Law of the Underworld is a crime drama that tells the story of a respected citizen whose hidden past in organized crime comes back to haunt him. When he becomes entangled with criminals and faces the threat of exposure, he must confront questions of loyalty, morality, and justice. The film blends elements of suspense and melodrama, offering a glimpse into the clash between a man’s present respectability and his criminal history.
Genre: Crime Drama
Director: Lew Landers
Lew Landers (1901–1962) was an American director known for his prolific output in B-movies across multiple genres, including crime, horror, westerns, and adventure films. Born Louis Friedlander, he began his Hollywood career in the 1930s and directed over 100 films and television episodes. Though rarely given large-budget projects, Landers became a reliable studio craftsman, best remembered today for directing the classic horror film The Raven (1935), starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.
Star Cast:
- Chester Morris as Bert Hanneman
- Anne Shirley as Annabelle Allen
- Eduardo Ciannelli as Rock Delaney
- Walter Abel as District Attorney
- Richard Bond as Eddie Zanatos
- Frank Coghlan Jr. as Danny
- J. Carroll Naish as Pete
The film was received as a solid and engaging B-picture typical of RKO’s late 1930s crime dramas. Chester Morris’s performance as a man torn between his past and present was noted for its intensity, while Anne Shirley’s role added emotional depth. Although not a major studio release, it satisfied audiences looking for quick-paced crime entertainment and moral conflict. Critics acknowledged it as competent, if not groundbreaking, studio fare.
Fun Facts:
- Chester Morris, best known later for his role as Boston Blackie in the long-running Columbia Pictures series, was cast here in a more serious dramatic role.
- Anne Shirley, a former child actress and Oscar nominee, was transitioning successfully into more adult roles at the time.
- The film reflects Hollywood’s fascination in the 1930s with stories of redemption and hidden criminal pasts, themes popular with Depression-era audiences.
- Lew Landers’s reputation for efficiency allowed him to shoot films like this quickly and within budget, which was highly valued by RKO.
- Though not widely circulated today, the film is occasionally highlighted by film historians as a compact example of RKO’s B-movie craftsmanship.
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