Below the Deadline (1946), directed by William Beaudine, is a low-budget but fast-paced crime drama from Monogram Pictures. The film follows Joe Hilton, a former convict who is trying to start fresh and leave his criminal past behind. However, circumstances—and old acquaintances—draw him back into the underworld, testing his resolve and morality. With sharp dialogue, tight pacing, and a raw, streetwise sensibility, the film explores redemption and the challenges of escaping one’s past. Though modest in production, Below the Deadline remains a cult favorite for fans of gritty 1940s noir and classic B-movie storytelling.