Tommy Carter's luck has finally run out. With creditors closing in and nowhere left to turn, he resorts to the only option he believes he has left - an insurance fiddle. His girlfriend Julia Benton soon wakes to the news that Tommy has died in a car crash. However, matters become complicated when an insurance clerk pays her a visit and begins to question whether the company should really be paying out. Julia, however, proves rather capable of adapting to the situation.

It's a below-average episode and certainly not as sharp as some of the others so far, although the central idea is an interesting one. Clearly people have been trying to outwit insurance companies for decades. One small irritation - if I hear the word "darling" one more time I may well scream. It's repeated to the point of being almost cloying. The ending, meanwhile, really has to be seen to be believed.

What follows is a mixture of melodrama, flame throwers, revolvers, and plenty of hysterics, not to mention a smouldering Ron Randell. It's rather like walking into Selfridge's and coming out with a Greggs sausage roll.

The episode certainly has the expected low-budget appeal, but visually it isn't without interest. Eunice Gayson looks terrific on screen and gives the production a bit of glamour. It has the look and feel of an American television episode, though it remains unmistakably a Danziger production.

The print itself is very grainy - it feels very much like a surviving 16mm recording, with that slightly hazy look that often comes with them. Still, I'm just glad the episode survives in full.

5/10.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

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The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Tommy Carter and girlfriend Julia Benton consider themselves part of the jet set. Money, however, is in short supply. Julia suggests Tommy fake his death in a car crash. When Julia gets the insurance Tommy finds himself out in the cold.

Eunice Gayson in Death Pays No Dividends (1954)

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Ron Randell in Death Pays No Dividends (1954)

Eunice Gayson and Peter Reynolds in Death Pays No Dividends (1954)

Peter Reynolds in Death Pays No Dividends (1954)

Death Pays No Dividends

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