I Demand Payment

I Demand Payment is a 1938 American drama film directed by Clifford Sanforth and starring Betty Burgess, Jack La Rue and Matty Kemp.^[1][2] It is based on Rob Eden's 1932 novel Second Choice.^[3] Sherman L. Lowe wrote the screenplay.^[4] It was produced by Poverty Row company Imperial Pictures.^[2][5]

I Demand Payment
Directed by	Clifford Sanforth
Written by	Sherman L. Lowe
Based on	Second Choice by Rob Eden
Produced by	Clifford Sanforth Henry Spitz
Starring	Betty Burgess Jack La Rue Matty Kemp
Cinematography	Robert Doran
Edited by	Douglass Biggs
Production company	Imperial Pictures
Distributed by	Imperial Distributing Corporation
Release date	November 8, 1938 (1938-11-08)
Running time	61 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

A man finds himself drawn in too deep after going to work for a loan shark, and his new wife tries to leave him after discovering his true occupation.

Cast

• Betty Burgess as Judith Avery
• Jack La Rue as Smiles Badolio
• Matty Kemp as Toby Locke
• Guinn "Big Boy" Williams as Happy Crofton
• Lloyd Hughes as Doctor Craig Mitchell
• Anthony Orlando as Louie Badolio^[6]
• Sheila Terry as Rita Avery
• Bryant Washburn as Joe Travis
• Donald Kirke as Mr. Twitchett
• Harry Holman as Justice of Peace
• Edward Keene as District Attorney
• Norma Taylor as Miss Farnsworth^[7][8]

Reception

Billboard wrote that it was "a powerful illustration that crime does not pay".^[9] Variety's review described the film as featuring "The loan-shark racket framed in an undistinguished production" and as "Imperial's contribution to the gangster cycle." It noted, "It provides an hour's entertainment for fans with time to kill who do not care how they kill it.... Bright spots in the production are Jack La Rue and Matty Kemp, standouts in unsympathetic parts, and Betty Burgess as the femme lead. La Rue's strong personality and intensity as a strong-arm guy practically dominates the entire proceedings... Story progresses in routine fashion until the melodramatic climax where Kemp is cornered in his hideout after fleeing gang vengeance... Action fans who like plenty of gun-play will get it here".^[10] The New York Daily News rated it two stars, stating in its review that "Matty Kemp tries desperately to give a fine performance in a film distinctly amateurish."^[4] The Film Daily stated that the film "rates weak with amateur script and direction" and called the photography "fair".^[11]