King of the Underworld (1939): cast, story & where to watch
1939 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1939, King of the Underworld is a drama, crime and romance film directed by Lewis Seiler, running about 67 minutes. “Don't kill this killer! Bring him back alive!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. King of the Underworld stars Humphrey Bogart as Joe Gurney, Kay Francis as Dr. Carole Nelson, James Stephenson as Bill Stevens and John Eldredge as Dr. Niles Nelson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, King of the Underworld has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch King of the Underworld page.
If you liked it. Fans of King of the Underworld tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch King of the Underworld (1939)?
- In US, King of the Underworld is available to stream on HBO Max, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is King of the Underworld worth watching?
- King of the Underworld holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, crime and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in King of the Underworld?
- King of the Underworld stars Humphrey Bogart, Kay Francis, James Stephenson, John Eldredge and Jessie Busley.
- When was King of the Underworld released?
- King of the Underworld was released in 1939, with a runtime of about 67 minutes.