KING OF THE UNDERWORLD is the first in a rare trilogy of low budget British crime films showcasing the talents of former theatrical star and barnstorming ham Tod Slaughter. It was followed by MURDER AT Scotland YARD and the short film MURDER AT THE GRANGE. The story of KING OF THE UNDERWORLD sees Slaughter up to his neck in a tricky blackmail scheme while dogged - and balding - detective Patrick Barr does everything in his power to bring him to book.
As with other Slaughter vehicles that I'd watched, the film really slows down whenever Slaughter's off screen. He's away for the midsection of the movie which feels very dull without his presence, but when he does show up he's great fun: full of sinister laughter and hot air, delighted with himself and his nefarious schemes. Barr is okay as the protagonist but his character does feel oddly lifeless compared to Slaughter's and you can't help but wish the villain would get away with it in this one.
KING OF THE UNDERWORLD is a mix of fight scenes, characters getting tied up and escaping, murder, jawing, and Barr donning various disguises in the Sherlock Holmes style. Slaughter remains a delight even at his advanced age; my favourite line of his is the cutting retort to his elderly accomplice, "I need to fumigate the room and I can't do it while you're present!".
