Deluge

Deluge

Year: 1933

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: English

Director: Felix E. Feist

DramaScience FictionThriller

A cataclysmic earthquake shatters the United States, flattening the West Coast and setting off an immense flood that surges eastward. The rising waters threaten to inundate the East Coast, endangering the nation and its very laws and morals. In this apocalyptic scenario.

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Timeline & Setting – Deluge (1933)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Deluge (1933). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Set in a post-catastrophe era following a global disaster, the immediate aftermath features isolated communities on artificial islands around New York. Scientists warn of ongoing danger as telegraph and news from distant cities signal a world in flux. The period is defined by improvised governance, resource sharing, and attempts to restore normal life amid ongoing peril.

Location

New York City area islands, near the former site of New York City

The action unfolds on newly formed islands off the former site of New York City, created by the catastrophe. Survivors establish small refuges, with a remote cabin and a tunnel system serving as shelter and a lifeline. A nearby island town forms where people rebuild a basic civil order amid remnants of the old world.

🏝️ Island setting 🗺️ Post-disaster

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

Main Characters – Deluge (1933)

Meet the key characters of Deluge (1933), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Martin Webster (Sidney Blackmer)

A practical and grieving husband and father who survives the disaster on a remote island. He initially believes his wife Helen and children are dead, becomes protective of Claire, and ultimately leads the town, organizing an auction-based economy and serving as mayor. His loyalties are tested as love and duty pull him between two women, shaping his compassionate but resolute leadership.

🧭 Leader ❤️ Complex emotions 🧱 Resilient

Helen Webster (Lois Wilson)

Martin's wife who is found alive after the catastrophe and cared for by the town. She embodies the struggle between personal loss and commitment, ultimately choosing fidelity to her husband while navigating the arrival of Claire in their lives. Her role anchors the family unit and the town’s search for stability.

💪 Survivors ❤️ Faithful 🕊️ Hopeful

Tom (Matt Moore)

The town’s leader who tends to Helen after the disaster and has fallen in love with her. He embodies the clash between romantic devotion and the realities of stewardship in a fragile community. Tom organizes the vigilante effort that helps reclaim the tunnel and restore safety for the town.

🧭 Leader 💔 Love triangle 🛡️ Defender

Claire Arlington (Peggy Shannon)

A world-class swimmer who washes ashore and becomes a focal point of affection and conflict. She bonds with Martin, later facing heartbreak as his loyalty to Helen complicates their relationship. Claire’s eventual departure to sea marks a poignant end to her chapter in the rebuilt world.

💔 Love 🌀 Outsider 🏊‍♀️ Strength

Jepson (Fred Kohler)

A ruthless ruffian who leads a gang and pursues Claire, escalating danger for the island community. His confrontation with Martin culminates in a violent struggle inside the tunnel, where Claire ultimately kills Jepson. He personifies the lawlessness that haunts post-disaster society.

🔪 Antagonist ⚔️ Violence 🧯 Threat

Bellamy / Gang Leader (Philo McCullough)

Head of the Bellamy gang that preyed on survivors and controlled parts of the island after the disaster. He represents the social decay that can accompany catastrophe and the challenge of restoring order amid crime. His hideout is pursued by the town's vigilantes during the rescue.

🧭 Criminal 🛡️ Threat 👥 Gang

Ronny Webster (Ronnie Cosby)

Young member of the Webster family, a child in the reunited group on the islands. While not a central figure, his presence highlights the stakes of rebuilding a safe life for future generations. He represents the innocence caught in the catastrophe’s wake.

🧒 Child 🛡️ Hope 🗺️ Family

Jack (Lane Chandler)

A townsman who is part of the developing community. He contributes to the social fabric of the rebuilt town and participates in the collective effort to manage resources and protect the settlements. His role underscores the ensemble nature of post-disaster recovery.

🧭 Community 🧩 Supporting role 🏗️ Builder

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

Major Themes – Deluge (1933)

Explore the central themes of Deluge (1933), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Survival & Community

After the disaster, survivors band together to form a makeshift town on the islands. They organize resource distribution through an auction system and strive to establish some sense of order. The narrative emphasizes resilience, cooperation, and the slow rebuilding of social life under harsh conditions.

❤️ Love & Loyalty

Martin is torn between his wife Helen and Claire Arlington, revealing a complex web of affection in extreme circumstances. Claire’s presence tests loyalties and challenges traditional commitments within a crumbling social order. The relationships drive personal conflict as the community tries to hold onto humanity.

⚖️ Governance & Justice

Martin’s leadership emerges as he guides the reconstruction, eventually becoming the town mayor and organizing fair commerce. The town’s new governance contrasts with the lawless elements represented by the Bellamy gang. The story explores how order can be built from scarcity and social tension.

🔥 Conflict & Violence

Violence erupts as Jepson and the Bellamy gang threaten the fragile community, kidnapping Claire and clashing with Martin. The vigilante effort led by Tom helps reclaim the tunnel and restore safety, highlighting the costs and moral ambiguities of crisis-driven justice. The climax fuses personal vendetta with communal defense.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

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Deluge Summary

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