster" arrives at the forest cabin of the violin playing "Blind Hermit" played by OP.
Heggie. Standing in the doorway inside the cabin the Blind Hermit says to The Monster, "What's the matter?"
The Blind Hermit then takes his left hand and feels The Monster's left arm and hand. The Blind Hermit says,
"Your hurt my poor friend, come." The Blind Hermit gives The Monster a left-handed Fellow Craft Masonic
handgrip. The camera angle quickly changes and the Blind Hermit's right hand then leads The Monster into
the cabin. About four minutes later the Blind Hermit gives The Monster bread and wine as they sit at the dinner
table. The Hermit says, "We are friends you and I." They exchange a handshake over the table that is not
Masonic while saying, "Good, good." They both smoke a cigar. The Hermit says, "Before you came I was all
alone. It is bad to be alone." The Monster says, "Alone bad, friend good! Friend good!!!" The Monster then
gives the Hermit a cocked-thumb Masonic handshake over the table. I would not have believed this if I hadn't
seen it in freeze-frame with my own eyes.
San Francisco, ｩ 1936 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation. Twenty minutes into the film at "Blackie
Norton's" private nightclub table Jack Holt as "Jack Burley" gives Clark Gable as "Blackie Norton" a Fellow
Craft Masonic handshake. Then Al Shean as "the Professor, the nightclub's piano player," out of excitement,
gives two clear close-up Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes in a row to William Ricciardi as opera conductor
"Signor Baldini" at the table. There are more Masonic handshakes in this movie.
The Charge of the Light Brigade, ｩ 1936 Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., and Vitaphone Corp. About six
minutes into the film Errol Flynn as British "Major Vickers" gives a Master Mason's handshake to C. Henry
Gordon as Indian chieftain "Surat Khan." Part of Flynn's hand is concealed by the plume of his helmet that he
holds in his left arm. About six minutes later Khan gives Vickers a clear Entered Apprentice Mason's
handshake for saving his life. The camera zooms in for a close-up on this Masonic handgrip. Masonic
handshakes between Vickers, Kahn, and others happen throughout the film.
The Secret Agent, (Made in 1936) Gaumont British Picture Corp., LTD. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
(Based on the novel Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.) At the very beginning of the movie the undertaker
whose left arm is missing gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to the first of three women who leave the
funeral reception room. Thirty minutes later in the gambling casino Peter Marmont as "Caypor" gives
Madeleine Carroll as British espionage agent "Elsa" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake as they are
introduced. Twelve minutes later after Peter Lorre as "the General" kills "Caypor" on a mountain climb, "the
General" in the chalet at the bottom of the mountain gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to "Elsa"
and then receives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from John Gielgud as British espionage agent
"Dick Ashenden." At the very end of the film Charles Carson as British Intelligence Chief "R" shakes hands
with four military officers. Two of the officers can be seen giving "R" Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes.
Lost Horizon, ｩ 1937, renewed 1965 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. About one hour and forty two
minutes into the film as measured from the film's opening title, Edward Everett Horton as "lovy" says to his
friends who have decided to stay at Shangri-La in Tibet, "I've just finished translating one of the most
interesting
old tablets you can imagine, told me all about the origins of the Masonic symbols . . . " Twenty five minutes
later, at the movie's end, in the St. George Club in London, British agent "Lord Gainsford," who pursued
Ronald Coleman as British soldier and diplomat "Robert Conway" on Conway's crazed quest to return to
Shangri-La says, "I trailed him to the most extreme outpost of Tibet. Of course he'd already gone. But his
memory will live with those natives for the rest of their lives. 'The man who was not human' they called him.
They'll never forget the deviled-eyed stranger who six times tried to go over the mountain pass that no other
human being dared to travel, and six times was forced to go back by the severest storms. They'll never forget
the madman who stole their food and clothing, who they locked up in their barracks, but who fought six of
their guards to escape." That makes three audible sixes (666) in a very short breath of time in a 1937
Hollywood movie. The numbers "666," both audible and visually, are subliminally imbedded in various
Hollywood movies.
You Can't Take It With You, ｩ 1938 Columbia Pictures Corp. About fifteen minutes into the film Lionel
Barrymore as "Martin Vanderhof" while sitting in the front room of his home says, "Mr. Poppins, ah this is Mr.
Sycamore, my son-in-law." Donald Meek as "Mr. Poppins" gives the pipe smoking "Mr. Sycamore" a perfect
center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip. Immediately Barrymore then says, "Mr. Poppins, Mr. DePinna."
"Mr. Depinna" played by Halliwell Hobbes gives "Mr. Poppins" a perfect center screen Fellow Craft Masonic
handgrip. There are more clear Fellow Craft Masonic hand grips in the party scene at the end of the movie.
Beau Geste, ｩ 1939 Paramount Pictures, Inc. About forty minutes into the film after Ray Milland as "John
Geste" meets his two brothers in the French Foreign Legion barracks, Charles Barton as the short new recruit
"Mr. McMonigal" gives Robert Preston as "Dirk Geste" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Destry Rides Again, ｩ 1939 Universal Pictures Co., Inc. About ten minutes into the film the honest sheriff
of the City of Bottleneck is killed inside the Bloody Gulch Saloon. Marlene Dietrich as the saloon girl
"Frenchy" then sings a song to the crowd's immense enjoyment. The villain (Brian Donlevy) stands on the
bar's stage and quiets the crowd. The town's mayor then says, "... I do hereby appoint for the post of sheriff
that paragon of courage, that credit to his community, the pride of Bottleneck, Mr. Washington Dimsdale."
"Washington (Wash) Dimsdale" is played by Charles Winninger. "Frenchy" then throws a drink into "Wash's"
face who is passed out on the floor. The crowd cheers. "Wash" sits up on the bar and asks, "What are we
cheering for?" "Frenchy" says, "It's for you Wash, you're the new sheriff." Brian Donlevy then gives "Wash" a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. "Wash" then swears off liquor and sends for "Destry" to help restore
law and order. About ten minutes later the stage coach arrives in town. A meek-looking "Destry" and the
burly "Jack Tyndall" played by Jack Carson get off. "Jack" immediately knocks the stage coach driver out
because of the rough ride. "Wash" mistakenly thinks that tough guy "Jack" is "Destry." "Wash" welcomes
"Jack." "Jack" gives "Wash" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Gone With The Wind, ｩ 1939 Selznick International Pictures, Inc. Eighteen minutes into the film, as
measured from the beginning of the opening overture, Vivien Leigh as "Scarlett O'Hara" steps out of a carriage
on a social visit to the Wilkes' Twelve Oaks plantation and receives a clear center screen Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake from Alicia Rhett as "India Wilkes." Twenty-one minutes later at the bazaar in Atlanta Olivia de
Havilland as "Mrs. Ashley Wilkes" gives Clark Gable as "Rhett Butler" a clear Master Mason's handgrip.
Idiot's Delight, ｩ 1939 Loew's, Inc. Thirty minutes into the film as Clark Gable and his troupe of chorus
girls arrive at the posh Alpine Inn, Clark Gable as "Harry" gives Skeets Gallagher as "Don Navadel" the social
manager of the inn a fast Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
The Little Princess, ｩ 1939 Twentieth Century-Fox Corp. About seventeen minutes into the film Shirley
Temple as "Sarah, the little princess" gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Richard Greene as
"Mr. Goeffrey Hamilton" her new horse riding instructor at the boarding house.
Foreign Correspondent, ｩ 1940 Walter Wanger Productions, Inc. Joel McCrea is an American news
reporter in London at the beginning World War II. Sixteen minutes into the film at a diplomatic cocktail party
McCrea shakes hands with Herbert Marshall as "Stephen Fisher." The handshake is not Masonic but then
McCrea takes his left hand out of his pocket and gives Marshall a very quick and truly esoteric Mark Master
Mason's handgrip. "Mark Master Mason" is the beginning of Royal Arch Freemasonry in the York Rite. The
two men look like pillars that appear to support a Royal Arch window in the background over their heads.
Moments later McCrea gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to the smiling "Latvian" who wears white
gloves. Thirty minutes later McCrea, while standing in his pajamas in a hotel room and talking to Laraine Day,
gives the Latvian another Fellow Craft Masonic Handshake at the room's doorway.
The Grapes of Wrath, ｩ 1940 Twentieth Century Fox. About twenty-five minutes into the film
Henry Fonda as "Tom Joad" greets Jane Darwell as "Ma Joad" with a clear Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake when "Tom" returns from prison.
Road to Zanzibar, ｩ 1941 Paramount Pictures, Inc. About fifteen minutes into the film Bing Crosby as
"Chuck" and Bob Hope as "Fearless" drink champagne in a South African nightclub. The police come into
the nightclub looking for two Americans (Chuck and Fearless) who burned down a carnival. To escape the
police "Chuck" and "Fearless" go up on the nightclub's stage and dance with the show girls. As an encore
"Chuck" and "Fearless" give their impression of two orchestra leaders meeting on the boulevard. At center
stage Bing Crosby as "Chuck" gives Bob Hope as "Fearless" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Sergeant York, ｩ 1941 Warner Bros. Seven minutes into the film "Luke" the U.S. mail carrier gives
"Zeke" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake inside Rosier Pile's General Merchandise store. Thirty-eight
minutes later Gary Cooper as "Alvin York" gives "Mr. Tompkins" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake for
extending the time for a land sale. Five minutes later Alvin York gives Walter Brennan as "Pastor Rosier Pile"
a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake after Pastor Pile declares York the winner in a shooting contest.
