Blackmail (1939 film)

Infobox Film | name = Blackmail


caption = Blackmail movie poster 1939
director = H.C. Potter
producer = Fred T. Gallo
writer = Endre Bohem (story) and Dorothy Yost (story)
David Hertz (screenplay) and William Ludwig (screenplay)
starring =Edward G. Robinson
Ruth Hussey
Gene Lockhart
music =David Snell
Edward Ward
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
released = September 8, 1939 U.S. release
runtime = 81 min
language = English
budget =
imdb_id = 0031102

"Blackmail" is a 1939 crime drama film starring Edward G. Robinson. The black-and-white film was directed by H.C. Potter.

Plot

Edward G. Robinson plays John Ingram, a very successful oil-field firefighter with a young family. All is going so well, he's 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 him in a newsreel and shows up looking for a job. Eventually Ramey attempts to blackmail Ingram, who had run from a chain gang years ago and started a new life and family under an assumed name. After a shady deal is made, Ingram is tricked and Ramey turns him into authorities, who then ends up back on a chain gang. Meanwhile, Ramey becomes a very rich man.

When Ingram finds out about the success of the man that betrayed him, he plans a daring escape in an attempt to return home and get revenge on him.

Cast

*Edward G. Robinson as John R. Ingram, an Alias of John Harrington
*Ruth Hussey as Helen Ingram
*Gene Lockhart as William 'Bill' Ramey
*Bobs Watson as Hank Ingram
*Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Moose McCarthy (as Guinn Williams)