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Shoplifting as a life hack? This 1939 PSA says 'nice try, criminal.'
TMDB
70

Think First (1939)

preachy noirmoral panicvintage crime bait

Overview

Crime

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.

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Content warning

Standout Aspects

Costume

Margie's stolen wardrobe is genuinely fabulous for 1939.

Production

MGM gloss on a shoestring budget—surprisingly slick.

Best for:Background: Perfect 21-minute time capsule while folding laundry.·Solo: Weirdly comforting propaganda for loners who love moral endings.
Roy Rowland

Director

Roy Rowland

ReleasedSep 8, 1939
Runtime21m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feellight

Top Cast

Marc Lawrence

Marc Lawrence

Joe

Laraine Day

Laraine Day

Marjorie (Margie) Smith

Jo Ann Sayers

Jo Ann Sayers

Ruth Nolan

Ann Morriss

Ann Morriss

Susy Martin

Sara Haden

Sara Haden

Policewoman

Truman Bradley

Truman Bradley

Crime Lab Technician

Ask about Think First

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

The Crime Does Not Pay series ran 1935-1947 and was MGM's sneaky way to profit from crime pictures while appeasing censors.

Trivia

Laraine Day became a major star; this was her second-to-last B-picture before Dr. Kildare made her famous.

Reviews

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