Randall's Thumb was produced on 25th January 1871 at the opening of Marie Litton's new Court Theatre in Sloane Square. It held the stage for 104 nights.

The title refers to the unpleasant position in which a young gentleman named Buckthorpe is placed, having attacked a supposed robber in self-defence causing the robber to fall from a cliff. Supposing that he will be accused of murder, Buckthorpe flees the country and by doing so puts himself “under the thumb” of Randall.