The Last Alarm (1940) CRIME THRILLER

Stars: J. Farrell MacDonald, Polly Ann Young, Warren Hull
Director: William West
Production Company: Sherwill Productions, Inc.
A veteran firefighter is forced to retire at age 65 by the Fire Department. However, when one of his friends dies in a blaze set by a serial arsonist, the now-retired fireman teams up with his daughter and her fiancé, who is an investigator for an insurance company, to hunt down and capture the arsonist.

[@nomadpi1]

A reminisce for me. I'm a WWII baby and these old movies show me the clothes, the hair, the cars, and best of all, the set's accoutrements. My childhood's memories. I enjoy these old movies more than I can explain. Dialogue short and informative; to the point; no distractions, no cursing, no gratuitous camera scenes or hammy actors. This was simple entertainment. That's the best description a movie buff can give.

[@markallen5764]

WELL SAID AND I TOTALLY AGREE...LOVELY TO HEAR PROPER VOCABULARY WITH NO SWEARING...I DONT LIKE THE MOVIES NOW THEY ARE TERRIBLE THESE ARE TOTALLY MY LOVE ❤AND ABSOLUTELY A HONOUR TO WATCH BECKY 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 XXXXXXXXX ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@msheart2]

I have great admiration for Firemen so I really enjoyed this movie. I liked subtle humour, carrying the jars to the basement and I liked most of characters, especially Mr. Hadley, the lead. Thank you for sharing.

[@memoryamethyst4581]

I find these old movies relaxing. Slower paced, simple dialogue, lovely costumes and sets. Thanks for posting this.

[@lindareynolds659]

I get so much peace just like you xxx

[@shaun5944]

Well said 👍

[@coachdlr1]

Yes i relax and watch these at bedtime

[@yolamontalvan9502]

There is no n-word, c-word, s-word, f-word and m-word.

[@lilwobblywade6324]

Love the soundtracks.

[@Mark-g4z2s]

These are really great matinee films. So interesting. Great stuff. Love it. Thanks

[@grip2617]

I love the role models of those days. Very well organized and efficient.

[@ddab918]

Thank you for sharing one of our old great movies. I prefer black and white films to the color ones. It seems they focus on the story line more than the sensational visual effects. This is a gem!

[@MichaelGunner123]

SAME here. Much prefer B&W films over color! They're my FAV!

[@miapdx503]

The old movies are classic! I can't get into the new films. They're just remakes of the good ones. 😏

[@anitamorrison5426]

There actors male female were very subber and they did need music to set the mood.

[@bartroberts3634]

These old movies have heart and soul! Thanks for the gem!

[@petermarch3144]

Loved the vintage kitchen appliances!

[@MB-cx2ks]

Thank you for uploading. Incredible fire sequences! Good movie. First time I’ve seen Loretta Young’s sister. The resemblance is remarkable.

[@suzieqwonder3089]

My family owned an LP & Natural gas company for over 50 years ~ it’s been sold by now, but we were sure grateful for never having a disaster! I’m glad we didn’t have any pyro sickies! It was scary enough staying on top of all the safety issues! This film gives me the willies!

[@Pamela.B]

Yes. The fire scenes are frightful!

[@deniseedodson1938]

You have a great legacy.

[@dianevitale1214]

Ty Pizza. Though this was not a big crime "thriller", it was very much enjoyed. Mr. Hadley was a darlin' played excellently. Mrs. Hadley, believe I've seen in many "Ma" roles. Always like seeing the old cars and the rest.

[@Firebrand55]

Actully, very good.....ok, uneven but held the attention. It had a clear message; don't retire from something; retire to something.

[@joelee662]

This was a good laid out movie good thing it was just a movie I know how it feels to be retired thank you for the movie look forward to seeing more 👍🇺🇸

[@Alan-rh1el]

Not something i would normally watch but in saying that i found this very enjoyable. The villain came across as really creepy and was played to perfection, thanks for posting.

[@victorireland8913]

Top class! Unpretentious and sincere acting. Apart from the obvious one, people you would be glad to call your friends. J.Farrell MacDonald was some actor!

[@MichaelGunner123]

B & W Films are just The Bomb! I LUV them!

[@davidtong2776]

I take these old movies anytime.

[@MichaelGunner123]

That was Mary Gordon playing Mrs Hadley; She played the role of a housekeeper in one of the early 'Thin Man' films of Nick & Nora fame. Mary Gordon is best known for playing the recurring landlady, Ms Hudson, in Shelock Holmes films starring the incomparable, Basil Rathbone & his effervescent sidekick, Dr Watson, portrayed by Nigel Bruce. They were simply the BEST.

[@INDYOSKARS]

Wasn´t she also a landlady in the Laurel and Hardy film "Bonnie Scotland" ?

