Crime Does Not Pay 61, 1947

Lev Gleason's Crime Does Not Pay had some great covers, but artist Charles Biro's work don't have the immediate visual impact of a cover like, say, Crime SuspenStories 22. Biro's covers usually have a lot of word balloons cluttering up the cover, but the overwrought dialogue does help set the scene. And this particular scene is certainly disturbing! Ruthless home invaders terrorize the family - check out the little kid holding onto his mother while she clutches her face in fear. And those fugitives really have some nerve! Here's the dialogue:

Old guy: Go ahead Clay! You don't scare me! If you think pushing me around is going to change my feelings... UGH!!

Convict #1: This is only a taste of what you'll get if you try to cross us! We've got to stay off the roads for a week, an' you're gonna see that we're comfortable!

Old lady: Go away! Go away! We don't want you!

Convict #2: You're gonna treat us like visitin' royalty - fer instance this steak... I like it rubbed with garlic an' medium rare!

And to think that such a scene would occur in front of the framed motto "Home, Sweet Home"!