Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 31, 2026

The Ruling Voice

The Ruling Voice is a 1931 American pre-Code gangster drama film directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Walter Huston, Loretta Young, and Doris Kenyon. It had an alternate title Upper Underworld, and was produced by First National Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Last revised
Jul 31, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
229 w
Citations
3
Source
The Ruling Voice
Advertisement in a 1931 magazine
Directed byRowland V. Lee
Written byRobert Lord (adaptation)
Screenplay byByron Morgan
Story by
  • Rowland V. Lee
  • Donald W. Lee
Starring
CinematographySol Polito
Edited byGeorge Amy
Music byDavid Mendoza
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • October 31, 1931 (1931-10-31)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Ruling Voice is a 1931 American pre-Code gangster drama film directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Walter Huston, Loretta Young, and Doris Kenyon. It had an alternate title Upper Underworld, and was produced by First National Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.1

Cast

A woman looks up at a man with a furrowed brow and face of concern.
Doris Kenyon and Walter Huston source ↗

Preservation

A copy of The Ruling Voice is preserved at the Library of Congress.2 The film had its copyright renewed and will enter the American public domain on January 1, 2027.a

References

References

  1. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films 1893–1993: The Ruling Voice, afi.com; accessed August 10, 2015.
  2. Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress, American Film Institute, 1978. p. 156.
  1. Under R226207
External links