"The Glass Key" was Dashiell Hammet's favourite of his own stories and this excellent adaptation of his 1931 novel is full of pace, twists and typically hardboiled dialogue. Its intricate plot features corruption, treachery, murder and romance but it's the various relationships that exist between the main characters that really provide its most intriguing ingredient. Predictably, as the action takes place in the world of big city politics, deceitfulness, deviousness and double-dealings are everywhere.
Paul Madvig (Brian Donlevy) is the political boss from the wrong side of the tracks whose life becomes increasingly chaotic after he falls for Janet Henry (Veronica Lake) and stops thinking with his brain. His first decision is to transfer his support to Janet's father Ralph (Moroni Olsen) who's running for governor as the reform candidate and this brings him into conflict with local gangster Nick Varna (Joseph Calleia). Nick has enjoyed a longstanding arrangement with Paul which ensured that (for an appropriate payment) his gambling joints have been protected from any interference by the police. The continuation of this arrangement, however, becomes incompatible with Paul's new political allegiance and he instructs the police chief to shut down Nick's clubs immediately.
Ed Beaumont (Alan Ladd) is Paul's right hand man and advises strongly against the course of action that Paul is taking. He's not convinced about Ralph Henry's sincerity and also firmly believes that Janet is simply using him to help achieve her father's ambitions. Ed's suspicions are confirmed one night at the Henrys' residence when Janet makes it clear that she doesn't think very highly of Paul. Ed is extremely loyal to Paul and gives her the brush-off.
Ralph Henry's son Taylor (Richard Denning) drinks and gambles too much and is heavily in debt to Nick Varna. Paul's 18-year-old sister Opal (Bonita Granville) is involved in a relationship with Taylor which Paul strongly disapproves of and so, when Taylor is found dead and it looks like murder, Paul becomes the prime suspect and Ed sets out to clear his boss' name.
Paul's refusal to accept Ed's advice leads to a rift between the two men and Ed's refusal to cooperate with Nick Varna in framing Paul, leads to him being beaten repeatedly by Nick's henchmen before the sequence of events that follow culminate in the identity of the real murderer being revealed.
There are a few standout scenes in this movie such as when Ed and Janet meet for the first time and the magnetic attraction between them is palpable. Similarly, when Ed is viciously beaten by Nick Varna's thug called Jeff (William Bendix), what transpires is particularly unpleasant but also interesting to watch , as it's obvious that Jeff enjoys his work for reasons which go beyond simple sadism. The scene in which Ed falls from a building and smashes through a glass roof on his way to the ground is also notable as it's the movie's most expertly filmed piece of action.
The presence of the Ladd and Lake partnership helped to make this movie a great box office success and their typically deadpan performances add to the intrigue as their motivations are not always immediately apparent. Brian Donlevy is great as the cheerfully corrupt Paul. who despite his background achieved considerable financial success but without ever managing to acquire any additional sophistication along the way. William Bendix provides the pick of the supporting performances as an extraordinary thug whose actions contribute significantly to the story's final outcome.
Paul Madvig (Brian Donlevy) is the political boss from the wrong side of the tracks whose life becomes increasingly chaotic after he falls for Janet Henry (Veronica Lake) and stops thinking with his brain. His first decision is to transfer his support to Janet's father Ralph (Moroni Olsen) who's running for governor as the reform candidate and this brings him into conflict with local gangster Nick Varna (Joseph Calleia). Nick has enjoyed a longstanding arrangement with Paul which ensured that (for an appropriate payment) his gambling joints have been protected from any interference by the police. The continuation of this arrangement, however, becomes incompatible with Paul's new political allegiance and he instructs the police chief to shut down Nick's clubs immediately.
Ed Beaumont (Alan Ladd) is Paul's right hand man and advises strongly against the course of action that Paul is taking. He's not convinced about Ralph Henry's sincerity and also firmly believes that Janet is simply using him to help achieve her father's ambitions. Ed's suspicions are confirmed one night at the Henrys' residence when Janet makes it clear that she doesn't think very highly of Paul. Ed is extremely loyal to Paul and gives her the brush-off.
Ralph Henry's son Taylor (Richard Denning) drinks and gambles too much and is heavily in debt to Nick Varna. Paul's 18-year-old sister Opal (Bonita Granville) is involved in a relationship with Taylor which Paul strongly disapproves of and so, when Taylor is found dead and it looks like murder, Paul becomes the prime suspect and Ed sets out to clear his boss' name.
Paul's refusal to accept Ed's advice leads to a rift between the two men and Ed's refusal to cooperate with Nick Varna in framing Paul, leads to him being beaten repeatedly by Nick's henchmen before the sequence of events that follow culminate in the identity of the real murderer being revealed.
There are a few standout scenes in this movie such as when Ed and Janet meet for the first time and the magnetic attraction between them is palpable. Similarly, when Ed is viciously beaten by Nick Varna's thug called Jeff (William Bendix), what transpires is particularly unpleasant but also interesting to watch , as it's obvious that Jeff enjoys his work for reasons which go beyond simple sadism. The scene in which Ed falls from a building and smashes through a glass roof on his way to the ground is also notable as it's the movie's most expertly filmed piece of action.
The presence of the Ladd and Lake partnership helped to make this movie a great box office success and their typically deadpan performances add to the intrigue as their motivations are not always immediately apparent. Brian Donlevy is great as the cheerfully corrupt Paul. who despite his background achieved considerable financial success but without ever managing to acquire any additional sophistication along the way. William Bendix provides the pick of the supporting performances as an extraordinary thug whose actions contribute significantly to the story's final outcome.