The Great Lie, ｩ 1941 Warner Bros. Pictures. About forty minutes into the film Lucile Watson as "Mrs.
Greenfield, a.k.a., Aunt Ada" gives "Colonel Harriston" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake in the study of her
mansion house just before she is told that Peter Van Allen's airplane is missing over the jungles of Brazil.
Mrs. Miniver, ｩ 1942 Loew's Inc. About forty minutes into the film Rhys Williams as "Horace" gives a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Walter Pidgeon as "Clem Miniver" in "Miniver's" dining room just
before "Horace" leaves for the war front. Much later near the film's end Dame May Whitty as "Lady Beldon"
gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Henry Travers as "Mr. Ballard" at the awards table on the stage
while "Mr. Ballard" accepts the trophy for winning first place in the flower contest for the best rose.
Girl Crazy, ｩ 1943 Loew's Inc. Mickey Rooney as rich kid "Danny Churchill, Jr." who has a taste for
wine, women, and song is sent to an all-male college by his father. The college is about to be closed and only
the State Governor who is a political friend of "Danny's" father can help. Sixty-six minutes into the film, after
"Danny" has given six handshakes during the movie that were not Masonic, "Danny" and Judy Garland go to
the Governor's office to save the school. Moments after "Danny" puts on an amazing display of verbal
linguistics to cheer-up Judy Garland an almost speechless "Danny," who is awed by the Governor's presence,
gives Howard Freeman as "Governor Tait" a clear Entered Apprentice Masonic handshake.
Yankee Doodle Dandy, ｩ 1943 Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. About five minutes into the film James Cagney
as "George M. Cohan" receives a perfect center screen Master Mason's handshake from Capt. Jack Young as
"President Franklin D. Roosevelt" across the President's desk inside the Oval Office. It just doesn't get much
better than this.
Going My Way, ｩ 1944 Paramount Pictures Inc. About fifteen minutes into the film in the courtyard of St.
Dominic's parish Bing Crosby as "Father O'Malley" introduces two Catholic priests to each other. Crosby says,
"Father Fitzgibbon, this is my old friend Father O'Dell." The light-hearted "Fr. O'Dell" cheerfully extends his
right hand and receives a feeble Master Mason's handshake from Barry Fitzgerald as the melancholy "Fr.
Fitzgibbon."
Meet Me In St Louis, ｩ 1944 Loew's Inc. About one hour and twenty minutes into the film Judy Garland
and her "Grandpa" go to the big dance. "Warren" and June Lockhart as "Lucille" enter the ballroom. "Lucille"
gives "Grandpa" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip as they are introduced.
The Keys of the Kingdom, ｩ 1944 Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. About fourteen minutes into the
film at the railroad station just before he leaves for Catholic Holywell College Gregory Peck as "Francis
Chisholm" gives "Willie" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Fifteen minutes later as "Father Francis"
played by Gregory Peck volunteers for missionary work in China, he gives his old fishing buddy who has
recently become "the new Bishop" played By Edmund Gwenn a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. One
hour and twenty-one minutes later "Fr. Francis" gives Vincent Price as "Father Angus" a clear Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake as "Fr. Angus" leaves China. Twenty minutes later upon leaving his mission station in
rural China to return to Scotland an aged "Fr. Francis" gives his old Chinese friend a clear Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake. "Fr. Francis" then gives his young Chinese friend a clear Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake. Four minutes later back in Scotland Sir Cedric Hardwicke as "Monsignor" says, "It is an honor to
have known you Father" as he gives Fr. Francis a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Moments later
before he steps into an automobile Monsignor says, "There is nothing I will say to the Bishop that in anyway
will alter your position here or your hopes for the future." Fr. Francis says, "Thank you." Monsignor says,
"Thank you Father Chisholm" as he gives him another clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
The Corn Is Green, ｩ 1945 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Three minutes into the film "Miss Ronberry"
gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Squire Cheggerby" as the meet inside the Welsh cottage.
Deception, ｩ 1946 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Twenty-three minutes into the film Claude Rains as music
maestro "Alexander Hollenius" gives Paul Henreid as the cello playing "Karel Novak" a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake when they first meet at the wedding reception party for "Karel" and his new bride
"Christine" played by Bette Davis.
It's a Wonderful Life, ｩ 1946 Liberty Films, Inc. About thirty minutes into the film James Stewart as
"George Bailey" gives a clear Entered Apprentice Mason's handshake to Lionel Barrymore as the bad guy
financier "Mr. Potter" in Potter's office over his desk when Potter tries to hire Bailey. Bailey looks at his hand
in disgust and decides not to work for Potter.
Road to Utopia, ｩ 1946 Paramount Pictures, Inc. In this film Bob Hope is "Chester" and Bing Crosby is
"Duke." About one hour and twenty minutes into the film Chester and Duke walk into the Alaskan Golden Rail
Saloon owned by "Ace Larson." While Ace, Chester, and Duke stand at the bar Ace suspects that they are the
notorious bad guys called "Sperry and M'Gerk" who when caught are to be hanged. Ace says to Chester and
Duke, "We'll know em when we see em, you see they always travel with a big shaggy dog." Chester and Duke
laugh off any connection with the bad guys. Ace then says, "The minute we see that dog we're going to string
em up." Then a big shaggy dog walks into the saloon, walks up next to Chester, eats part of Chester's sandwich
(all unseen by Ace Larson), and starts barking. Chester then starts barking. Duke says to Ace, "He thinks he's
a dog. His mother was frightened by a Pekinese." Duke says to Chester, "That's alright Rover. That's a good
fellow. Gemme your paw Rov, gemme your paw." Chester (Bob Hope) gives Duke (Bing Crosby) a clear
center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Copacahana, ｩ 1947 Republic Pictures Corp. Halfway through the film and immediately after "Mr.
Liggett" the theatrical agent buys Fifi's contract for five thousand dollars from Groucho Marx as "Devereaux"
her agent, Devereaux gives Liggett a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Johnny Belinda. ｩ 1948 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. About forty-five minutes into the film Lew Ayres as
"Robert Richardson" the village's doctor takes Belinda into town for a medical examination by a specialist.
After the examination the specialist informs Richardson that Belinda's disability will not affect her pregnancy.
The specialist standing in his office says, "I'll be interested in following the case with you." Richardson says,
"I'd be very grateful" as he gives the specialist a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
State of the Union, ｩ 1948 Liberty Films, Inc. Spencer Tracy as "Grant Mathews" is the idealistic
industrialist who runs for the Presidency. About one hour and twenty-five minutes into the film Mathews and
his campaign manager meet "Congressman Lauterback" in a cab in Washington, D.C. After the political deal
is made Congressman Lauterback gives Mathews a soft Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip. Instantly Mathews
realizes that his political idealism has ended. There are other Masonic handgrips in this film.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre, ｩ 1948 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. In this movie's final scene at the
very end, Walter Huston as "Howard" says farewell to "Curtin" his young prospecting buddy played by
Tim Holt. Both are on horseback and "Curtin's" right arm is in a sling. Walter Huston's right hand gives Tim
Holt's left hand a Master Mason's handgrip, seen in freeze-frame, as they depart.
All The King's Men, ｩ 1949 Columbia Pictures Corporation. About thirty-nine minutes into the film after
Broderick Crawford as politician "Willie Stark" learns how to win political campaigns there is a scene where
bank checks and paper currency drift across the screen. Then two hands in an overhead full screen close-up
shake each other with perfect Fellow Craft Masonic hand grips.
The Fountainhead, ｩ 1949 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Forty-five minutes into the film Gary Cooper as
the architect "Howard Roark" gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to the millionaire building
contractor "Roger Enright" at the party to celebrate the opening of Enright House.
The Heiress, ｩ 1949 Paramount Pictures, Inc. Fifty-three minutes into the film Montgomery Gift as the
dashing fortune hunter "Mr. Townsend" gives Sir Ralph Richardson as the rich "Dr. Sloper" a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake in the Dr.'s parlor when Townsend comes over to ask to marry the Dr.'s wealthy spinster
daughter, his only heir.
Broken Arrow, ｩ 1950 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. About thirty minutes into the film Debra Paget
as the Apache Indian called "White Painted Lady" gives James Stewart as "Tom Jeffords" an Entered
Apprentice Mason's handgrip inside a tepee. About fifty minutes later at the Indian marriage ceremony for
Stewart and Paget, the medicine man ties Paget's left hand to Stewart's right hand with a cord. Stewart clearly
presses his thumb directly over Paget's middle knuckle. And "Tom Jeffords" and the "White Painted Lady"
are united in marriage with a binding Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Kim, ｩ 1950 Loew's Inc. Twenty minutes into the film Cecil Kellaway as British secret agent "Chunder,"
disguised as a native of India, gives a clear center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Robert Douglas as
"Colonel Creighton," chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service in India. Thirty-one minutes later Dean
Stockwell as "Kim" gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Dr. Bronson" the headmaster of the boys'
school. Seconds later Kim then receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip from a boy across the dinner table.
The Day The Earth Stood Still, ｩ 1951 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. About twenty-
eight minutes into the film Michael Rennie as the space traveler "Klaatu" receives a clear 2nd degree
Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from Patricia Neal's boyfriend "Tom Stevens" inside the boarding house.
