I was surprised to see Bogart at this stage of his career billed over Kay Francis, but as other reviewers have said, this was probably part of Warner's strategy to demote Kay and phase her out. This movie is definitely not a proud moment for either the star on the way up (Bogie) or the one on the way down (Francis).
In this era Bogie played all kinds of variations on the gangster role, from philosophical to vicious to satirical, but his part in this movie is a complete misconception. He's supposed to be a dangerous killer, but at the same time he's stupid and that's played for laughs. Is he dangeous or a clown? You can't have it both way. (When Kay Francis calls him "a moronic type" he think it's a compliment). Similarly, Bogart's gang is full of buffoons who supply lowbrow verbal and visual comedy. They might as well have been played by The Bowery Boys. Actually, at times this whole thing doesn't feel too far from a later Bowery Boys movie, except with added violence. It feels like the writer and director couldn't decide if they were making a comedy or a serious gangster movie. Or else this was just a low budget quickie and they didn't care. Another odd thing in the movie is the character of the hobo author, who seems to have wandered in off the set of The Petrified Forest. It's a farfetched effort to supply a love interest for Kay, and I didn't feel any chemistry between them.
I guess this borrows enough from Dr. Socrates to be considered a remake, but there are some major differences in plot and tone. Most importantly, Dr. Socrates was a way better movie, with really good performances by Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak and Barton MacClane as the gangster, playing it straight and scary. That movie is highly recommended, while King of the Underworld is something to watch on late night TV if you're bored.
In this era Bogie played all kinds of variations on the gangster role, from philosophical to vicious to satirical, but his part in this movie is a complete misconception. He's supposed to be a dangerous killer, but at the same time he's stupid and that's played for laughs. Is he dangeous or a clown? You can't have it both way. (When Kay Francis calls him "a moronic type" he think it's a compliment). Similarly, Bogart's gang is full of buffoons who supply lowbrow verbal and visual comedy. They might as well have been played by The Bowery Boys. Actually, at times this whole thing doesn't feel too far from a later Bowery Boys movie, except with added violence. It feels like the writer and director couldn't decide if they were making a comedy or a serious gangster movie. Or else this was just a low budget quickie and they didn't care. Another odd thing in the movie is the character of the hobo author, who seems to have wandered in off the set of The Petrified Forest. It's a farfetched effort to supply a love interest for Kay, and I didn't feel any chemistry between them.
I guess this borrows enough from Dr. Socrates to be considered a remake, but there are some major differences in plot and tone. Most importantly, Dr. Socrates was a way better movie, with really good performances by Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak and Barton MacClane as the gangster, playing it straight and scary. That movie is highly recommended, while King of the Underworld is something to watch on late night TV if you're bored.