''The Glass Key'', released in 1935, was based upon the 1931 suspense novel ''

The Glass Key ''The Glass Key'' is a novel by American writer Dashiell Hammett. First published as a serial in '' Black Mask'' magazine in 1930, it then was collected in 1931 (in London; the American edition followed 3 months later). It tells the story of a ga ...

'' by

Dashiell Hammett Samuel Dashiell Hammett (; May 27, 1894 – January 10, 1961) was an American writer of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories. He was also a screenwriter and political activist. Among the enduring characters he created are Sam Spade ('' ...

, directed by

Frank Tuttle Frank Wright Tuttle (August 6, 1892 – January 6, 1963) was a Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film director and writer who directed films from 1922 (''The Cradle Buster'') to 1959 (''Island of Lost Women''). Biography Frank Tuttle wa ...

, starring

George Raft George Raft (born George Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is ...

and featuring Edward Arnold,

Claire Dodd Claire Dodd (born Dorothy Arlene Dodd; December 29, 1911 – November 23, 1973) was an American film actress. Life and work Dorothy Arlene Dodd was born on December 29, 1911, in Baxter, Iowa, to Walter Willard Dodd, a farmer whose family ...

Guinn "Big Boy" Williams Guinn Terrell Williams Jr. (April 26, 1899 – June 6, 1962) was an American actor who appeared in memorable westerns such as ''Dodge City'' (1939), ''Santa Fe Trail'' (1940), and '' The Comancheros'' (1961). He was nicknamed "Big Boy" ...

and

Ray Milland Ray Milland (born Alfred Reginald Jones; 3 January 1907 – 10 March 1986) was a Welsh-American actor and film director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985. He is remembered for his Academy Award and Cannes Film Festival Award-winning ...

Ann Sheridan Clara Lou "Ann" Sheridan (February 21, 1915 – January 21, 1967) was an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in the films ''San Quentin'' (1937) with Humphrey Bogart, ''Angels with Dirty Faces'' (1938) with James Cagne ...

has a brief speaking role as Raft's character's nurse in their first film together. The film was remade in 1942, with

Alan Ladd Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and film producer. Ladd found success in film in the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in films noir and Westerns. He was often paired with Veronica Lake ...

in Raft's role,

Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, noted for playing dangerous tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best-known films are ''Beau Geste'' (193 ...

and

Veronica Lake Constance Frances Marie Ockelman (November 14, 1922 – July 7, 1973), known professionally as Veronica Lake, was an American film, stage, and television actress. Lake was best known for her femme fatale roles in film noirs with Alan Ladd ...

in the roles previously played by Arnold and Dodd, and

William Bendix William Bendix (January 14, 1906 – December 14, 1964) was an American film, radio, and television actor, who typically played rough, blue-collar characters. He is best remembered for his role in ''Wake Island'', which earned him an Academy ...

in Guinn Williams' part.

Plot

Paul Madvig ( Edward Arnold) controls crime and politics in the city, helped by the brains and brawn of Ed Beaumont (

). As he throws his support behind Janet Henry's (

) father, in a political campaign, Paul also plans to marry her. Janet's brother Taylor (

) is a gambler heavily in debt to O'Rory (

Robert Gleckler Robert Gleckler (January 11, 1887 – February 25, 1939) was an American film and stage actor who appeared in nearly 60 movies between 1927 until his death in 1939. He was cast for the role of Jonas Wilkerson, overseer of the slaves at Tara in ...

), a gangster whose club Paul intends to put out of business. Taylor, who has been romancing Paul's younger sister Opal (

Rosalind Keith Rosalind Keith (December 6, 1916 – February 24, 2000) was an American film actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or i ...

), is found dead. The temperamental Paul falls under suspicion. Ed pretends to betray Paul while offering to work for O'Rory's organization. He is beaten by Jeff (

Guinn Williams Guinn Terrell Williams (April 22, 1871 – January 9, 1948) was an American banker and politician. A Democrat, he served in the Texas State Senate, and is most notable for his service in the U.S. representative from Texas. His son was the actor ...

), a brutal thug who works for O'Rory, and has to flee for his life. Paul is going to face murder charges, but Janet knows who is really behind her brother's death. It's up to Ed to get her to reveal the truth.

Cast

as Ed Beaumont * Edward Arnold as Paul Madvig *

as Janet Henry *

as Opal Madvig * Charles Richman as Senator John T. Henry *

as Shad O'Rory *

as Jeff *

as Taylor Henry *

Tammany Young Tammany Young (September 9, 1886 – April 26, 1936) was an American stage and film actor. Early life Born in New York City, Young appeared on Broadway in ''The Front Page'' (1928) by Ben Hecht and ''The New Yorkers'' (1930) by Herbert Fields ...

as Clarkie *

Emma Dunn Emma Dunn (26 February 1875 – 14 December 1966) was an English actress. After starting her acting career on stage in London, she became known for her works in numerous films and Broadway productions. Career Emma Dunn appeared onstage in ...

as Mom Madvig * Charles C. Wilson as District Attorney Edward J. Farr *

Mack Gray Mack Gray (December 11, 1905, Brooklyn, New York – January 17, 1981, Beverly Hills, California) was an American actor who was the brother of Joe Gray (actor) and great-uncle of Jon Abrahams. He was given the nickname "Killer" by Carole Lomb ...

as Duke *

as Nurse * George Reed as Midnight (uncredited)

Production

In September 1930, Paramount paid $25,000 for the film rights to the novel when it was in galleys. The following year Paramount announced

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, a ...

would star in a version called ''Graft'' but it was not made. In August 1934, Paramount announced Frank Tuttle would direct George Raft in an adaptation of ''The Glass Key''.

Elissa Landi Elissa Landi (born Elisabeth Marie Christine Kühnelt; December 6, 1904 – October 21, 1948) was an Austrian-American actress born in Venice, who was popular as a performer in Hollywood films of the 1920s and 1930s. She was noted for her a ...

was once announced for the female lead before being replaced by Claire Dodd. Filming started on 25 February 1935.

was billed as "Nurse" at the bottom of the cast list at the end of the film for her brief speaking role with Raft.

Reception

Writing for ''

The Spectator ''The Spectator'' is a weekly British magazine on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest surviving weekly magazine in the world. It is owned by Frederick Barclay, who also owns ''The ...

'',

Graham Greene Henry Graham Greene (2 October 1904 – 3 April 1991) was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading English novelists of the 20th century. Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquir ...

described the film as "unimaginatively

gangster A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Most gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from ''mob'' and the suffix '' -ster''. Gangs provide a level of organization and ...

" and grouped it with the contemporary comedy ''

No More Ladies ''No More Ladies'' is a 1935 American romantic comedy film directed by Edward H. Griffith. The film stars Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery, and co-stars Charlie Ruggles, Franchot Tone, and Edna May Oliver. The screenplay credited to Donald ...

'' to describe both as "second rate" and "transient". Nevertheless, the film became one of Raft's biggest box-office hits of the 1930s.

References

External links

* * *
''The Glass Key''
at BFI * *
Review of film
at ''Variety'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Glass Key, The 1935 films American black-and-white films 1935 crime drama films Films based on American novels Film noir Paramount Pictures films Films directed by Frank Tuttle Films based on works by Dashiell Hammett American crime drama films Films with screenplays by Kathryn Scola Films with screenplays by Kubec Glasmon 1930s English-language films 1930s American films