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, ｩ 1952 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. About twenty-five minutes into
the film inside the Catholic church, a kneeling priest wearing a gold gilded garment and black hat rises from
prayer and turns to receive a black robbed women called "Serora Carara" (sp?) who works for the church. The
woman bows and kisses the priest's hand and then clearly gives him a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip before she
says, " . . I couldn't miss St. Anthony's feast day. Besides I'm taking my crippled son to the cova. I'm sure Our
Lady will be there again today."
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, ｩ 1954 Walt Disney Productions. Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre are
shipwrecked survivors who have been taken captive aboard the Nautilus submarine by Captain Nemo. About
one hour and twenty minutes into the film the Nautilus runs aground off the coast of New Guinea. Douglas and
Lorre go ashore to collect specimens. Once on land Douglas decides to escape into the jungle but Lorre
decides to return to the Nautilus. As they part ways, Kirk Douglas gives Peter Lorre a quick Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake.
Them, ｩ 1954 Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. About twenty minutes into the film after Edmund Gwenn as
giant ant expert "Dr. Medford" arrives at the airport on a military airplane James Arness as "F.B.I. agent
Robert Graham" appears to give the "Dr." a Master Mason's handshake then James Whitmore as "patrolman
Ben Peterson" gives the "Dr." a perfectly clear Master Mason's handshake.
White Christmas, ｩ 1954 Paramount Pictures Corp. One hour and twenty-six minutes into the film at the
cast party for the musical troupe Danny Kaye as "Phil" announces his wedding engagement. "Mr. Haring" who
wears a brown striped suit jacket congratulates "Phil" with a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Guys and Dolls, ｩ 1955 Samuel Goldwyn Productions, Inc. Sixty-three minutes into the film Kathryn
Givney as Save-a-Soul missionary "General Cartwright" gives a clear Master Mason's handshake to Regis
Toomey as the drum beating missionary "Arvide Abernathy" upon Cartwright's arrival at the mission station.
Ten minutes later Frank Sinatra as "Nathan Detroit" receives a clear Master Mason's handshake from "police
Lt. Brannigan" after "Detroit" finishes singing the song Adelaide, Adelaide, Ever Loving Adelaide.
Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing, ｩ 1955 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. About thirty-two minutes
into the film William Holden as "Mark Elliot" and Jennifer Jones as "Han Suyin" swim over to "Suyin's" friends
who have a house across the bay in Hong Kong. Upon arrival "Elliot" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake from "Nora" the Chinese hostess. Much later in Macao, China when Elliot and Suyin visit a
restaurant the proprietor a "Mr. Vicenti" gives Elliot a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake over the dinner table
and suggests that they should go to a better table.
Rebel Without a Cause, ｩ 1955 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Fifty-four minutes into the film Natalie Wood
as "Judy" extends her left hand and takes hold of the left hand of James Dean as "Jim Stark" and gives him a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip immediately after the over-the-cliff car crash where Judy's boyfriend dies.
Wood gives Dean a left-handed Masonic grip?!
The Trouble With Harry, ｩ 1955 Alfred Hitchcock Productions, Inc. Three-quarters of the way through
the film immediately after Shirley Maclaine agrees to marry John Forsythe as "Sam," Sam gives a perfectly clear
Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Edmund Gwenn as "Captain Wyles" as the Captain says, "You're a lucky
man Sammy. I think you'll both be happy."
Giant, ｩ 1956 Giant Productions (two cassettes, Part I & II). After Elizabeth Taylor as "Leslie" marries
Rock Hudson as "Jordan Benedict" they travel to Jordan's cattle ranch in Texas. Twenty-nine minutes into the
film immediately after Leslie is told by Jordan's sister that, "I'm going to round up your neighbors. You're
going to meet some folks, yes indeedee." Scene changes to an outdoor handshaking ceremony. Leslie gives a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to the first neighbor man she shakes hands with and Jordan gives his
wife "Adrian" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Then leslie gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake
to a young woman who holds the edge of her wide brimmed hat. And then Leslie gives an Entered Apprentice
Mason's handshake to the next women in line. Twenty-seven minutes later at the funeral for Jordan's sister in
the main room of the ranch house, Leslie with her back to the camera gives two Fellow Craft Masonic
handshakes to a neighbor couple as they leave. Six minutes later at the end of the funeral and after one of
Leslie's neighbors tells her that they've struck oil and are bringing in a million dollars a month, the neighbor's
wife gives Leslie a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. About nineteen minutes into part two of Giant at the
ranch Christmas party Dennis Hopper as "Jordan's son" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from his
future Mexican wife as she leaves the party.
The Searchers, ｩ 1956 C.V. Whitney Pictures Inc. John Wayne as ex-Confederate soldier "Ethan
Edwards" returns to his brother's homestead after the Civil War. Three minutes into the film John Wayne,
while holding little "Debra," walks to the dinner table where he is greeted by his young niece "Lucy." Lucy
curtsies and says, "I'm mighty glad to see ya Uncle Ethan." John Wayne gives Lucy a center screen Master
Mason's handshake. One hour and thirty-six minutes later Jeffory Hunter as "Marty" and his friend "Charlie"
fight each other in the dirt. Ward Bond then says, "Now come on, I want you boys to shake hands and make
friends." Marty gives Charlie a clear, ten-second long. Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Sayonara, ｩ 1957 Goetz Pictures, Inc. Fourteen minutes into the film at the airport Marlon Brando as
"Major Gruver" greets "General Webster" with a Masonic handshake. Forty-five minutes later "Major
Gruver" gives Red Buttons as "Joe Kelly" a clear 2nd Degree Fellow Craft Masonic handshake on his first visit
to Kelly's Japanese house.
The Bridge on the River Kwai, ｩ 1957 Horizon Pictures (G.B.) Ltd. One hour and sixteen minutes into
the movie William Holden as American "Major Shears" greets Jack Hawkins as British "Major Warden" with a
clear 2nd Degree Fellow Craft Masonic handshake when they first meet on the beach at the Mount-Lavinia
Hospital, Ceylon.
Belt, Book and Candle, ｩ 1958 Phoenix Productions, Inc. About forty minutes into the film occult book
writer "Sidney Redledge" played by Ernie Kovacs walks into the office of the book publisher "Sheperd (Shep)
Henderson" played by James Stewart and says, "Mr. Henderson ah, I'm Sidney Redledge, you don't know me,
but ah, I think I want to see you" (Sidney is under a spell cast by a witch played by Kim Novak). Sidney then
gives Mr. Henderson a clear center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Two minutes later Henderson's
publishing partner "Andy White" walks into the office. Sidney gives Andy a clear Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake. Later in the film Ernie Kovacs shakes hands with Jimmy Stewart two more times. Both are Fellow
Craft Masonic handshakes.
Donald in Mathmagic Land, ｩ 1959 The Walt Disney Company (27 minute animated cartoon). At the
beginning Donald Duck is transported back to ancient Greece to learn about mathematics and music. About
three minutes into the film Donald Duck says, "By golly, you do find mathematics in the darndest places."
Then in a hushed voice the narrator says, "They (the fraternity of eggheads called Pythagoreans) used to meet
in secret to discuss their mathematical discoveries. Only members were allowed to attend (a man wearing a
hood stands at the entrance to a dark cave). They had a secret emblem the pentagram (five pointed star)."
Then two animated palms show the secret pentagram sign to each other. And then the two animated hands
with a
pentagram in their palms shake each other with a handgrip that is not Masonic and the hooded man enters the
cave. Donald Duck goes into the cave where the secret gathering of Pythagorean musicians are playing "slow
music." Donald Duck says, "Gemme something with a beat." The ancient Grecian cartoon characters then
begin to play Jazz music. About two minutes later after the music stops Donald Duck walks up to Pythagoras
and says, "Pythago boy, put her there." Donald Duck gives Pythagoras a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake and
a pentagram then materializes in the palm of Donald's hand. The pentagram is the symbol of the Blazing Star
of Freemasonry and the Order of the Eastern Star, Freemasonry's female auxiliary. Other Masonic symbols in
the cartoon are the 47th problem of Euclid, which is the Pythagorean theorem (in Masonry this is the symbolic
union of man and woman that produces something greater), "the broken column" representing the jewel for
"Martha" which is the fourth degree of the Eastern Star, the chess board (the tessellated floor in every
Masonic lodge representing man's daily struggle on the game board of life) . . . .
North By Northwest, ｩ 1959 Loew's Incorporated. About four minutes into the film Cary Grant as
"Roger Thornhill" receives a clear Entered Apprentice Mason's handgrip from a "Mr. Herman Veltner" who
stands beside a table with two other gentlemen inside the hotel's cocktail lounge.
The Diary Of Anne Frank, ｩ 1959 Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. About nine minutes into
the film "Mr. Frank" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from "Mr. Van Daan" who wears a hat and
dark suit. Then "Mr. Frank" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from "Mrs. Van Daan" played by
Shelly Winters. And then Millie Perkins as "Anne Frank" receives a Master Mason's Handshake from "Mr.
Van Daan." And then she receives another Master Mason's handshake from "Mrs. Van Daan." Next "Mrs.
Frank" receives Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes from "Mr. Van Daan" and "Mrs. Van Daan." "Mrs. Frank"
turns around and gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to the tall young man. The young girl standing
behind "Mrs. Frank" gives the tall young man a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. All of the above can be
seen in freeze-frame in the introductory attic scene.
