<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001111830-12-000304.txt : 20120509
<SEC-HEADER>0001111830-12-000304.hdr.sgml : 20120509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120509165910
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001111830-12-000304
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120224
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120509
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120509

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Bridge Theresa Minogue
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001549612

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-02363
		FILM NUMBER:		12826536

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
		STREET 2:		225 PICTORIA DRIVE, SUITE 450
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45246

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:		C/O ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
		STREET 2:		350 JERICHO TURNPIKE, SUITE 206
		CITY:			JERICHO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11753
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(646) 881-4985

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
		STREET 2:		350 JERICHO TURNPIKE, SUITE 206
		CITY:			JERICHO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11753

	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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>crf_form3-0512.xml
<DESCRIPTION>OWNERSHIP DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0205</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-02-24</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001549612</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bridge Theresa Minogue</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>225 PICTORIA DRIVE, SUITE 450</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45246</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Treasurer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares of Beneficial Ownership</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Theresa M. Bridge</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-05-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