[@kathiedevall5560]

Thank you. Good info.

[@magacapwearer5910]

Yep. Sr. Took jr. For a walk in the park and jr. Said something like put down the book and read the racing form . I think my two favorites are the first one and the one with Jimmy Stewart as the murderer.

[@arieswaters]

The Thin Man goes home was so great

[@gisawslonim9716]

I thought she looked familiar and I could not place her. Thanks so much for the information. Lovely actors, good film.

[@shaun5944]

Thank you PF, good old film, much appreciated 👍

[@BrittMFH]

❤️ Good movie and fantastic fire footage. Love these old movies!

[@ronaldstrange8981]

In its 85 the year, but, still watchable and most enjoyable. England, January, 2026.

[@lisaloo715]

So true. I think you meant 2025. I read your comment in February, 2025.

[@seriagungnurastarlight]

This is real life, the truth👉. I really loved old movies 😊, the actors, the unpretentious of real living at home or work. The good scripts, dialogues and attires. The facial expressions and body language expressing their words. All MARVELLOUS to watch until the end. Thank you, sir, for sharing the movie and alway searching to see more 🌹👍

[@sweetsunnydaygirl]

Thanks for sharing this, PizzaFlix! Love the old, innocent movies without all the cursing. God bless you :) 🐪🐪🍊🍊🛐🕎☦️😺

[@onlythewise1]

a time of class and charisma gone forever in hoollywood

[@CissyBrazil]

This movie is just starting but I’m getting a kick out of it so far. The fuller brush man sounds like Elmer Fudd. 😅. I watched this movie four years ago because I see I had commented on it. But I’m glad to be seeing it again. I am old too and without my hobbies, I would’ve been found no longer useful. I so get this movie.

[@heatherbowlan9822]

House wives never get to retire, not even today women of the home don't ever retire the works of the home !

[@autumnt.allgood8895]

AND NO VACATIONS EITHER.

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

You are absolutely right! And we live longer too!

[@leanderrowe2800]

Today's woman has to work to support the family and of course at home too.

[@kaydee4296]

Because it's the most important job there IS - a stabile home life & strong family is the foundation of a healthy country. We've TOTALLY been ruined by feminist crap tearing families apart, dads alienated & the horrible GOVERNMENT raising children instead!

[@nicolettaciccone8869]

@@kaydee4296 I must agree.😎👌

[@shahinbadsha8509]

I can see my mother in Ms Mary Gordon and also my maternal aunties who are in a different world now. I am happy to them all again in this nice movie full of morals we as children were taught. Wonder in today’s age where all of these morals have gone and so have the people

[@dongaetano3687]

That final speech brought a bit of moisture to the eye PF. Good old guys in that flick. Polly Ann another true beauty with a lovely screen presence.

[@margueritevanderwielen9110]

From here to tearing

[@margueritevanderwielen9110]

From here to eterinacow boy film

[@dongaetano3687]

@@margueritevanderwielen9110 Great comments MS V. Thanks, just watched it again, quite a movie.

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

Something like reading those old 1950s detective magazines. Great stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@maryannsilva4160]

The mother looks exactly like my grandmother. Right now from the bun in her hair to the clunky shoes. As an aside, they were part of my WAF uniform in 1959. Great to watch this with the old cars, filming style, etc.

[@wvcricker5683]

Good little movie! Relaxing and easy to follow.. I love the nuance of 40s films..

[@darlabible1325]

That was a really good picture. Even though it’s old, so am I, 60, that was a creepy villain. When he cut the phone line and walked in the back door I was frightened. Didn’t know where the bomb was either. I thought it was at his shop and that detective was going to die in the blast. Great suspense. Thanks for the flick.

[@MichaelGunner123]

60 is NOT OLD!

[@INDYOSKARS]

@@MichaelGunner123 Right, Noah got to be 900 years old, I forget how old Methuselah got to be. Wikipedia: "His was the longest human lifespans of all those given in the Bible, 969 years."

[@Wig4]

@@MichaelGunner123 In 1940, 60 was old. Now, I'm a 64 year young man and do 12 running contests every year... lol

[@101Volts]

@@INDYOSKARS I once read that the name "Noah" means "Comfort" or "Comforter." Hebrew certainly has some interesting definitions behind all of these names...

[@sweetsunnydaygirl]

I agree ....60 is now like 50 or even 45. My Aunt just passed at 100....my uncle at 99, great grandfather at 100, my Grandpa at 99. That's 39 to 40 years out!! 🤗🤗🛐🛐 So yeah .... 60 is definitely young nowadays. You can have lots of energy and feel great. My mom and dad are both around 80 and they're both still dynamos. They go more than I do! And I'm 54!! 😅🛐 So yeah... You really are as young as you feel. I personally think 90 and above is actually starting to get older. God bless you 🛐🕎☦️

[@reneeblair7593]

Thanks for this movie, it was really good. Everyone played their character just right.

