An FBI agent goes undercover to investigate the sabotage of American cargo ships.
This Crime Does Not Pay entry focuses on fake spiritualists. A mother is worried about her son, who is missing in action. Over time, she gives a con man all of the family savings to find reassurance that her son is all right. When she can no longer pay, events take a tragic turn.
Phantoms, Inc.
1945
5
1940. Sixteen year old Phillip is one of a number of amateur radio operators across the US, doing it purely as a fun hobby. He is informed by Bill Beck of the Radio and Intelligence Division (RID) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that amateur international radio communication is now banned due to spying a result of the war in Europe. Beck, on behalf of the RID, asks Phillip, however, to continue to monitor the airwaves for suspicious activity.
Patrolling the Ether
1944
6
In this entry in the MGM "Crime Does Not Pay" series young Frank Davis, dropping out of school and joining a small-time hoodlum gang, finds out that leading a life of crime is not all he thought it would be.
Easy Life
1944
5
In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, a criminal idolizes the life of a famous gangster - unaware that his hero met a tragic end.
The Last Installment
1945
5
An episode in the "Crime Does Not Pay" series. Dave Miller, an aircraft plant worker, is actually selling secret bomber plans to foreign agents. United States Intelligence Department agents plan to trap him and the spies he works for.
While America Sleeps
1939
6
An expose of attempts by wealthy people to avoid payment of customs duties. Part of the MGM "Crime Does Not Pay" series.
Pound Foolish
1940
7
This entry in MGM's "Crime Does Not Pay" series deals with shady companies selling fake merchandise.
Buyer Beware
1940
6
In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, a man and his racketeer buddies devise a scheme to bilk those already seemingly desperate for money of what little they have.
Sucker List
1941
6
This MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short looks at the U.S. Department of Immigration's efforts to halt the smuggling of illegal aliens into the country. Desperate immigrants, tired of waiting for legal entry, pay exorbitant fees and risk a grisly death to enter by illegal means.
Forbidden Passage
1941
6
A man runs over a young couple on a deserted road, then leaves the scene and tries to cover up the incident.
Hit-and-Run Driver
1935
6
In this MGM "Crime Does Not Pay" series short, a radio and television engineer falls into a life of crime by dismantling alarms for robberies.
The Perfect Set-Up
1936
6
In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, a protection racket preying on milk distribution is broken through the persistence of law enforcement and the courage of a local businessman.
The Public Pays
1936
7
In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, police go after a fraud operation that stages automobile accidents to collect insurance money.
Torture Money
1937
6
In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, doctors scam patients with a fake cure for cancer.
Miracle Money
1938
5
An embezzler who expects to serve his time in prison and then pick up his buried loot is in for a surprise.
Buried Loot
1935
6
Alibi Racket
1935
6
This MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short features a big city crime boss's attempt to use his crime "machine" to fraudulently win reelection for the current corrupt mayor. By using several illegal tactics, and aided by voter apathy, the crime boss nearly continues his control of the city.
You, the People
1940
5
In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, a man destroys his life through gambling debts and stealing company funds.
The Luckiest Guy in the World
1947
6
Dark Shadows
1944
9
This entry in the Crime Does Not Pay series focuses on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's effort to ensure that drugs are fully tested before they are sold to consumers. Two unscrupulous investors market the drug 'Diabulin' as a substitute for insulin after preliminary tests show good results. After a short time, however, users start dying from the drug. The FDA and the state attorney general's office then go after the drug marketers.
Purity Squad
1945
7