Arson, Inc. (1949)

An arson investigator goes undercover to break up a ring that sets fires in order to collect the insurance.

Director:

William Berke

Writers:

Arthur Caesar (original story), Maurice Tombragel (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Lowery, Anne Gwynne, Edward Brophy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Lowery	...	Joe Martin
Anne Gwynne	...	Jane Jennings
Edward Brophy	...	Pete Purdy
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Betty - Fender's Secretary
Douglas Fowley	...	Frederick P. 'Fred' Fender
Maude Eburne	...	Grandma
William Forrest	...	Deputy Fire Chief / Narrator
Steve Pendleton	...	Murph (as Gaylord Pendleton)
Byron Foulger	...	Thomas Peyson
Matt McHugh	...	Hubbell
Lelah Tyler	...	Mrs. Peyson
Emmett Vogan	...	Al, Night Watchman
John Maxwell	...	Detective
Richard David	...	Junior Peyson

Storyline

Fireman Joe Martin comes to suspect that fires occurring in the warehouse and home of a furrier may have been deliberately set in order to cover thefts. He goes undercover, pretending to have been discharged from the fire department and appearing to ally himself with crooked insurance man Fred Fender, whom Joe suspects of being behind the arson ring. But Joe and his girlfriend Jane Jennings find themselves in over their heads.

---

Plot Keywords:

insurance | arson | investigator | fireman | archive footage | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Brandstifter von Los Angeles

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lippert Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There is a scene where Robert Lowery walks past a movie theater that displays posters for I Shot Jesse James and Highway 13; "Highway 13" also starred Lowery and was directed by William Berke, who directed this film.

---

Connections

References Highway 13 (1948)

User Reviews

it would have to be a very rainy Sunday afternoon

Very well shot with a good mix of angles, this is also pretty fast paced, but whilst it's interesting to see the fire services in action, this doesn't really go anywhere. The film is book-ended with very poorly delivered fire chief statements about how every has to do their best etc and whilst the main body of the film is better, the acting seems rather lacklustre. Robert Lowery just seems to coast along but Edward Brophy puts in a spirited characterful performance alongside him. Even Anne Gwynne outshines the lead even if she seems not to notice any of the danger or worry at all about what's going down. Maybe it's because she's had more terrifying jobs, like working with Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. Not a total waste of time but it would have to be a very rainy Sunday afternoon.