Exodus, ｩ 1960 MGM-Pathe Communications Co. About six minutes into the film Eva Marie Saint as
"Mrs. Freemont" gives a British officer a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip as she steps out of a taxi in
front of the British embassy on the island of Cyprus. Seconds later Mrs. Freemont greets British general
"Sutherland" inside the embassy gardens with a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Seven minutes later
taxi driver "Ruben" gives Paul Newman as "Ari Ben Canaan" a quick, seen in freeze-frame, Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake at night after Ari swims to shore. Seven minutes later in the taxi company's office Ruben
gives Ari a handshake where Ruben's cocked-thumb does not quite touch Ari's middle knuckle. There are many
handshakes throughout the movie. Many are cocked-thumb handshakes that do not touch the knuckle however
the ones that do are patently Masonic.
Ocean's 11,ｩ 1960 Dorchester Productions, Inc. Frank Sinatra as "Danny Ocean" leads an eleven-man
team of ex-82nd Airborne commandos on a robbery of Los Vegas' biggest casinos. At the end of the film they
place the stolen money in the coffin of a dead friend to be shipped out of town. As Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis
Jr.. Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and the rest of Ocean's Eleven enter the funeral parlor the camera clearly
zooms in on the large Masonic All-Seeing-Eye of Providence enclosed within a radiant triangle emblazoned
over the doorway.
Cape Fear, ｩ 1961 Melville-Talbot Productions. Twelve minutes into the film Gregory Peck as "Sam
Boden" the small town lawyer gives Martin Balsam as "Mark Dutton" the local police chief a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake inside the chiefs garage after the chief decides to arrest the revengeful ex-con who is
harassing Boden.
Mein Kampf, ｩ 1961 Columbia Pictures Corp., Minerva International Films Production. About thirty-two minutes
into the film a hatless high ranking German military officer wearing a grey dress uniform with a high collar gives a
clear, seen in freeze-frame, Master Mason's handshake on the sidewalk before entering the Reichstag. Six minutes later
Hitler appears to give a Masonic handgrip to a soldier who clearly returns a Master Mason's handshake during the scene
where "new colors are dedicated by touching the so-called blood standard from the November coupe in Munich in
1923." Twenty-four minutes later after Germany attacks Poland a frightened Polish partisan wearing a grey hat and
black suit clearly gives the Masonic grand hailing sign of distress. The grand hailing sign is given by raising the arms
until the parts between the elbows and shoulders are perfectly horizontal then raising the rest of the arms to a vertical
position; making that part of the arm below the elbow and that part above it form a square, ninety-degree angle while
keeping the palms open. Seconds later a smiling German officer wearing a steel infantry helmet gives Hitler an Entered
Apprentice Masonic handshake. Eighteen minutes later a German diplomat appears to give Stalin a Masonic handshake.
Hitler is also filmed shaking hands with German military officers who do not give a Masonic handgrip.
Pocketful of Miracles, ｩ 1961 Franton Productions. One hour and eight minutes into the film "The Judge" gives
Bette Davis as the alcoholic down-and-outer "Apple Annie" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake after Annie has
been transformed into a society matron "Mrs. E. Worthington Manville." Six minutes later Glenn Ford as "Dave the
Dude" gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Count Romero" on the dock after Annie's sheltered daughter arrives
by boat from Europe.
West Side Story, ｩ 1961 MGM-Pathe Communications Co., United Artists Presentation. Sixty-one minutes into
the film in the Romeo and Juliet like fire escape balcony scene Natalie Wood as "Maria" extends her right hand and
says, "Good night." Richard Beymer as "Tony" gives her a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip with his left hand and
says, "Good night."
Over 194 films in chronological order, updated in 2001
by Dean Grace
T his is a list of films containing one or more of the three most common Masonic handshakes (pressing the
thumb of the right hand over the knuckle joints or between the knuckle joints on the other hand) used by
certain world political leaders and certain motion picture actors and actresses viewed on various VHS tapes
using the slow motion control and freeze-frame control (pause button) on a VCR. This list of films is arranged
in ascending chronological order according to the year in which each film was made. Time is measured from
the beginning of the Feature Presentation to the first Masonic handshake in the film.
Background: The real grip of the Entered Apprentice, first degree of Freemasonry, is given by pressing the
thumb of the right hand over the forefinger knuckle joint (where it meets the hand) on the other person's hand.
The real Fellow Craft, a.k.a., Fellowship grip of the second degree of Freemasonry, is given by pressing the
thumb of the right hand over the knuckle joint (where it meets the hand) of the second finger (middle finger).
The "pass grip" of the Master Mason, the third degree of Freemasonry, is given by pressing the thumb between
the knuckle joints of the second (middle) and third (ring) fingers. The "pass grip" of the Master Mason is
different from the "Lion's grip" of the Master Mason that is used inside the lodge to raise a person to Master
Mason status.
The Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and the "pass grip" of the Master Mason are the most common
Masonic handshakes used outside of the Masonic lodge. Because of the quick nature of "handshaking" and
differences in the sizes of people's hands any handshake where the outstretched thumb (or cocked-thumb)
presses the first knuckle, the middle knuckle, or the joint between the middle finger knuckle and third finger
knuckle on the other hand is a Masonic handshake recognizable by Freemasons around the world. Freemasons
swear an oath to always conceal and never reveal the secrets of Freemasonry. I am not bound by that
restriction.
List
The Birth of a Nation, ｩ 1915 David W. Griffith Corporation. (202 minute silent film with captions).
After the caption: The visit of the Stoneman boys to their Southern friends, Mae Marsh as "Flora Cameron
(the pet sister)" gives a Masonic handshake to the Stoneman boy with a mustache. After the caption: In the
slave quarters, Henry Walthall as "Ben Cameron" receives a Masonic handshake from the "black slave." After
the caption: The chums promise to meet again, young Cameron "chum" gives young Stoneman "chum" a
Masonic handshake. After the caption: Young Stoneman vows the old vow that his only dreams shall be of
her till they meet again, there is a flurry of clear Masonic handshakes in the farewell scene.
Siegfried, (1924 silent film by Fritz Lang), UFA Productions. The heroic Teutonic knight Siegfried wants
to marry the fair Kriemhild, sister of King Gunther. But first Siegfried must help King Gunther marry the
shrew Brunhilde. Fifty minutes into the film and after the caption: "Keep your word, King Gunther, as I have
kept mine!" King Gunther gives a left handed Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to Kriemhild at the same time
Siegfried gives King Gunther a clear right handed Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
The Gold Rush, (1925 silent film by Charles Chaplin). Forty-two minutes into the film dance hall girl
"Georgia" played by Georgia Hale visits the cabin of "The Lone Prospector" played by Charles Chaplin. As
Georgia leaves the cabin she gives Chaplin a handshake that is at first not Masonic then she curls her thumb
and gives Chaplin an Entered Apprentice Masonic handgrip and then a firm Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Eleven minutes later "Big Jim" played by Mack Swain enters the recorder's office and gives the assayer a
perfect Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Metropolis, (1926 silent film by Fritz Lang). About thirty-eight minutes into the film after the subtitles:
"Rotwang, give your robot this girl's likeness. Hide the girl in your house while the robot directs my will over
the workers," Rudolf Klein Rogge as "Rotwang" gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Joh
Frederson" the master of Metropolis.
Flesh and the Devil, ｩ 1927 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation. John Gilbert as the
dashing nobleman "Leo von Harden" has a passionate love affair with the married "Felicitas" played by Greta
Garbo. Leo kills Felicitas' husband in a duel. Leo's best friend "Urich," played by Lars Hanson, is told that the
duel was over a gambling argument. About fifty-five minutes into the film after returning home from army
duty Leo discovers that while he was away Urich has married Felicitas. After Urich says in the silent film
captions: "She has freely forgiven you for that tragic duel." "When you know Felicitas better, you will love
her, too." Urich gives Leo a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Anna Christie, ｩ 1930 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Six minutes into the film inside the waterfront bar Lee
Phelps as "Larry the bartender" receives an Entered Apprentice Masonic handshake from George F. Marion as
"Chris" Anna Christie's inebriated father in the mens only partition of the bar room. Seven minutes later Marie
Dressier as the inebriated "Marthy" gives Chris a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip over the bar room table
seconds after she says, "You was always square with me." Freemasons are instructed to always be "on the
square" and "on the level" with fellow Freemasons.
Animal Crackers, ｩ 1930 Paramount Publix Corp. Watch the Marx Brothers and Margaret Dumont give
and receive Masonic handshakes.
Dracula, ｩ 1931 Universal Pictures Corp. Thirty-three minutes into the film Dr. Van Helsing meets the
vampire possessed Renfield. Dr. Van Helsing says, "I am here to help you, you understand that, do you not9"
Renfield played by Dwight Frye says, "Why, of course, and I'm very grateful." Renfield gives Van Helsing a
Fellow Craft Masonic Handshake.
Night Nurse, ｩ 1931 Warner Bros., Inc., & the Vitaphone Corp. Barbara Stanwyck as "Miss Hart" applies
for a job at a hospital. Six minutes into the film the newly hired "nurse Hart" gives a clear Entered Apprentice
Masonic handshake to her future nursing buddy "nurse Maloney" played by Joan Blondell. Fourteen minutes
later after "nurse Hart" treats a bullet wound in a bootlegger's arm and doesn't report it to the police, the
bootlegger appears to give her a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Twenty-three Minutes later nurse Hart gives
Mrs. Ritchey, her decadent new employer, a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Two minutes later nurse Hart
runs into the bootlegger at the soda shop and the Masonic phrase "on the level" is used four times in their brief
conversation.
