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Crime thriller

Undertow (1949): Cast & Plot

Undertow (1949) movie poster

Undertow is a 1949 crime thriller directed by William Castle, starring Scott Brady as Tony Reagan, Peggy Dow and John Russell. It runs 1 hour 11 minutes.

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Undertow (1949) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 11m (71 min)
Director
William Castle
Genres
Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Undertow About?

The premise of Undertow without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Scott Brady plays a former soldier turned gambler who dreams of opening a mountain lodge. Before he can start, he’s falsely accused of murder and takes refuge with Peggy Dow. With Dow’s aid and a friendly police officer, he hunts the true killer. Sharp‑eyed viewers will also spot newcomer Roc Hudson as a plain‑clothes detective.

Undertow Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • framed for murder
  • chicago illinois
  • paroled convict
  • frame up
  • betrayal
  • reno nevada
  • casino
  • murder weapon
  • city map
  • nosy landlady
  • girlfriend betrays boyfriend
  • planting evidence
+38 more
  • infamy
  • murder gun
  • engagement ring
  • crime boss killed
  • american criminal
  • chicago mob
  • plans for the future
  • throwing dice
  • man knocked unconscious
  • police officer shooting at a fugitive
  • suspicion divert
  • suspicion of murder
  • avenger
  • murder
  • ex convict
  • 1940s
  • uncle niece relationship
  • mobster
  • girlfriend
  • inheritance
  • racketeer
  • gunshot wound
  • gambling
  • airplane
  • revenge
  • ring
  • firearm
  • engagement
  • african american
  • car park
  • police detective
  • police investigation
  • suspension
  • schoolteacher
  • childhood friend
  • being tailed
  • threat
  • knocked out by a blow on the head
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Cast & crew

Undertow Cast & Characters

Scott Brady leads the cast as Tony Reagan, with Peggy Dow as Ann McKnight and John Russell as Danny Morgan. Directed by William Castle; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from William Castle

More films directed by William Castle, best-rated first: 13 Ghosts, The Busy Body, I Saw What You Did and The Night Walker.

Full filmography
Plot

Undertow Plot Summary

What happens in Undertow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Tony Reagan, Scott Brady is a low-level member of the Chicago syndicate who was run out of town seven years earlier for his ties to the kingpin Big Jim’s family. The past flames still flicker as he spends a quiet stretch in Reno, staying at a lodge with plans to invest alongside the father of an old army buddy. On this trip, he unexpectedly runs into Danny Morgan, John Russell, a former Chicago partner, and the two men discover they’re both hoping to settle down soon.

Full summary

The whole story of Undertow, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Undertow?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor plays Tony Reagan, the low-level syndicate member at the center of the story?

Cars

Cars in Undertow

9 cars on screen, including the 1949 Ford and the Mercury Eight.

All 9 cars
  • 1949 Ford in Undertow 1949 Ford Important role
  • Mercury Eight in Undertow Mercury Eight Important role
  • 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 in Undertow 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
  • 1948 Checker Taxicab in Undertow 1948 Checker Taxicab Minor role
Details

Undertow Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Tödlicher Sog” and “Chicago, bolgia infernale”.

Also known as
  • Tödlicher Sog
  • Chicago, bolgia infernale
  • Sangue Acusador
  • 逆流

Seen Undertow?

FAQ

Undertow FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Undertow, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Undertow?

Undertow runs 1 hour 11 minutes (71 minutes).

When was Undertow released?

Undertow was released on December 3, 1949.

Who directed Undertow?

Undertow was directed by William Castle.

More films by William Castle

Who is in the cast of Undertow?

Undertow stars Scott Brady as Tony Reagan, Peggy Dow as Ann McKnight and John Russell as Danny Morgan, among 20 credited actors.

Does Undertow have a post-credit scene?

No. Undertow has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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