Accidents Will Happen

Accidents Will Happen

Year: 1938

Runtime: 62 mins

Language: English

Director: William Clemens

DramaCrime

THE FAKE ACCIDENT RACKET EXPOSED! A married insurance claims adjuster investigates a gang of accident-fraud racketeers, but they retaliate by targeting his wife.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Accidents Will Happen (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Accidents Will Happen (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set in the 1930s, a period marked by economic upheaval and the rise of modern consumer credit. The era's lax oversight and opportunistic spirit frame the criminals' insurance schemes, driving tension between ambition and legality. Courtroom confrontations mirror the period's formal legal procedures.

Location

Insurance offices, Courtroom, City streets

The film unfolds in an urban commercial environment centered on an insurance firm and a courtroom drama. Key locations include the insurer's offices and the courtroom where the fraud case unfolds. The city backdrop underscores the scheming atmosphere and the clash between greed and justice.

🏙️ Urban setting 🔎 Investigation 💼 Insurance industry

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:22

Main Characters – Accidents Will Happen (1938)

Meet the key characters of Accidents Will Happen (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eric Gregg

Insurance investigator who starts as a loyal employee but is drawn into the criminals' circle after a dismissal. He becomes adept at undercover manipulation, balancing risk and integrity. In the end, he reveals the fraud and is reinstated with a raise, signaling a moral turnaround within a harsh industry.

🕵️ Detective 💰 Greed and ambition ⚖️ Justice

Nona Gregg

Eric's wife whose avarice fuels the scheme; she collaborates with Thurston and pursues marriage as a means to greater wealth. She uses charm and deceit to advance the con and keep the ring's plans alive. Her arrest in court marks a critical turn in the case.

💍 Marriage ambitions 💼 Wealth and corruption 🚨 Deception

Patricia Carmody

A cigarette girl who joins the fraud ring and plays a pivotal role in the staged injury scam. She later confesses to being part of the conspiracy on the stand, joining Eric in exposing the operation. Her actions illustrate how manipulated victimhood can be leveraged for profit.

🕵️‍♀️ Conspirator 🎭 Deception ⚖️ Courtroom drama

Blair Thurston

Boss of the loan company who partners with the criminals and helps orchestrate larger scams. His role embodies the corruption and scale of the ring, demonstrating how leadership can corrupt business deals. His ties to Nona help propel the plot toward its courtroom confrontation.

💼 Boss 💰 Corruption 🤝 Criminal alliance

F.R. Dawson

Eric's rival who exposes the fraud, triggering a power struggle within the underwriting world. Although initially antagonistic, he ultimately apologizes and rehires Eric with a raise, illustrating a complicated arc of accountability and professional reconciliation.

🏁 Rivalry ⚖️ Accountability 💼 Insurance industry

Jim Faber

A member of the criminal ring who interacts with the investigators, participating in schemes and adding tension to the operation. His involvement underscores the pervasiveness of the fraud network.

🤝 Partner in crime 💰 Money & deception 🕵️‍♂️ Organized crime

Dr. Faris

A physician connected to the case, whose role in the fraud or its investigation underscores the medical cover stories often used to simulate injuries. He contributes to the courtroom intrigue and demonstrates how expertise can be co-opted by criminals.

⚕️ Medical 🕵️‍♂️ Involvement in fraud 🏛️ Courtroom

Ruthie

A minor background character who appears in scenes related to the case, offering a glimpse into the world surrounding the main players.

👥 Supporting character 🗂️ Minor role 📎 Uncredited

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:22

Major Themes – Accidents Will Happen (1938)

Explore the central themes of Accidents Will Happen (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💼 Fraud

The narrative centers on a ring of insurance fraud, showing how greed can drive carefully planned schemes. Characters move between offices, social circles, and the courtroom as they chase money and power. The film reveals the methods used to stage claims and manipulate outcomes, while hinting at the consequences of deceit.

⚖️ Justice

Justice is pursued through undercover actions and courtroom exposure, highlighting the tension between criminals and investigators. Eric Gregg's reformist arc culminates in testifying to uncover the truth, with the state stepping in to prosecute the conspirators. The resolution restores professional standing for the protagonist and punishes the guilty.

💍 Marriage & Ambition

Nona's marriage plans and Thurston's greed illustrate how personal ambition intersects with financial crime. The plot threads show the corrosive effect of money on relationships, forcing characters to choose between loyalty and gain. The courtroom scene crystallizes these tensions as private motives collide with public accountability.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:22

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Accidents Will Happen Summary

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Accidents Will Happen Summary

Accidents Will Happen Timeline

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Accidents Will Happen Timeline

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