Horse Feathers, ｩ 1932 Paramount Publix Corp. I count eight Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes that the
Marx Brothers give and receive in this film, mostly to and from Groucho Marx.
Sons of the Desert, The Nostalgia Merchant. (Originally produced in 1932.) At the beginning of the film
Laurel and Hardy wearing fezzes attend a Sons of the Desert lodge meeting. The speaker at the podium in Arab
costume says, "We will now take the oath" and bangs a gavel. The speaker then says, "And remember, once
taken this oath has never been broken by any man down through the centuries of time in the history of this
fraternal organization . . ." And then the speaker says, "Place yourself in the position to receive the oath."
Everyone crosses their arms and joins hands with their neighbors. Oliver Hardy's left hand gives Stan Laurel's
right hand a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Duck Soup, ｩ 1933 Paramount Productions, Inc. At the beginning of the film inside the Freedonia
reception hall Louis Calhern as "Ambassador Trentino" receives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from
Margaret Dumont as "Mrs. Teasdale." A little later Mrs. Teasdale gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to
Groucho Marx as "Rufus Firefly." Much later as Groucho is saying, "Mrs. Teasdale you did a noble deed,"
Mrs. Teasdale gives Groucho a perfect close-up Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Flying Down to Rio, ｩ 1933 RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Thirteen minutes into the film Blanche Friderici as
the protective "Aunt Tatia" gives Gene Raymond as the gigolo "Roger Bond" a clear unmistakable Master
Mason's handgrip after Bond dances with Aunt Tatia's niece played by Delores Del Rio. Aunt Tatia presses
paper money into his palm while shaking hands as she says, "My niece thanks you for your politeness young
man. She will not require anymore of your services this afternoon."
King Kong, 1933 Radio Pictures. At the very beginning Sam Hardy as "Mr. Weston" the theatrical agent
appears to give a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Frank Reicher as "Capt. Englehorn" the ship's skipper
inside the ship's cabin.
Little Women, ｩ 1933 RKO Radio Pictures, LTD. At the very beginning of the film in the first scene at the
United States Christian Commission, Spring Byington as "Mrs. Marmee March" gives an old man a coat and
some paper money. The old man gives her a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake as she hands him the money.
Later Henry Stephenson as "Grandfather Laurence" gives Katharine Hepburn as "Jo March" a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake when they meet in Mr. Laurence's home.
She Done Him Wrong, ｩ 1933 Paramount Productions, Inc. Renewed 1960 EMKA Ltd. Ten minutes into
the film Mae West as "Lady Lou" walks into a saloon and gives one of her promising future paramours,
Gilbert Roland as "Serge Stanieff," a clear entered apprentice Masonic handgrip. Serge kisses Lady Lou's right
hand as Lou says to her other male friend, "Oh, take a look at this Gus and learn something."
The Son of Kong, ｩ 1933 RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. About twenty minutes into the film inside a Chinese
bar, bad guy John Marston as "Capt. Helstrom," the man who supplied the map of Kong's island, receives an
Entered Apprentice Mason's handshake from Frank Reicher as "Capt. Englehorn" who sits at a table with
Robert Armstrong as "Carl Denham" the man who used Helstrom's map to capture Kong. In the original King
Kong Denham and Capt. Englehorn then brought King Kong to New York City.
Triumph of the Will, 1933 German propaganda film. In the "new colors are dedicated" scene Hitler
appears to receive two Masonic handshakes in this serious handshaking ceremony.
Treasure Island, ｩ 1934 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. At the film's beginning Otto Kruger as "Dr.
Livesy" and Dorothy Peterson as "Mrs. Hawkins" exchange discreet Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes inside
the inn.
A Night at the Opera, ｩ 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. Groucho Marx as "Otis B. Driftwood" gives
Chico Marx as "Fiorello" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake as they discuss a contract after "Lassparri" is
knocked out. Later Groucho gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Allan Jones as "Carlo Baroni,
a.k.a. Ricurdo" after Chico and Baroni come out of the steamer trunk inside Groucho's small cabin aboard ship.
There are other Masonic handshakes in this movie.
A Tale of Two Cities, ｩ 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. Twenty-one minutes into the film after
landing on the coast of England at night, Donald Woods as the French nobleman "Charles Darnay" accepts an
invitation for supper on Sunday from "Dr. Manette's" daughter. Darnay gives a Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake to Claude Gillingwater as the English banker "Jurvis Lorry" as Lorry says, "Goodbye young man
until Sunday."
David Copperfield, ｩ 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. Sixty-seven minutes into the film Freddie
Bartholomew as "David (the child) Copperfield" gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Roland Young as
"Uriah Heep" downstairs in the home of "Mr. Wickfield" the solicitor.
The 39 Steps, (Made in 1935) A Gaumont-British Picture. Robert Donat as "Richard Hannay" is falsely
accused of murdering a spy. Thirty-nine minutes into the film, after "Hannay" is pursued across Scotland by
police and spies alike to the estate of the nefarious "Professor Jordan," "Hannay" is introduced to the
professor's daughter "Patricia" who wears eyeglasses. "Hannay" gives "Patricia" a Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake.
The Bride of Frankenstein, ｩ 1935 Universal Pictures Corp. About thirty-five minutes into the film Boris
Karloff as "The Monster" arrives at the forest cabin of the violin playing "Blind Hermit" played by OP.
Heggie. Standing in the doorway inside the cabin the Blind Hermit says to The Monster, "What's the matter?"
The Blind Hermit then takes his left hand and feels The Monster's left arm and hand. The Blind Hermit says,
"Your hurt my poor friend, come." The Blind Hermit gives The Monster a left-handed Fellow Craft Masonic
handgrip. The camera angle quickly changes and the Blind Hermit's right hand then leads The Monster into
the cabin. About four minutes later the Blind Hermit gives The Monster bread and wine as they sit at the dinner
table. The Hermit says, "We are friends you and I." They exchange a handshake over the table that is not
Masonic while saying, "Good, good." They both smoke a cigar. The Hermit says, "Before you came I was all
alone. It is bad to be alone." The Monster says, "Alone bad, friend good! Friend good!!!" The Monster then
gives the Hermit a cocked-thumb Masonic handshake over the table. I would not have believed this if I hadn't
seen it in freeze-frame with my own eyes.
San Francisco, ｩ 1936 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation. Twenty minutes into the film at "Blackie
Norton's" private nightclub table Jack Holt as "Jack Burley" gives Clark Gable as "Blackie Norton" a Fellow
Craft Masonic handshake. Then Al Shean as "the Professor, the nightclub's piano player," out of excitement,
gives two clear close-up Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes in a row to William Ricciardi as opera conductor
"Signor Baldini" at the table. There are more Masonic handshakes in this movie.
The Charge of the Light Brigade, ｩ 1936 Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., and Vitaphone Corp. About six
minutes into the film Errol Flynn as British "Major Vickers" gives a Master Mason's handshake to C. Henry
Gordon as Indian chieftain "Surat Khan." Part of Flynn's hand is concealed by the plume of his helmet that he
holds in his left arm. About six minutes later Khan gives Vickers a clear Entered Apprentice Mason's
handshake for saving his life. The camera zooms in for a close-up on this Masonic handgrip. Masonic
handshakes between Vickers, Kahn, and others happen throughout the film.
The Secret Agent, (Made in 1936) Gaumont British Picture Corp., LTD. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
(Based on the novel Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.) At the very beginning of the movie the undertaker
whose left arm is missing gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to the first of three women who leave the
funeral reception room. Thirty minutes later in the gambling casino Peter Marmont as "Caypor" gives
Madeleine Carroll as British espionage agent "Elsa" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake as they are
introduced. Twelve minutes later after Peter Lorre as "the General" kills "Caypor" on a mountain climb, "the
General" in the chalet at the bottom of the mountain gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to "Elsa"
and then receives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from John Gielgud as British espionage agent
"Dick Ashenden." At the very end of the film Charles Carson as British Intelligence Chief "R" shakes hands
with four military officers. Two of the officers can be seen giving "R" Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes.
Lost Horizon, ｩ 1937, renewed 1965 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. About one hour and forty two
minutes into the film as measured from the film's opening title, Edward Everett Horton as "lovy" says to his
friends who have decided to stay at Shangri-La in Tibet, "I've just finished translating one of the most
interesting
old tablets you can imagine, told me all about the origins of the Masonic symbols . . . " Twenty five minutes
later, at the movie's end, in the St. George Club in London, British agent "Lord Gainsford," who pursued
Ronald Coleman as British soldier and diplomat "Robert Conway" on Conway's crazed quest to return to
Shangri-La says, "I trailed him to the most extreme outpost of Tibet. Of course he'd already gone. But his
memory will live with those natives for the rest of their lives. 'The man who was not human' they called him.
They'll never forget the deviled-eyed stranger who six times tried to go over the mountain pass that no other
human being dared to travel, and six times was forced to go back by the severest storms. They'll never forget
the madman who stole their food and clothing, who they locked up in their barracks, but who fought six of
their guards to escape." That makes three audible sixes (666) in a very short breath of time in a 1937
Hollywood movie. The numbers "666," both audible and visually, are subliminally imbedded in various
Hollywood movies.
