-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 ZnO820231iqS/G+gHOXWgA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-06-006039.txt : 20060214
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-06-006039.hdr.sgml : 20060214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060214154121
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-06-006039
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060214

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLARK WILLIAM A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258129

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-02363
		FILM NUMBER:		06614399

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2828-255-4835

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CORNERSTONE ADVISORS, INC.
		STREET 2:		ONE WEST PARK SQUARE, SUITE 1650
		CITY:			ASHEVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28801

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000033934
		IRS NUMBER:				132727013
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BEAR STEARNS FUNDS MGMT INC.
		STREET 2:		383 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10179
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122722093

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BEAR STEARNS FUNDS MGMT INC.
		STREET 2:		383 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10179

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EIS FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EXCELSIOR INCOME SHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>v034914_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>1</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000033934</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001258129</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLARK WILLIAM A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>116 SONDLEY PKWY.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ASHEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28805</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3579.297</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes (i) 3,074 shares acquired in exchange for securities of The Cornerstone Strategic Return Fund, Inc. pursuant to the
 merger on October 25, 2002 of The Cornerstone Strategic Return Fund, Inc. with and into the Registrant, and (ii) an
 aggregate of 505.297 shares  subsequently acquired pursuant to the Reporting Person's participation in the Registrant's
 Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William A. Clark</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-03-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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