Police sergeants Johnson and McManus take on Los Angeles confidence tricksters. Con man Tony Wells, lining up rich widow Jessica Royce as his latest mark, sets up a false paranormal society with other charlatans to convince the credulous Jessica that her late son is speaking to her through their sham seances. When the plan leads to murder, Johnson and McManus must bring the group down before they kill again.
Acting
Ricardo Cortez oozes velvet villainy as lead grifter.
Production
Seance sets look surprisingly lush for 67 minutes.
Director
Herbert I. Leeds
Robert Sterling
Det. Sgt. Steve Johnson
Joan Dixon
Grace Bradshaw / Bride in Film
Ricardo Cortez
Tony Weldon / Anthony Wells
Douglas Fowley
Det. Sgt. Mack McManus
Elisabeth Risdon
Jessica Royce
Marguerite Churchill
Barbara Madison
John Kellogg
Fred Reed
Bernadene Hayes
Princess Liane
Robert Bice
Drake / The Swami
Vivien Oakland
Annie Cobb
Dante
Dante the Magician
Fred Aldrich
Bunco Unit Detective at Desk (uncredited)
Gertrude Astor
Club Patron (uncredited)
Tol Avery
Police Captain Edwards (uncredited)
Rand Brooks
Robert (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ricardo Cortez, born Jacob Krantz, was Paramount's answer to Valentino before pivoting to noir heavies.
The 'bunco squad' was a real LA police unit targeting confidence rackets — this film essentially functioned as propaganda for their underfunded department.
US
