The Public Pays

Oct 10, 1936

0h 19m

★ 7.1

Startling expose of modern racketeering!

Overview

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.

Genres

Crime

Drama

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The Public Pays Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Drunken Hood Who Knocks Over Milk Wagon (uncredited)

Richard Alexander

Markovitz's Secretary (uncredited)

Barbara Bedford

Grocer (uncredited)

Harry C. Bradley

Officer Jerry (uncredited)

Russ Clark

Paige's Secretary (uncredited)

Betty Ross Clarke

Milk Company Executive Moore (uncredited)

John Dilson

Woman from the Relief Bureau (uncredited)

Bess Flowers

Milk Company Executive Markovitz (uncredited)

Karl Hackett

Officer Donovan (uncredited)

Robert Homans

Italian Milk Dealer Simonelli (uncredited)

George Humbert

Police Chief John Carney (uncredited)

Cy Kendall

Racketeer (uncredited)

Bert LeBaron

Episode 24 of the Crime Does Not Pay series. Margie Smith (Laraine Day) works as a waitress at a drive in restaurant. She likes to date and look nice but on her salary, she can't keep up with everyone else. However, a friend shows her that stealing is easy, cool and lets you dress like success. At first, it works out just fine, but remember--this is a Crime Does Not Pay film and you KNOW she'll soon get caught and prosecuted.

7.0

Pound Foolish

Jan 27, 1940

An expose of attempts by wealthy people to avoid payment of customs duties. Part of the MGM "Crime Does Not Pay" series.

6.0

Buyer Beware

Aug 17, 1940

This entry in MGM's "Crime Does Not Pay" series deals with shady companies selling fake merchandise.

6.0

State Police

Mar 18, 1938

The state police try to break up racketeering in a coal mining town.

7.0

Keep 'Em Sailing

Nov 28, 1942

An FBI agent goes undercover to investigate the sabotage of American cargo ships.

6.8

Hit Man

May 16, 2024

A mild-mannered professor moonlighting as a fake hit man in police stings ignites a chain reaction of trouble when he falls for a potential client.

5.6

To Take A Wife

Jun 1, 2004

The story takes place in Haifa, Israel, in 1979, during three days before the Shabbat. A young woman trying to raise three children, work from home, and observe the strict Moroccan traditions of her family finds herself at constant odds with her husband and her brothers, who want her to stay married and leave behind the notions of being loved and free.

7.2

Susi Susanti: Love All

Oct 24, 2019

Susi Susanti rises to become Indonesia’s beloved athlete. In time of turmoil, she showed her country & the world that heroism is measured by one’s sacrifice.

5.5

Phantoms, Inc.

Jun 9, 1945

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.

5.0

The Law in Her Hands

May 16, 1936

A female lawyer sets up her own practice but only achieves success as an attorney for the mob.

6.5

'G' Men

May 4, 1935

James “Brick” Davis, a struggling attorney, owes his education to a mobster, but always has refused to get involved with the underworld. When a friend of his is gunned down by a notorious criminal, Brick decides to abandon the exercise of the law and join the Department of Justice to capture the murderer.

6.6

Bullets or Ballots

Jun 6, 1936

After Police Captain Dan McLaren becomes police commissioner, former detective Johnny Blake publicly punches him, convincing rackets boss Al Kruger that Blake is sincere in his effort to join the mob. "Bugs" Fenner, meanwhile, is certain that Blake is a police agent.

6.2

The Bribe

Feb 3, 1949

United States Federal agent Rigby travels to the Central American island Carlotta to investigate a stolen aircraft engines smuggling racket.

6.0

Patrolling the Ether

Apr 10, 1944

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.

5.0

Easy Life

May 20, 1944

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.

5.5

The Last Installment

May 5, 1945

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.