Physician Carole Nelson, suspected of having ties to notorious gangster Joe Gurney, must prove her innocence or the Medical Board will revoke her license. When Gurney seeks her out for treatment after being shot, it could be the break Nelson needs. Now she has a chance to use her medical know-how to outwit Gurney and his goons and reestablish her professional reputation.
A brilliant but ruthless gangster, Joe "The King" Barton, is shot and presumed dead. He survives and undergoes plastic surgery to alter his appearance. Under a new identity, he infiltrates the hospital where his former gang operates, planning revenge and a return to power.
King of the Underworld was a moderately successful crime drama for Warner Bros. at the time, benefiting from its strong cast, particularly Humphrey Bogart in an early leading role and Peter Lorre as a menacing psychiatrist. While not critically acclaimed as a groundbreaking film, it was appreciated for its fast pace and gangster melodrama elements. Audience reception was generally positive for its genre conventions.
Google audience: Audience reviews for 'King of the Underworld' are sparse due to its age, but historical sentiment generally points to it being a well-executed B-movie crime drama of its era, appreciated for its plot and Bogart's early star turn.
This film was one of Humphrey Bogart's early leading roles before he became a major star, showcasing his ability to play tough, morally ambiguous characters.
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