You Can't Take It With You, ｩ 1938 Columbia Pictures Corp. About fifteen minutes into the film Lionel
Barrymore as "Martin Vanderhof" while sitting in the front room of his home says, "Mr. Poppins, ah this is Mr.
Sycamore, my son-in-law." Donald Meek as "Mr. Poppins" gives the pipe smoking "Mr. Sycamore" a perfect
center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip. Immediately Barrymore then says, "Mr. Poppins, Mr. DePinna."
"Mr. Depinna" played by Halliwell Hobbes gives "Mr. Poppins" a perfect center screen Fellow Craft Masonic
handgrip. There are more clear Fellow Craft Masonic hand grips in the party scene at the end of the movie.
Beau Geste, ｩ 1939 Paramount Pictures, Inc. About forty minutes into the film after Ray Milland as "John
Geste" meets his two brothers in the French Foreign Legion barracks, Charles Barton as the short new recruit
"Mr. McMonigal" gives Robert Preston as "Dirk Geste" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Destry Rides Again, ｩ 1939 Universal Pictures Co., Inc. About ten minutes into the film the honest sheriff
of the City of Bottleneck is killed inside the Bloody Gulch Saloon. Marlene Dietrich as the saloon girl
"Frenchy" then sings a song to the crowd's immense enjoyment. The villain (Brian Donlevy) stands on the
bar's stage and quiets the crowd. The town's mayor then says, "... I do hereby appoint for the post of sheriff
that paragon of courage, that credit to his community, the pride of Bottleneck, Mr. Washington Dimsdale."
"Washington (Wash) Dimsdale" is played by Charles Winninger. "Frenchy" then throws a drink into "Wash's"
face who is passed out on the floor. The crowd cheers. "Wash" sits up on the bar and asks, "What are we
cheering for?" "Frenchy" says, "It's for you Wash, you're the new sheriff." Brian Donlevy then gives "Wash" a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. "Wash" then swears off liquor and sends for "Destry" to help restore
law and order. About ten minutes later the stage coach arrives in town. A meek-looking "Destry" and the
burly "Jack Tyndall" played by Jack Carson get off. "Jack" immediately knocks the stage coach driver out
because of the rough ride. "Wash" mistakenly thinks that tough guy "Jack" is "Destry." "Wash" welcomes
"Jack." "Jack" gives "Wash" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Gone With The Wind, ｩ 1939 Selznick International Pictures, Inc. Eighteen minutes into the film, as
measured from the beginning of the opening overture, Vivien Leigh as "Scarlett O'Hara" steps out of a carriage
on a social visit to the Wilkes' Twelve Oaks plantation and receives a clear center screen Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake from Alicia Rhett as "India Wilkes." Twenty-one minutes later at the bazaar in Atlanta Olivia de
Havilland as "Mrs. Ashley Wilkes" gives Clark Gable as "Rhett Butler" a clear Master Mason's handgrip.
Idiot's Delight, ｩ 1939 Loew's, Inc. Thirty minutes into the film as Clark Gable and his troupe of chorus
girls arrive at the posh Alpine Inn, Clark Gable as "Harry" gives Skeets Gallagher as "Don Navadel" the social
manager of the inn a fast Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
The Little Princess, ｩ 1939 Twentieth Century-Fox Corp. About seventeen minutes into the film Shirley
Temple as "Sarah, the little princess" gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Richard Greene as
"Mr. Goeffrey Hamilton" her new horse riding instructor at the boarding house.
Foreign Correspondent, ｩ 1940 Walter Wanger Productions, Inc. Joel McCrea is an American news
reporter in London at the beginning World War II. Sixteen minutes into the film at a diplomatic cocktail party
McCrea shakes hands with Herbert Marshall as "Stephen Fisher." The handshake is not Masonic but then
McCrea takes his left hand out of his pocket and gives Marshall a very quick and truly esoteric Mark Master
Mason's handgrip. "Mark Master Mason" is the beginning of Royal Arch Freemasonry in the York Rite. The
two men look like pillars that appear to support a Royal Arch window in the background over their heads.
Moments later McCrea gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip to the smiling "Latvian" who wears white
gloves. Thirty minutes later McCrea, while standing in his pajamas in a hotel room and talking to Laraine Day,
gives the Latvian another Fellow Craft Masonic Handshake at the room's doorway.
The Grapes of Wrath, ｩ 1940 Twentieth Century Fox. About twenty-five minutes into the film
Henry Fonda as "Tom Joad" greets Jane Darwell as "Ma Joad" with a clear Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake when "Tom" returns from prison.
Road to Zanzibar, ｩ 1941 Paramount Pictures, Inc. About fifteen minutes into the film Bing Crosby as
"Chuck" and Bob Hope as "Fearless" drink champagne in a South African nightclub. The police come into
the nightclub looking for two Americans (Chuck and Fearless) who burned down a carnival. To escape the
police "Chuck" and "Fearless" go up on the nightclub's stage and dance with the show girls. As an encore
"Chuck" and "Fearless" give their impression of two orchestra leaders meeting on the boulevard. At center
stage Bing Crosby as "Chuck" gives Bob Hope as "Fearless" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Sergeant York, ｩ 1941 Warner Bros. Seven minutes into the film "Luke" the U.S. mail carrier gives
"Zeke" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake inside Rosier Pile's General Merchandise store. Thirty-eight
minutes later Gary Cooper as "Alvin York" gives "Mr. Tompkins" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake for
extending the time for a land sale. Five minutes later Alvin York gives Walter Brennan as "Pastor Rosier Pile"
a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake after Pastor Pile declares York the winner in a shooting contest.
The Great Lie, ｩ 1941 Warner Bros. Pictures. About forty minutes into the film Lucile Watson as "Mrs.
Greenfield, a.k.a., Aunt Ada" gives "Colonel Harriston" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake in the study of her
mansion house just before she is told that Peter Van Allen's airplane is missing over the jungles of Brazil.
Mrs. Miniver, ｩ 1942 Loew's Inc. About forty minutes into the film Rhys Williams as "Horace" gives a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Walter Pidgeon as "Clem Miniver" in "Miniver's" dining room just
before "Horace" leaves for the war front. Much later near the film's end Dame May Whitty as "Lady Beldon"
gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Henry Travers as "Mr. Ballard" at the awards table on the stage
while "Mr. Ballard" accepts the trophy for winning first place in the flower contest for the best rose.
Girl Crazy, ｩ 1943 Loew's Inc. Mickey Rooney as rich kid "Danny Churchill, Jr." who has a taste for
wine, women, and song is sent to an all-male college by his father. The college is about to be closed and only
the State Governor who is a political friend of "Danny's" father can help. Sixty-six minutes into the film, after
"Danny" has given six handshakes during the movie that were not Masonic, "Danny" and Judy Garland go to
the Governor's office to save the school. Moments after "Danny" puts on an amazing display of verbal
linguistics to cheer-up Judy Garland an almost speechless "Danny," who is awed by the Governor's presence,
gives Howard Freeman as "Governor Tait" a clear Entered Apprentice Masonic handshake.
Yankee Doodle Dandy, ｩ 1943 Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. About five minutes into the film James Cagney
as "George M. Cohan" receives a perfect center screen Master Mason's handshake from Capt. Jack Young as
"President Franklin D. Roosevelt" across the President's desk inside the Oval Office. It just doesn't get much
better than this.
Going My Way, ｩ 1944 Paramount Pictures Inc. About fifteen minutes into the film in the courtyard of St.
Dominic's parish Bing Crosby as "Father O'Malley" introduces two Catholic priests to each other. Crosby says,
"Father Fitzgibbon, this is my old friend Father O'Dell." The light-hearted "Fr. O'Dell" cheerfully extends his
right hand and receives a feeble Master Mason's handshake from Barry Fitzgerald as the melancholy "Fr.
Fitzgibbon."
Meet Me In St Louis, ｩ 1944 Loew's Inc. About one hour and twenty minutes into the film Judy Garland
and her "Grandpa" go to the big dance. "Warren" and June Lockhart as "Lucille" enter the ballroom. "Lucille"
gives "Grandpa" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip as they are introduced.
The Keys of the Kingdom, ｩ 1944 Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. About fourteen minutes into the
film at the railroad station just before he leaves for Catholic Holywell College Gregory Peck as "Francis
Chisholm" gives "Willie" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Fifteen minutes later as "Father Francis"
played by Gregory Peck volunteers for missionary work in China, he gives his old fishing buddy who has
recently become "the new Bishop" played By Edmund Gwenn a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. One
hour and twenty-one minutes later "Fr. Francis" gives Vincent Price as "Father Angus" a clear Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake as "Fr. Angus" leaves China. Twenty minutes later upon leaving his mission station in
rural China to return to Scotland an aged "Fr. Francis" gives his old Chinese friend a clear Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake. "Fr. Francis" then gives his young Chinese friend a clear Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake. Four minutes later back in Scotland Sir Cedric Hardwicke as "Monsignor" says, "It is an honor to
have known you Father" as he gives Fr. Francis a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Moments later
before he steps into an automobile Monsignor says, "There is nothing I will say to the Bishop that in anyway
will alter your position here or your hopes for the future." Fr. Francis says, "Thank you." Monsignor says,
"Thank you Father Chisholm" as he gives him another clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
The Corn Is Green, ｩ 1945 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Three minutes into the film "Miss Ronberry"
gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Squire Cheggerby" as the meet inside the Welsh cottage.
