- Country: USA
- Genres: Action, Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery, Romance
- Release: 1942-11-24
- Director: Arthur Dreifuss
- Writers: Edward Dein , Arthur Hoerl
- Language: English
- Stars: Lee Tracy , Tom Brown , Tina Thayer , Evelyn Brent , Jack La Rue , Ian Keith , Robert Middlemass , John Maxwell , John Sheehan , Harry C. Bradley
- Runtime: 74 min
- Awards: N/A
- AKA: The Pay Off , Danaro e sangue (Italy) , Suborno (Brazil) , Volcán de pasiones (Mexico) , The Pay Off (United States of America) , The Pay Off (United Kingdom)
- Plot: Special prosecutor Lloyd Pearson has been murdered and there is strong evidence that gambler Moroni committed the crime, but he has an air-tight alibi, spending the evening with Brad McKay, star reporter of the Chronicle. Norris, the publisher, send Brad and his son, Guy Norris, to cover the story. Brad learns that Moroni did commit the murder, but has no way to prove it. Moroni tells Brad that the murdered prosecutor was getting a payoff, and was killed by his assistant Hugh Walker following a quarrel. John Angus, proprietor of the Hi Lo Club, tells Moroni that Brad suspects him. Phyllis Walker tells Brad that her father is in danger from Moroni. Hugh Walker has given her a key to the public locker where some money is hidden. That night, Brad finds Moroni dead. He realizes there is a higher-up that had Moroni kill Pearson, and then has had Moroni killed. He learns that Walker has been kidnapped, but secures the money from the locker and hides it in his apartment. He meets Alma Dorne at the night club, and, while attracted to her, he suspects she is an accomplice of the gang. He surprises her while she is searching his apartment for the money, and agrees to help him. Norris summons Brad to his home for Brad to show him what evidence he has collected so far. Norris, at the point of a gun, tells Brad he has collected too much. Brad gets the upper hand by telling Norris that his son Guy is walking into a death trap. Norris rushes to save his son from the trap he himself had set for Brad.
- IMDB:tt0036255
The Pay Off Cast · · · ALL
Arthur Dreifuss
Director
Lee Tracy
Brad McKay
Tom Brown
Guy Norris
Tina Thayer
Phyllis Walker
Evelyn Brent
Alma Dorn
Jack La Rue
John Angus
Ian Keith
Inspector Thomas
Robert Middlemass
Lester Norris
John Sheehan
Sgt. Brenen
Harry C. Bradley
Dr. Steele (as Harry Bradley)
Forrest Taylor
Hugh Walker
Pat Costello
Pat - Reporter
Steve Benton
Police Officer (uncredited)
Roy Butler
Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Noble ‘Kid’ Chissell
Hood (uncredited)
Joe Gilbert
Gambling House Patron (uncredited)
Dick Gordon
Gambling House Patron (uncredited)
Jack Kenney
Gambling House Cashier (uncredited)
Carl M. Leviness
Typist (uncredited)
Tony Martelli
Croupier (uncredited)
Merrill McCormick
Detective (uncredited)
‘Snub’ Pollard
Stubby - Cab Driver (uncredited)
Arthur Thalasso
Police Officer (uncredited)
Herb Vigran
(1910–1986)
Reporter (uncredited)