The Perfect Set-Up

Feb 1, 1936

0h 21m

★ 6.0

Overview

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.

Genres

Crime

Drama

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The Perfect Set-Up Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Mary (uncredited)

Helene Chadwick

Theatre Employee Shooting Victim (uncredited)

Robert Dudley

San Francisco Police Detective (uncredited)

William Gould

Witness (uncredited)

Mahlon Hamilton

Alan E. Saunders (uncredited)

William Henry

Chet (uncredited)

J. Anthony Hughes

Detective Hewitt (uncredited)

Frank Shannon

Police Detective (uncredited)

Ben Taggart

MGM Crime Reporter Jim (uncredited)

William Tannen

Dave Mayne (uncredited)

Harry Tyler

Seeking to avoid arrest while fleeing through a city park at night, two jewel thieves, Gordon and young Tommy, stash some just-stolen jewels on elderly, unknowing Martha Abbott. They then invite Martha to come live with them as their housekeeper, duping her into helping fence their goods. When Martha eventually becomes aware of the criminal activities, she strives to help Tommy reform.

9.0

Know Your Money

Jan 27, 1940

This MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short tells the fictitious story of a bill counterfeiting ring and explores the government's attempt to curb counterfeiting.

7.0

Purity Squad

Nov 3, 1945

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.

4.7

For the Common Defense!

Jun 20, 1942

This Crime Does Not Pay short shows how cooperation among all the nations of the Americas helps the war effort. In this case, a US government agent travels to Chile and Colombia. He works with local authorities to try to thwart an Axis plan to ship stolen ammunition.

6.7

Money to Loan

Mar 11, 1939

The MGM crime reporter introduces Norman Kennedy, District Attorney of a large city, he who talks about the general want for money, and the extraordinary lengths some will go to to get it. The loan sharking business has that want for money on both sides. He tells the story of one such loan shark, Stephen Hanley, who tried to pass his company off as a legitimate loan business, but who charged exorbitant rates, and used extortion and fraud to get out of his customers even more than what they may have owed on paper.

6.4

Jack Pot

Mar 9, 1940

This entry in MGM's "Crime Does Not Pay" series deals with illegal gambling and bookmaking.

7.0

Help Wanted

Jun 10, 1939

A temporary laborer who helps bring down a mob-sponsored employment racket

6.3

Think It Over

Jul 24, 1938

A gang of 'professional torches' burn down stores for the insurance money.

8.0

A Criminal Is Born

Jun 5, 1938

An entry in MGM's Crime Does Not Pay series, this short tells the true story of how a young man, ignored by his parents, gets into a gang and starts a crime spree which leads to murder.

5.9

They're Always Caught

Jul 3, 1938

This MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short shows the role the crime laboratory plays in the solving of cases, and how even the smallest detail can become a major clue.

9.1

Dark Shadows

Dec 16, 1944

A police psychiatrist is enlisted to catch a killer.

5.9

Don't Talk

Feb 28, 1942

This Crime Does Not Pay series entry dramatizes the idea that during wartime, people should not discuss anything related to their work when in public. A casual remark can be overheard by an enemy agent and used to sabotage the war effort. In this short, the story involves shipments of parts to a defense plant.

5.9

The Wrong Way Out

Dec 24, 1938

Two young people get married and run away, even though their parents advise them to build up their savings first. After they get settled they can barely make ends meet. When opportunity suddenly presents itself, they start on a downward spiral of crime.

6.0

Buried Loot

Jan 19, 1935

An embezzler who expects to serve his time in prison and then pick up his buried loot is in for a surprise.

6.0

Alibi Racket

Sep 14, 1935

How police interrogation cracks the "airtight" alibi of a criminal.

7.0

Women in Hiding

Jun 22, 1940

In this Crime Does Not Pay series short, a young woman wants to save her baby, but is afraid of telling her parents and has no money to pay the hospital costs involved. She falls prey to a baby-for-sale racket with quack doctors performing their services.

5.8

You, the People

Nov 30, 1940

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.

6.1

The Luckiest Guy in the World

Jan 25, 1947

In this MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short, a man destroys his life through gambling debts and stealing company funds.