You are here:

Think First

Name: Think First
Director: Roy Rowland
Released: 1939
Duration: 21 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1939

Approved

Director

Roy Rowland

Runtime

21 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Think First is a classic morality play from the Crime Does Not Pay series. It primarily functions to reinforce social hierarchies and legal consequences rather than to explore diverse human experiences. The narrative structure is designed to punish characters who deviate from established social norms. While the film features a female protagonist who drives the central plot, her ability to act is framed through a lens of consumerist vulnerability. This approach uses her character to warn against the dangers of social climbing through illegal means, ultimately serving a conservative social agenda. Overall, the film lacks meaningful representation of underrepresented groups. It adheres to the era's standard of homogeneous casting and focuses on upholding the existing status quo through a rigid, didactic storytelling style.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Think First have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any visible LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The story centers around the protagonist's struggle with material temptations and criminal actions.

How does Think First portray gender?

Limited

Margie Smith stands out as a rare example of female-driven ability to act in this crime drama. However, her motivations are tied to feminine concerns about social status and appearance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Think First?

Minimal

The production follows the homogeneous casting standards of 1939. There is no evidence of a diverse or multi-layered cast within the narrative.

How does Think First represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The film serves as a didactic tool for traditional morality. It emphasizes the importance of law and social order through a cautionary, instructional framework.

Does Think First include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters identified as having visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative does not address disability representation.

Present on Screen

The film features a female protagonist who drives the central plot and provides a platform for women's ability to drive the story.

Limited or Absent

The narrative reinforces traditional gender anxieties by linking female identity to consumerism and social appearance.
The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, adhering to the homogeneous casting typical of 1939.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Episode 24 of the Crime Does Not Pay series. Margie Smith (Laraine Day) works as a waitress at a drive in restaurant. She likes to date and look nice but on her salary, she can't keep up with everyone else. However, a friend shows her that stealing is easy, cool and lets you dress like success. At first, it works out just fine, but remember--this is a Crime Does Not Pay film and you KNOW she'll soon get caught and prosecuted.

How are these scores produced? →