Give Till It Hurts

Of all the episodes of the "Crime Does Not Pay" series from MGM, "Give Till It Hurts" is among the most memorable simply because the folks in this one are unusually evil. And, sadly, such scams STILL are a problem today--though they usually aren't THIS audacious.

The film begins at a charity clinic. The doctor in charge is desperate for money, as cases of infantile paralysis (polio) are on the increase and appropriate equipment like iron lungs are expensive. At this same time, some benefactors(?) arrive. The Gaffneys promise to raise thousands for the clinic. Well, they do raise TONS of money (using rented babies and handicapped shills)--the problem is that they have no plans to give any of the money away! These folks have no shame--though it gets worse! Fortunately, the police learn about this and set out to stop them. Interestingly, the policewoman who works on the case is played by Mary Blake (also known by the stage name 'Blossom Rock')--the lady who played Grandmama on "The Addams Family" television show.

This is a very exciting and well-made episode. I am very surprised that its current rating is relatively low, as its production values are great, the story very involving and the film passes on excellent warnings to the public concerning their donations.

That can't be true, can it? No, no, there are some swindles that sound very good, like the fake charity fund raiser in this episode of MGM's crime series, but we know that CRIME DOESN'T PAY!

Although Felix Feist's direction is competent as always, and the stakes are high -- not just more than a hundred thousand 1937 dollars, but a child's life -- there's a lack of tension in this short. Perhaps it's the fact that the swindle takes place in slow motion, a month or more. Perhaps it's because we know from the title of the series, and the fact that the Production Code is in full swing that the bad guys won't get away with it.

Janet Beecher gives a nice, two-toned performance as the con woman pretending to be a kind society lady.

MGM presents A Crime Does Not Pay Subject. Dr. Douglas' clinic is desperate for more funds. They need an iron lung for a young patient. Married couple, Cathy Gaffney and Spencer Gaffney, comes in and offers to fund raise with his authorization. It turns out that they are con artists. The clinic orders a iron lung but the money never comes.

I'm guessing that boiler rooms have existed from early telephone era although this may be the earliest mention of the term that I've seen. It is a fine episode. The scam is not the most sophisticated and the doctor is too trusting. Times were more innocent back then.