Strange Bargain
“"$10,000 If You Make My Suicide Look Like MURDER!"”
Synopsis
Bookkeeper Sam Wilson learns from his boss, Malcolm Jarvis, that he is losing his job because the company is closing down. Jarvis then makes a strange proposition, saying he intends to commit suicide but wants Sam to make it look like a murder, in order for his wife and son to inherit Jarvis's life insurance. Sam declines, but when he goes to see Jarvis and finds his dead body, he reluctantly goes along with the scheme.
Top Cast
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Martha Scott
Georgia Wilson
Jeffrey Lynn
Sam Wilson
Harry Morgan
Richard Webb
Katherine Emery
Edna Jarvis
Richard Gaines
Malcolm Jarvis
Henry O'Neill
Timothy Hearne
Walter Sande
Sergeant Cord
Michael Chapin
Roddy Wilson
Arlene Gray
Hilda Wilson
Raymond Roe
Sydney Jarvis
Robert Bray
Detective McTay
Dan Foster
Tip (uncredited)
Joel Friedkin
Canon (uncredited)
John Hamilton
Employee at Meeting (uncredited)
James Nolan
Policeman (uncredited)
Theodore Rand
Cocktail Waiter (uncredited)
Betty Underwood
Miss Vantay (uncredited)
Nancy Valentine
Lucille Gosler (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
November 5, 1949
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Will Price
- Screenplay & Story
- Lillie Hayward
- Original Score
- Friedrich Hollaender
- Original Title
- Strange Bargain
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 8m
- Production Studios
- RKO Radio Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Will Price
Lillie Hayward, J.H. Wallis
Friedrich Hollaender
Harry J. Wild
Frederic Knudtson
Sid Rogell
Department Leadership Roster
Will Price
Director
Sid Rogell
Producer
Friedrich Hollaender
Original Music Composer
Harry J. Wild
Director of Photography
Frederic Knudtson
Editor
Lillie Hayward
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Strange Bargain.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Strange Bargain.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Strange Bargain
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Strange Bargain about?
Bookkeeper Sam Wilson learns from his boss, Malcolm Jarvis, that he is losing his job because the company is closing down. Jarvis then makes a strange proposition, saying he intends to commit suicide but wants Sam to make it look like a murder, in order for his wife and son to inherit Jarvis's life insurance. Sam declines, but when he goes to see Jarvis and finds his dead body, he reluctantly goes along with the scheme.
Who directed Strange Bargain?
Strange Bargain was directed by Will Price.
Who stars in Strange Bargain?
The principal cast of Strange Bargain includes Martha Scott, Jeffrey Lynn, Harry Morgan, Katherine Emery, Richard Gaines.
When was Strange Bargain released and how long is it?
Strange Bargain was released in 1949 with a total runtime of 1h 8m.
Who composed the musical score for Strange Bargain?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Strange Bargain was composed by Friedrich Hollaender.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Strange Bargain?
Strange Bargain holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).