Fake psychics, real scams, and a 70-minute lesson in why you shouldn't trust anyone who owns too many scarves.
Fake fortunetellers win the confidence of clients and then get them to part with their money by buying mining stocks which are worthless.
Acting
Clara Blandick's dotty-criminal matriarch steals every scene she's in.
Production
Gloriously cheap sets that wobble when doors slam.
Director
Leslie Goodwins
Allan Lane
Joe Ryan
Clara Blandick
Phoebe Sawyer
Inez Courtney
Kitty
Ben Welden
Nate
Bradley Page
Lionel Whitmore
Frances Mercer
Judy Allen
Walter Miller
Jenner
Frank M. Thomas
Thomas Redwine
Vinton Hayworth
Moe Buzzell
Morgan Conway
Ray Taylor
George Irving
Clifton
Leona Roberts
Mrs. Wharton
Charles Trowbridge
L. Marvin
Dorothy Adams
Second Fortune Teller
Byron Foulger
George Myles
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Clara Blandick filmed this between Oz appearances—Aunt Em by day, crime matriarch by night. Hollywood hustle culture, 1938 edition.
This was Monogram Pictures' bread and butter: crank out 60+ films yearly, quality optional, profit mandatory. The true American scam was the studio system itself.
US
