The Underdog

Barton MacLane, wife Jan Wiley, their son Bobby Larson and their mongrel dog move into a new house. MacLane is an ex-farmer who lost his farm, and now works when he can, not anxious to go home. Larson tries to make friends with the boys in the neighborhood, but local bully Conrad Binyon mocks him, his dog and the local officer on the beat. He idolizes his absent brother, a hooligan who is now in the army. There are subplots about the dog being trained unsuccessfully as a wardog and local saboteurs.

At first glance, it's a cheap and unmemorable PRC offering, directed by William Nigh. Yet it is also an unusual take on patriotism and war effort. The family is definitely White Trash, and they live in a neighborhood befitting their status. None of their plans come off, and they are broke. Yet there's an edge to this movie that cannot be denied. With all the movies about comfortable, middle-class families and the effects of the war on them, this low-class effort is another class heard from. It doesn't improve the hokey plot and poor production, but it offers a different viewpoint.