Held for Ransom (1938)

The kidnappers of Herbert Scott have been paid the demanded ransom but have not returned Scott. The police chief suspects Larry Scott, the spendthrift nephew, but an opposing view is held ... See full summary »

Director:

Clarence Bricker

Writer:

Barry Barringer (original story and screenplay)

Stars:

Blanche Mehaffey, Grant Withers, Bruce Warren

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Blanche Mehaffey	...	Betty Mason
Grant Withers	...	Larry Scott
Bruce Warren	...	Don - Larry's Pal
Jack Mulhall	...	Det. J.J. Morrison
Kenneth Harlan	...	Boss McBride
Harry Harvey	...	Mole, Henchman
Eddie Foster	...	Joe - Kidnapper (as Edward Foster)
Walter McGrail	...	Det. Donnelly
Moore Marriott	...	Sam Hathaway (as George Moore)
Richard Lancaster	...	Herbert Scott
John McCollum	...	Dad KImball
Joseph W. Girard	...	Police Chief Howell (as Joseph Girard)
Robert McKenzie	...	Jed - Storekeeper
Leo Daugherty	...	Constable Lemuel
Spec O'Donnell	...	Bill Brooks - Delivery Boy (as Speck O'Donnell)

Storyline

The kidnappers of Herbert Scott have been paid the demanded ransom but have not returned Scott. The police chief suspects Larry Scott, the spendthrift nephew, but an opposing view is held by Morrison, federal operator in charge of the case. He assigns Betty Mason, his best woman operative, to the case.

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Plot Keywords:

police chief | police | kidnapper | ransom | water mill | 

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Taglines:

MEET MISS FEDERAL AGENT! She starts where all others fall! (original poster)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 June 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fuoco al mulino

Filming Locations:

Cedar Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Film Corporation (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Tough Female Cop Rounds Up The Kidnappers

Grant Withers Dad is HELD FOR RANSOM, and continues to be held even though the playboy son has paid up. Is Junior in on the job, or is he merely a red herring to be married off to the cute G-Girl heroine in the last reel?

This B-minus movie is an unexpected pleasure, not just because of the 1930s location scenery of a rather handsome tourist town, but because it moves quickly and does not entirely telegraph who is a good guy and who is a bad guy from moment one. Also, harking back to the days of Pearl White, the movie features an athletic woman lead who breaks the case without too much help from the guys. The ending is a little bit of a letdown, as our heroine is pushed aside at the very end, and then is forced to participate in a somewhat random montage of stock footage. But, with this small exception, this is worth seeing for those who like old B flicks.