What is the origin of 'fickle finger of fate'?

ANSWER: The phrase, "fickle finger of fate." was a favorite saying of the title character in the 1966 Broadway musical, Sweet Charity.

ANSWER:

"The flying fickle finger of fate" was first used on the television programme 'Laugh-In'

ANSWER:

The Fickle Finger of Fate (also known as El Dedo del destino and The Cup of St. Sebastian) is a 1967 comedy film directed by Richard Rush, produced by Sidney W. Pink, and starring Tab Hunter. Hunter stars as a clumsy businessman who accidentally gets wrapped up in a plot of intrigue while on a trip to Spain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fickle_Finger_of_Fate

ANSWER:

The "fickle finger of fate" was mentioned at 2:40 in season 1, episode 35 of McHale's Navy, air date 6/13/63. Capt. Binghamton: "Carpenter, we've been tapped by the fickle finger." Lt. Carpenter: "Oh, yes sir. What finger was that, sir?" Binghamton: "Fate, you numbskull, fate." McHale's Navy is available on Hulu.