[@MariaLacsamana-ik3in]

I just love fhese oldies but goldies I wish life had just remained traditional n simple as they were keep it coming love it really!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@blodwyndavies6395]

Very Good story and some nice acting. Thanks for uploading.

[@Menschenfreund535]

Excellent film! Very interesting on multiple levels. Thank you Pizza Flix!

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

Nice movie! Thanks for sharing these wonderful gems!

[@blancatirado576]

Great movie. Thanks for posting

[@sandragailgoudelock1531]

Great film!!!! Had my interest from beginning to end. The pyromaniac was extremely creepy. When he came thru the kitchen door I nearly fainted.

[@autumnt.allgood8895]

NO ONE CAUGHT HIM AT FIRE GRINNING HIS BEHIND. FEELING ON HIMSELF. HE WAS GIVING HIMSELF THE BIG I'd BY WATCHING THE FIRES. THE CREEP GOT HIS REWARD BY FLAMES. HE SCREAMED LIKE A GIRL.

[@autumnt.allgood8895]

THE FIRE BUG WAS GIVING HIMSELF THE BIG O's.

[@101Volts]

@@autumnt.allgood8895 Bit of a pile of trouble he gave himself, though. Not a huge one in the start, but a small fire grows tall quickly. I'm vaguely reminded of Ezekiel 23:20, seeing as you're mentioning "the big Os" here. ... And, uh, no - I'm **not** recommending what's mentioned in that verse.

[@kathyjohnsen165]

It's Elmer Fudd's voice in the Brush salesman.

[@eckankar7756]

I thought it might end with a scene of the statue. Good move, love those old cars.

[@StevenTorrey]

A great movie!

[@charlesfoster141]

Great old fire vehicles in action. Very nice!!

[@quokka0.0nraven]

A wonderful meat and potatoes filling movie, perfect mixture of dialogue, mystery, action and of course, heartbreak. Thanks for this upload!!

[@wilde4445]

Thank you, PF.

[@austenj4539]

I notice the same actress who played Mrs Hudson to Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes. Here, she plays the wife of the retired fire chief.

[@lisaloo715]

I was thinking the actress playing the daughter, Joan, looked so much like actress, Loretta Young. I thought they could be sisters. Then I found out they were sisters! Polly Ann Young! Thanks for a great movie, PizzaFlix!

[@sawfingers1750]

I love these old films. $10 in 1940 is about $190 today. Frank must really love Joan

[@dubliners0999]

They used some really good fire footage in this film.

[@gregjackson6612]

Indeed. The real explosion caught at kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYXNkmugnbxqm9E was something else.

[@lyndatuttle]

According to Wikipedia, much of the film of the fires are from real fires.

[@leilal8053]

I don't understand these people who don't have a hobby or interests other than WORK. 🙄

[@robertwalker5521]

He SHOULD be doing 75% of the house work.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Polly Ann looks and sounds so much like her sister, Loretta.

[@songbirdy]

I didn't know that was her sister. I just kept watching her while thinking wow she looks just like Loretta Young!

[@robertwalker5521]

Especially the smile.

[@MelanieMaguire]

I'd love to have a go on one of those poles. It looks like great fun.

[@dzyanist]

EXCELLENT movie.., ( ..although there seems to have been some..uhh., "editing".?, there towards the end..!! ). J.Farrell MacDonald.., ALWAYS one o' my faves..!!!

[@Rehbock137]

This is a lovely piece. Thank you

[@nameskhar1510]

First rate, * * * * *'s all around; Thanks for posting.

[@srinagardiary-lifeinkashmi5731]

VERY NICE AND ENGROSSING MOVIE 💖

[@mortimerzilch2608]

Loretta Young's sister...looks a lot like Loretta too.

[@venkatreddy392]

Thoroughly good movie enjoyed.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Thanks for watching PizzaFLIX. May the Sauce be with you!

[@venkatreddy392]

@@PizzaFLIX Thank you, Pizza Flux.

[@Billys-Joint]

I love the Coen Brothers. Midas touch.

[@londonloving1582]

My generation will never know how to enjoy great movie black and white !!!

[@SOffenbach]

I remember retiring after 30 years. It was a sad day.

[@lindaweber5599]

Back then in the movies people who were in their late twenties had parents in their seventies. The times, perceptions, true....? Old people looked older then?

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

What a good little movie !