Deception, ｩ 1946 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Twenty-three minutes into the film Claude Rains as music
maestro "Alexander Hollenius" gives Paul Henreid as the cello playing "Karel Novak" a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake when they first meet at the wedding reception party for "Karel" and his new bride
"Christine" played by Bette Davis.
It's a Wonderful Life, ｩ 1946 Liberty Films, Inc. About thirty minutes into the film James Stewart as
"George Bailey" gives a clear Entered Apprentice Mason's handshake to Lionel Barrymore as the bad guy
financier "Mr. Potter" in Potter's office over his desk when Potter tries to hire Bailey. Bailey looks at his hand
in disgust and decides not to work for Potter.
Road to Utopia, ｩ 1946 Paramount Pictures, Inc. In this film Bob Hope is "Chester" and Bing Crosby is
"Duke." About one hour and twenty minutes into the film Chester and Duke walk into the Alaskan Golden Rail
Saloon owned by "Ace Larson." While Ace, Chester, and Duke stand at the bar Ace suspects that they are the
notorious bad guys called "Sperry and M'Gerk" who when caught are to be hanged. Ace says to Chester and
Duke, "We'll know em when we see em, you see they always travel with a big shaggy dog." Chester and Duke
laugh off any connection with the bad guys. Ace then says, "The minute we see that dog we're going to string
em up." Then a big shaggy dog walks into the saloon, walks up next to Chester, eats part of Chester's sandwich
(all unseen by Ace Larson), and starts barking. Chester then starts barking. Duke says to Ace, "He thinks he's
a dog. His mother was frightened by a Pekinese." Duke says to Chester, "That's alright Rover. That's a good
fellow. Gemme your paw Rov, gemme your paw." Chester (Bob Hope) gives Duke (Bing Crosby) a clear
center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Copacahana, ｩ 1947 Republic Pictures Corp. Halfway through the film and immediately after "Mr.
Liggett" the theatrical agent buys Fifi's contract for five thousand dollars from Groucho Marx as "Devereaux"
her agent, Devereaux gives Liggett a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Johnny Belinda. ｩ 1948 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. About forty-five minutes into the film Lew Ayres as
"Robert Richardson" the village's doctor takes Belinda into town for a medical examination by a specialist.
After the examination the specialist informs Richardson that Belinda's disability will not affect her pregnancy.
The specialist standing in his office says, "I'll be interested in following the case with you." Richardson says,
"I'd be very grateful" as he gives the specialist a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
State of the Union, ｩ 1948 Liberty Films, Inc. Spencer Tracy as "Grant Mathews" is the idealistic
industrialist who runs for the Presidency. About one hour and twenty-five minutes into the film Mathews and
his campaign manager meet "Congressman Lauterback" in a cab in Washington, D.C. After the political deal
is made Congressman Lauterback gives Mathews a soft Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip. Instantly Mathews
realizes that his political idealism has ended. There are other Masonic handgrips in this film.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre, ｩ 1948 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. In this movie's final scene at the
very end, Walter Huston as "Howard" says farewell to "Curtin" his young prospecting buddy played by
Tim Holt. Both are on horseback and "Curtin's" right arm is in a sling. Walter Huston's right hand gives Tim
Holt's left hand a Master Mason's handgrip, seen in freeze-frame, as they depart.
All The King's Men, ｩ 1949 Columbia Pictures Corporation. About thirty-nine minutes into the film after
Broderick Crawford as politician "Willie Stark" learns how to win political campaigns there is a scene where
bank checks and paper currency drift across the screen. Then two hands in an overhead full screen close-up
shake each other with perfect Fellow Craft Masonic hand grips.
The Fountainhead, ｩ 1949 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Forty-five minutes into the film Gary Cooper as
the architect "Howard Roark" gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to the millionaire building
contractor "Roger Enright" at the party to celebrate the opening of Enright House.
The Heiress, ｩ 1949 Paramount Pictures, Inc. Fifty-three minutes into the film Montgomery Gift as the
dashing fortune hunter "Mr. Townsend" gives Sir Ralph Richardson as the rich "Dr. Sloper" a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake in the Dr.'s parlor when Townsend comes over to ask to marry the Dr.'s wealthy spinster
daughter, his only heir.
Broken Arrow, ｩ 1950 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. About thirty minutes into the film Debra Paget
as the Apache Indian called "White Painted Lady" gives James Stewart as "Tom Jeffords" an Entered
Apprentice Mason's handgrip inside a tepee. About fifty minutes later at the Indian marriage ceremony for
Stewart and Paget, the medicine man ties Paget's left hand to Stewart's right hand with a cord. Stewart clearly
presses his thumb directly over Paget's middle knuckle. And "Tom Jeffords" and the "White Painted Lady"
are united in marriage with a binding Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip.
Kim, ｩ 1950 Loew's Inc. Twenty minutes into the film Cecil Kellaway as British secret agent "Chunder,"
disguised as a native of India, gives a clear center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Robert Douglas as
"Colonel Creighton," chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service in India. Thirty-one minutes later Dean
Stockwell as "Kim" gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Dr. Bronson" the headmaster of the boys'
school. Seconds later Kim then receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip from a boy across the dinner table.
The Day The Earth Stood Still, ｩ 1951 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. About twenty-
eight minutes into the film Michael Rennie as the space traveler "Klaatu" receives a clear 2nd degree
Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from Patricia Neal's boyfriend "Tom Stevens" inside the boarding house.
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, ｩ 1952 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. About twenty-five minutes into
the film inside the Catholic church, a kneeling priest wearing a gold gilded garment and black hat rises from
prayer and turns to receive a black robbed women called "Serora Carara" (sp?) who works for the church. The
woman bows and kisses the priest's hand and then clearly gives him a Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip before she
says, " . . I couldn't miss St. Anthony's feast day. Besides I'm taking my crippled son to the cova. I'm sure Our
Lady will be there again today."
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, ｩ 1954 Walt Disney Productions. Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre are
shipwrecked survivors who have been taken captive aboard the Nautilus submarine by Captain Nemo. About
one hour and twenty minutes into the film the Nautilus runs aground off the coast of New Guinea. Douglas and
Lorre go ashore to collect specimens. Once on land Douglas decides to escape into the jungle but Lorre
decides to return to the Nautilus. As they part ways, Kirk Douglas gives Peter Lorre a quick Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake.
Them, ｩ 1954 Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. About twenty minutes into the film after Edmund Gwenn as
giant ant expert "Dr. Medford" arrives at the airport on a military airplane James Arness as "F.B.I. agent
Robert Graham" appears to give the "Dr." a Master Mason's handshake then James Whitmore as "patrolman
Ben Peterson" gives the "Dr." a perfectly clear Master Mason's handshake.
White Christmas, ｩ 1954 Paramount Pictures Corp. One hour and twenty-six minutes into the film at the
cast party for the musical troupe Danny Kaye as "Phil" announces his wedding engagement. "Mr. Haring" who
wears a brown striped suit jacket congratulates "Phil" with a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Guys and Dolls, ｩ 1955 Samuel Goldwyn Productions, Inc. Sixty-three minutes into the film Kathryn
Givney as Save-a-Soul missionary "General Cartwright" gives a clear Master Mason's handshake to Regis
Toomey as the drum beating missionary "Arvide Abernathy" upon Cartwright's arrival at the mission station.
Ten minutes later Frank Sinatra as "Nathan Detroit" receives a clear Master Mason's handshake from "police
Lt. Brannigan" after "Detroit" finishes singing the song Adelaide, Adelaide, Ever Loving Adelaide.
Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing, ｩ 1955 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. About thirty-two minutes
into the film William Holden as "Mark Elliot" and Jennifer Jones as "Han Suyin" swim over to "Suyin's" friends
who have a house across the bay in Hong Kong. Upon arrival "Elliot" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake from "Nora" the Chinese hostess. Much later in Macao, China when Elliot and Suyin visit a
restaurant the proprietor a "Mr. Vicenti" gives Elliot a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake over the dinner table
and suggests that they should go to a better table.
Rebel Without a Cause, ｩ 1955 Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Fifty-four minutes into the film Natalie Wood
as "Judy" extends her left hand and takes hold of the left hand of James Dean as "Jim Stark" and gives him a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip immediately after the over-the-cliff car crash where Judy's boyfriend dies.
Wood gives Dean a left-handed Masonic grip?!
The Trouble With Harry, ｩ 1955 Alfred Hitchcock Productions, Inc. Three-quarters of the way through
the film immediately after Shirley Maclaine agrees to marry John Forsythe as "Sam," Sam gives a perfectly clear
Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to Edmund Gwenn as "Captain Wyles" as the Captain says, "You're a lucky
man Sammy. I think you'll both be happy."
