Directed by Wilfrid North Distributed by Select Pictures Director Wilfrid North | Starring Aurthur Guy Empey Country United States Cinematography John W. Brown | |
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Written by William Addison Lathrop (scenario) Release date November 16, 1919 (1919-11-16) (United States) Similar Corianton: A Story of Unholy L, The Battle Cry of Peace, Lucky Carson, Human Desire | ||
The Undercurrent was a 1919 American silent directed by Wilfrid North, produced by Guy Empey, distributed by Select Pictures. It is based on a story by Arthur Guy Empey and though fictional, is considered a sequel to Over the Top which was a 1918 movie loosely based on his autobiographical book of the same name about his own experiences in the British Army in World War I. The New York City premier was held at the Capitol Theatre and was attended by General John J. Pershing who was in New York City for the International Trade Conference of 1919.
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Red Scare
The Undercurrent is one of several films from around the same period inspired by if not fanning the flames of the Red Scare which followed World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was released during the Steel strike of 1919 which the public had turned against largely due to the Red Scare. Other similarly themed films of the time include Bolshevism on Trial (1919), The Burning Question (1919), The Right to Happiness (1919), The Volcano (1919), The Red Viper (1919),The Great Shadow (1920), The Lifting Shadow (1920), and Dangerous Hours (1920).
In the November 14, 1919 issue of Variety, Charlie Chaplin found it necessary to state "I am absolutely cold on the Bolshevism theme; neither am I interested in Socialism" in order to allay fears of where his sympathies lay in regards to the making of Red Scare films.
Empey publicly endorsed deportation for radicals and said "My motto for the Reds is S.O.S. - Ship Or Shot".
Plot
Jack Duncan, a returning World War I veteran joins a group of Bolsheviks. He soon grows disillusioned with the organization and denounces it cause. Mariska, a Russian agent who, upon learning that the authorities are about to arrest her, shoots a fellow provocateur and then turns the weapon on herself.