UNDERTOW
US, 1949, 71 minutes, Black-and-white.
Scott Brady, John Russell, Dorothy Hart, Peggy Dower, Bruce Bennett, Dan Ferniel, Rock Hudson.
Directed by William Castle.
Undertow is one of the many supporting features produced by Universal Studios in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Of interest is the fact that was directed by William Castle, director of many supporting features at this time, moving into the many thrillers with their gimmicks that he became famous for, The Tingler, House on Haunted Hill… (A high point of his career is that he produced Rosemary’s Baby in 1968.)
The film has a post World War II setting, a serviceman returning to a different world, involved with gangsters in Chicago before he enlisted, wanting to make a new life on his return, wanting to marry the woman he loved. He is played by Scott Brady, quite sympathetic in his tough role.
It does not work out that way. In Reno on his way to Chicago, he encounters a young teacher in a casino and enables her to win, meeting her again on the plane to Chicago. She is played by very charming Peggy Dow (who stayed in films for only three years). On arrival in Chicago, he is arrested for the murder of the gangster boss.
This means that the film has a touch of film noir, the serviceman trying to elude police, taken and bashed, going to a former friend, now policeman (Bruce Bennett), giving him information about blood and bullets, taking refuge with the teacher, her arranging rendezvous meetings with his girlfriend (Dorothy Hart).
This was Rock Hudson’s second film (billed as Roc Hudson). Daniel Ferniel provides a strong presence as the African- American loyal chauffeur.
There are some twists, more or less expected, leading to confrontations, shootouts, and the possibility of building a new life for himself – and, of course, with the charming teacher.
1. A thriller of the 1940s, the film and film noir tradition?
2. The title, Tony and his being drawn back into the criminal world? His change in World War II, the effect on him, his prospects out in the country?
3. Tony, meeting his friend Dan, the running of the casino, the encounter with Anne, helping her to win at the table? The conversation with Dan, the look at engagement rings of prospective fiancés? And this being the later click for Tony recognising what had happened?
4. Flight to Chicago, meeting Anne again, their bonding? The police at the airport, the tip about his having murdered Sam?
5. Being taken, the criminals, the long corridor, being bashed, shot? Getting away?
6. Meeting with Sally, the welcome, Sam and his death? Her being the femme fatale, betraying Tony, in league with Dan, Tony seeing the engagement ring and working out what had happened? Her pretending to help in the search for his abductors? Sam being murdered, Tony and his previous hostility, Sam’s fortune all left to Sally?
7. Chuck, with the police, the police chief and Tony being the only suspect? Tony going to his home, the visit, the blood sample, blood types, the bullet and forensics?
8. Gene, devoted to Sam, hostility towards Tony, discovering the truth, his pursuit of Dan, his having been shot?
9. Going to Anne, the shelter, the busybody landlady? The meetings with Sally?
10. The phone call to Sally, the meeting? The plan? Narrowing down the area for the building, the long corridor? His discovering the truth, the confrontation, the police and the plan, the shootout? The solution?
11. And a nice and hopeful happy ending?
