| Blackmail | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | H. C. Potter |
| Written by | Endre Bohem Dorothy Yost |
| Screenplay by | David Hertz William Ludwig |
| Produced by | John W. Considine Jr. |
| Starring | Edward G. Robinson Ruth Hussey Gene Lockhart |
| Cinematography | Clyde De Vinna |
| Edited by | Howard O'Neill |
| Music by | David Snell Edward Ward |
| Production company | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Blackmail is a 1939 American crime drama film directed by H. C. Potter and starring Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey and Gene Lockhart.
Plot
John Ingram is a highly successful oil-field firefighter and a family man. It is a contented life, he has even bought his own oil well in hope of striking it rich. His greatest fears are realized, however, when a man, William Ramey, from his secret past sees Ingram in a newsreel and shows up looking for a job.
Ramey attempts to blackmail Ingram, who had run from a chain gang years ago, and began a new life under an assumed name. After a shady deal is made, Ingram is tricked and Ramey turns him into authorities, who return him to a chain gang. Ramey subsequently becomes a very rich man.
When Ingram finds out about the success of the man who betrayed him, he plans a daring escape in an attempt to return home and get revenge.
Ramey has successfully run Ingram's business in his absence;but only because no emergencies have arisen that would require Ingram's special knowledge.
As fate would have it, the escaped Ingram arrives at the plant just as a major oil fire breaks out.
Overpowering Ramey, Ingram slowly drags him towards the heart of the blaze; hinting that unless Ramey makes a full confession; he will do nothing to save them.
A frightened Ramey agrees. Ingram douses the oil fire, and is eventually restored to his former position of respectability.
Cast
- Edward G. Robinson as John R. Ingram, an alias of John Harrington
- Ruth Hussey as Helen Ingram
- Gene Lockhart as William Ramey
- Bobs Watson as Hank Ingram
- Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Moose McCarthy (as Guinn Williams)
- John Wray as Diggs
- Arthur Hohl as Rawlins
- Esther Dale as Sarah
- Frank Darien as Watchman (uncredited)
- Robert Homans as Cooper (uncredited)
- Ethan Laidlaw as Oil Worker (uncredited)
- Harry Tenbrook as Truck Driver (uncredited)
See also
- Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film
- Hellfighters is a 1968 American action film starring John Wayne
References
- Nugent, Frank S. (September 15, 1939). "THE SCREEN: FOUR FILMS IN REVIEW; A Whopping Picture Is 'The Real Glory' With Gary Cooper, at the Rivoli--'Blackmail,' Featuring Edward G. Rabinson, Is Presented at the Capital--Two Foreign Pictures Also Are Shown". The New York Times.
External links
- Blackmail at IMDb
- Blackmail at AllMovie
- Blackmail at the TCM Movie Database
- Blackmail at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
| Films directed by H. C. Potter | |
|---|---|
|
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- 1939 films
- 1939 crime drama films
- American black-and-white films
- 1930s English-language films
- Films directed by H. C. Potter
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
- Films with screenplays by William Ludwig
- Films about petroleum
- American crime drama films
- Films scored by David L. Snell
- Films scored by Edward Ward (composer)
- 1930s American films
- Films set in Oklahoma
- English-language crime drama films
- 1930s crime drama film stubs