Giant, ｩ 1956 Giant Productions (two cassettes, Part I & II). After Elizabeth Taylor as "Leslie" marries
Rock Hudson as "Jordan Benedict" they travel to Jordan's cattle ranch in Texas. Twenty-nine minutes into the
film immediately after Leslie is told by Jordan's sister that, "I'm going to round up your neighbors. You're
going to meet some folks, yes indeedee." Scene changes to an outdoor handshaking ceremony. Leslie gives a
clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to the first neighbor man she shakes hands with and Jordan gives his
wife "Adrian" a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Then leslie gives a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake
to a young woman who holds the edge of her wide brimmed hat. And then Leslie gives an Entered Apprentice
Mason's handshake to the next women in line. Twenty-seven minutes later at the funeral for Jordan's sister in
the main room of the ranch house, Leslie with her back to the camera gives two Fellow Craft Masonic
handshakes to a neighbor couple as they leave. Six minutes later at the end of the funeral and after one of
Leslie's neighbors tells her that they've struck oil and are bringing in a million dollars a month, the neighbor's
wife gives Leslie a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. About nineteen minutes into part two of Giant at the
ranch Christmas party Dennis Hopper as "Jordan's son" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from his
future Mexican wife as she leaves the party.
The Searchers, ｩ 1956 C.V. Whitney Pictures Inc. John Wayne as ex-Confederate soldier "Ethan
Edwards" returns to his brother's homestead after the Civil War. Three minutes into the film John Wayne,
while holding little "Debra," walks to the dinner table where he is greeted by his young niece "Lucy." Lucy
curtsies and says, "I'm mighty glad to see ya Uncle Ethan." John Wayne gives Lucy a center screen Master
Mason's handshake. One hour and thirty-six minutes later Jeffory Hunter as "Marty" and his friend "Charlie"
fight each other in the dirt. Ward Bond then says, "Now come on, I want you boys to shake hands and make
friends." Marty gives Charlie a clear, ten-second long. Fellow Craft Masonic handshake.
Sayonara, ｩ 1957 Goetz Pictures, Inc. Fourteen minutes into the film at the airport Marlon Brando as
"Major Gruver" greets "General Webster" with a Masonic handshake. Forty-five minutes later "Major
Gruver" gives Red Buttons as "Joe Kelly" a clear 2nd Degree Fellow Craft Masonic handshake on his first visit
to Kelly's Japanese house.
The Bridge on the River Kwai, ｩ 1957 Horizon Pictures (G.B.) Ltd. One hour and sixteen minutes into
the movie William Holden as American "Major Shears" greets Jack Hawkins as British "Major Warden" with a
clear 2nd Degree Fellow Craft Masonic handshake when they first meet on the beach at the Mount-Lavinia
Hospital, Ceylon.
Belt, Book and Candle, ｩ 1958 Phoenix Productions, Inc. About forty minutes into the film occult book
writer "Sidney Redledge" played by Ernie Kovacs walks into the office of the book publisher "Sheperd (Shep)
Henderson" played by James Stewart and says, "Mr. Henderson ah, I'm Sidney Redledge, you don't know me,
but ah, I think I want to see you" (Sidney is under a spell cast by a witch played by Kim Novak). Sidney then
gives Mr. Henderson a clear center screen Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Two minutes later Henderson's
publishing partner "Andy White" walks into the office. Sidney gives Andy a clear Fellow Craft Masonic
handshake. Later in the film Ernie Kovacs shakes hands with Jimmy Stewart two more times. Both are Fellow
Craft Masonic handshakes.
Donald in Mathmagic Land, ｩ 1959 The Walt Disney Company (27 minute animated cartoon). At the
beginning Donald Duck is transported back to ancient Greece to learn about mathematics and music. About
three minutes into the film Donald Duck says, "By golly, you do find mathematics in the darndest places."
Then in a hushed voice the narrator says, "They (the fraternity of eggheads called Pythagoreans) used to meet
in secret to discuss their mathematical discoveries. Only members were allowed to attend (a man wearing a
hood stands at the entrance to a dark cave). They had a secret emblem the pentagram (five pointed star)."
Then two animated palms show the secret pentagram sign to each other. And then the two animated hands
with a
pentagram in their palms shake each other with a handgrip that is not Masonic and the hooded man enters the
cave. Donald Duck goes into the cave where the secret gathering of Pythagorean musicians are playing "slow
music." Donald Duck says, "Gemme something with a beat." The ancient Grecian cartoon characters then
begin to play Jazz music. About two minutes later after the music stops Donald Duck walks up to Pythagoras
and says, "Pythago boy, put her there." Donald Duck gives Pythagoras a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake and
a pentagram then materializes in the palm of Donald's hand. The pentagram is the symbol of the Blazing Star
of Freemasonry and the Order of the Eastern Star, Freemasonry's female auxiliary. Other Masonic symbols in
the cartoon are the 47th problem of Euclid, which is the Pythagorean theorem (in Masonry this is the symbolic
union of man and woman that produces something greater), "the broken column" representing the jewel for
"Martha" which is the fourth degree of the Eastern Star, the chess board (the tessellated floor in every
Masonic lodge representing man's daily struggle on the game board of life) . . . .
North By Northwest, ｩ 1959 Loew's Incorporated. About four minutes into the film Cary Grant as
"Roger Thornhill" receives a clear Entered Apprentice Mason's handgrip from a "Mr. Herman Veltner" who
stands beside a table with two other gentlemen inside the hotel's cocktail lounge.
The Diary Of Anne Frank, ｩ 1959 Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. About nine minutes into
the film "Mr. Frank" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from "Mr. Van Daan" who wears a hat and
dark suit. Then "Mr. Frank" receives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake from "Mrs. Van Daan" played by
Shelly Winters. And then Millie Perkins as "Anne Frank" receives a Master Mason's Handshake from "Mr.
Van Daan." And then she receives another Master Mason's handshake from "Mrs. Van Daan." Next "Mrs.
Frank" receives Fellow Craft Masonic handshakes from "Mr. Van Daan" and "Mrs. Van Daan." "Mrs. Frank"
turns around and gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to the tall young man. The young girl standing
behind "Mrs. Frank" gives the tall young man a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. All of the above can be
seen in freeze-frame in the introductory attic scene.
Exodus, ｩ 1960 MGM-Pathe Communications Co. About six minutes into the film Eva Marie Saint as
"Mrs. Freemont" gives a British officer a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip as she steps out of a taxi in
front of the British embassy on the island of Cyprus. Seconds later Mrs. Freemont greets British general
"Sutherland" inside the embassy gardens with a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake. Seven minutes later
taxi driver "Ruben" gives Paul Newman as "Ari Ben Canaan" a quick, seen in freeze-frame, Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake at night after Ari swims to shore. Seven minutes later in the taxi company's office Ruben
gives Ari a handshake where Ruben's cocked-thumb does not quite touch Ari's middle knuckle. There are many
handshakes throughout the movie. Many are cocked-thumb handshakes that do not touch the knuckle however
the ones that do are patently Masonic.
Ocean's 11,ｩ 1960 Dorchester Productions, Inc. Frank Sinatra as "Danny Ocean" leads an eleven-man
team of ex-82nd Airborne commandos on a robbery of Los Vegas' biggest casinos. At the end of the film they
place the stolen money in the coffin of a dead friend to be shipped out of town. As Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis
Jr.. Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and the rest of Ocean's Eleven enter the funeral parlor the camera clearly
zooms in on the large Masonic All-Seeing-Eye of Providence enclosed within a radiant triangle emblazoned
over the doorway.
Cape Fear, ｩ 1961 Melville-Talbot Productions. Twelve minutes into the film Gregory Peck as "Sam
Boden" the small town lawyer gives Martin Balsam as "Mark Dutton" the local police chief a Fellow Craft
Masonic handshake inside the chiefs garage after the chief decides to arrest the revengeful ex-con who is
harassing Boden.
Mein Kampf, ｩ 1961 Columbia Pictures Corp., Minerva International Films Production. About thirty-two minutes
into the film a hatless high ranking German military officer wearing a grey dress uniform with a high collar gives a
clear, seen in freeze-frame, Master Mason's handshake on the sidewalk before entering the Reichstag. Six minutes later
Hitler appears to give a Masonic handgrip to a soldier who clearly returns a Master Mason's handshake during the scene
where "new colors are dedicated by touching the so-called blood standard from the November coupe in Munich in
1923." Twenty-four minutes later after Germany attacks Poland a frightened Polish partisan wearing a grey hat and
black suit clearly gives the Masonic grand hailing sign of distress. The grand hailing sign is given by raising the arms
until the parts between the elbows and shoulders are perfectly horizontal then raising the rest of the arms to a vertical
position; making that part of the arm below the elbow and that part above it form a square, ninety-degree angle while
keeping the palms open. Seconds later a smiling German officer wearing a steel infantry helmet gives Hitler an Entered
Apprentice Masonic handshake. Eighteen minutes later a German diplomat appears to give Stalin a Masonic handshake.
Hitler is also filmed shaking hands with German military officers who do not give a Masonic handgrip.
Pocketful of Miracles, ｩ 1961 Franton Productions. One hour and eight minutes into the film "The Judge" gives
Bette Davis as the alcoholic down-and-outer "Apple Annie" a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handshake after Annie has
been transformed into a society matron "Mrs. E. Worthington Manville." Six minutes later Glenn Ford as "Dave the
Dude" gives a Fellow Craft Masonic handshake to "Count Romero" on the dock after Annie's sheltered daughter arrives
by boat from Europe.
West Side Story, ｩ 1961 MGM-Pathe Communications Co., United Artists Presentation. Sixty-one minutes into
the film in the Romeo and Juliet like fire escape balcony scene Natalie Wood as "Maria" extends her right hand and
says, "Good night." Richard Beymer as "Tony" gives her a clear Fellow Craft Masonic handgrip with his left hand and
says, "Good night."