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Underworld

Silent and Early Cinema Landmarks

Underworld is a 1927 American silent film directed by Josef von Sternberg, following a gangster boss known as Bull Weed, who takes in and reforms a down and out former lawyer he nicknames Rolls Royce, only for tensions to build after Rolls Royce falls for Weed's girlfriend and a rival gang closes in. Widely regarded as one of the earliest gangster films and a forerunner of film noir, it launched Sternberg's long collaboration with Paramount Pictures and won screenwriter Ben Hecht the first Academy Award for Best Original Story. The film became an unexpected hit after opening in a single New York theater, playing around the clock to meet demand, and it was later named a favorite film by director Luis Bunuel.

Facts
Classification
Original Language
English 1
Award
Academy Award for Best Story 2
Release Year
1927 1
Country
United States 1
Connections

Created By

Josef von Sternberg, Figures
Source Underworld (1927 film), Wikipedia

In Medium

Film, Media Forms
Source Underworld (1927 film), Wikipedia
In the Other Atlases
  • Also in Geography Atlas: United States, originated there.
  • Also in Language Atlas: English, original language there.
Sources
1. Underworld (1927 film), Wikipedia
  • Lead, opening sentence, year
    is a 1927 American silent gangster film
  • Lead, opening sentence, nationality
    American silent gangster film
  • Underworld, Description, original language
    Underworld is a 1927 American silent film directed by Josef von Sternberg, following a gangster boss known as Bull Weed, who takes in and reforms a down and out former lawyer he nicknames Rolls Royce, only for tensions to build after Rolls Royce falls for Weed's girlfriend and a rival gang closes in.
  • In Medium: Film, Article lead sentence
    Underworld (also released as Paying the Penalty) is a 1927 American silent gangster film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent and George Bancroft.
  • Created By: Josef von Sternberg, Article lead sentence
    Underworld (also released as Paying the Penalty) is a 1927 American silent gangster film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent and George Bancroft.
View the Source
2. Underworld (Wikidata)
Wikidata P166: Academy Award for Best Story
Quote, Wikidata P166: Academy Award for Best Story
Wikidata P166 (award received): Academy Award for Best Story.
View the Source
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