King of the Underworld (1952 film)

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King of the Underworld
Frame from the film
Directed byVictor M. Gover
Written byJohn Gilling
Produced byGilbert Church
StarringTod Slaughter
Patrick Barr
Tucker McGuire
Edited byHelen Wiggins
Music byWilliam Trytel
Production
company
Gilbert Church Productions
Distributed byAmbassador Film Productions
Release date
  • July 1952 (1952-07)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

King of the Underworld is a 1952 British crime film directed by Victor M. Gover and starring Tod Slaughter, Patrick Barr and Tucker McGuire.[1] It was written by John Gilling. It was followed by a sequel Murder at Scotland Yard (1953).

Plot

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A master criminal is hunted by the police after committing a series of crimes.

Cast

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Production

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The film was made at Bushey Studios with sets designed by the art director Don Chaffey.

Critical reception

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Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture is tongue-in-the-cheek stuff ... 'Sweeny Tod' Slaughter delivers every menacing line with obvious relish and is both amusing and effectively sinister as Riley, and the rest keep in step. King of the Underworld should be a crowning success with avid readers of penny dreadfuls."[2]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Slight change of pace for barnstorming star, but film not widely shown."[3]

References

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  1. ^ "King of the Underworld". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  2. ^ "King of the Underworld". Kinematograph Weekly: 22. 26 June 1952 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 334. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
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