Undercover Agent (1939) Director: Howard Bretherton Studio: Columbia Pictures Starring: Scott Kolk, Maxine Doyle, Henry Kolker, Suzanne Kaaren Release Date: May 25, 1939 Runtime: 61 minutes Format: Black-and-White Country: United States Language: English Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery Summary: In Undercover Agent (1939), federal agents investigate a violent crime ring operating across state lines. The story follows one agent who poses as a criminal associate in order to gain access to the syndicate’s inner circle. As he works his way up the organization, he encounters corruption, betrayal, and unexpected dangers, forcing him to balance his duty to justice with the risks of deep-cover infiltration. Background: This version of Undercover Agent was released by Columbia Pictures as part of their series of economical crime dramas aimed at providing straightforward thrills for audiences. Director Howard Bretherton was a veteran of action and western films, known for his ability to deliver efficient, fast-moving pictures. Trivia: Scott Kolk, who plays the lead, was best remembered for his roles in All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Secret Agent X-9 (1937). The film was part of Columbia’s steady output of low-budget crime features during the late 1930s, which were popular in neighborhood theaters. Howard Bretherton, the director, had a career spanning silent films through the 1950s, directing across many genres. Hashtags: #UndercoverAgent1939 #ClassicHollywood #CrimeDrama #ScottKolk #HowardBretherton #GoldenAgeCinema