[@shelleymcafee8197]

A great movie; I loved ‘Jim Hadley’s character, and those of the entire Cast! Well-written, cast, directed and filmed,… this is a gem!! I’m sure that the general-idea has inspired many stories, but many elements in this one reminded Me of ‘Backflash’; though (thankfully) the endings were quite different. …Still, beginning in much the same place - I can easily see how a modern Writer could have watched this and decided to twist its telling in the opposite direction. I’m sure that many modern films were at least roughly inspired by past-stories, as has happened throughout History; minus some nips-and-tucks - here and there. …A good-story is always savoured, and enjoyed! Thank-You so much for uploading past ‘Greats’!!!

[@georgepierce4537]

Good show, enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@epc57]

retiring from most government jobs must be awful - no one to play cards with or shoot the sh_t.

[@ervanwagner7918]

It's Mrs. Hudson from the old Sherlock Holmes films.

[@barrycowen627]

She hasn’t changed a bit, even the Irish accent. I wonder if she was ever young?

[@ervanwagner7918]

@@barrycowen627 Thanks for the reply to my comment from some years ago,

[@williamwhizz6496]

Good film , well worth watching.

[@Billys-Joint]

Love the firebug dude.

[@andydaddy2009]

exciting...good to watch.. with "just desserts"

[@martynashwood881]

Blimey the guy selling brushes sounded like Elmer Fudd, (Bugs Bunny fame).

[@Colodreamer2731]

Nice movie....

[@unboundforevermore7649]

I love it although we still have those same sickos still today. Thank you

[@michaeldanello3966]

This is the 54 minute Canadian print. The full running time is a bit over 61 minutes and available on KZbin posted by Classic Films

[@miltonthomaslowe]

The salesman sounded like Elmer Fudd

[@MichaelGunner123]

Was Mel Blanc!

[@DuchessBirdie]

I love the Irish lady that plays the wife. She's in so many movies, and her putting mith balls in the pockets of his now retired suit haha subtleties skipped today. It all has to be in your face obvious. Thanks for posting it🌃

[@DuchessBirdie]

Sorry Scottish actress..Mary Gordon🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tessaducek5601]

I remember the smell from those as a kid. My grandma used. and every time one opened a closet. There it was.... 😉

[@fjdor2052]

thank you

[@swissotto1]

Excellent movie! Thank you for sharing.

[@ludditeneaderthal]

00:07:40 cameo by mel blanc as the brush salesman

[@wowzieee]

Itwas him, I thought so.

[@MichaelGunner123]

Really? I was wondering.

[@dianneimarisio7022]

I thought he sounded a bit like bugs bunny/elmer fudd.

[@gmanette188]

Thought so

[@charlesfoster141]

Mel Blanc

[@rosalindayoung7269]

He needs some grandbabies to keep him company

[@lindanolan9542]

Uh oh-the guy said “Wait for me I’ll be right back”. I guess we won’t see him again.☹️

[@stevenlester2606]

That old guy was great at pantomime.

[@andrewbillingsley9377]

At 7'45. I believe that brush salesman is Mel Blanc. The voice of numerous cartoon characters. Bugs bunny, Elmer Fudd. Daffy Duck etc. ...

[@wvcricker5683]

I was wondering the exact same thing!

[@Catquick1957]

The fire scenes were incredible for a time period without the FX that are common place today.

[@captainjack8823]

Cool old movie, thanks!

[@myrnagroger132]

Slow start, but got better with TIME.(LS)

[@kelvinmeakin8286]

Very good film

[@ItsMefromSnuffys]

Thankyou

[@rhondae8222]

Nice movie. Thanks!

[@sandyfreyman3501]

Excellent!

[@jimstokes6742]

Great storyline!

[@NoosaHeads]

8 minutes. The brush salesman - sounds just like Elmer Fudd.

[@venittavandermerwe3064]

Very nice movie. I enjoyed it.

[@WitchidWitchid]

The arsonist in this movie looks like Rudy Guiliani when he was mayor of NYC.

[@gohar617ify]

Brilliant movie 🎥 👌

[@elizabethbrown3447]

❤❤❤❤from England

[@ladywisewolf3942]

Good little movie and some of the fire footage was harrowing. I've always liked Macdonald's sensitive acting, he appeared in many movies of the 30's and 40's, usually playing a police detective. And what a rare treat to see one of Loretta Young's lovely sisters Polly Ann Young as the leading lady. There were four Young sisters, all actresses; Polly, Sally ( who went by Sally Blaine) Loretta and Georgianna, there was also a brother John. The only time all four sisters appeared in a film together was for "Alexander Graham Bell" ( 1939) starring Don Ameche.

[@arieswaters]

Still watching this in June 1911

[@arieswaters]

I kill me

[@101Volts]

@@arieswaters "I kill me?" But that's not profitable for you.

[@cpvn889]

Nice movie .. Glad it's short too .... Enjoyed it ..

[@markward6076]

That sailsman sounded an awful lot like Elmer Fudd from the old looney toon cartoons from back in the olden days.