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The Glass Key (1935 film)

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The Glass Key
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrank Tuttle
Written byKathryn Scola
Kubec Glasmon (screenplay)
Harry Ruskin (additional dialogue)
Based onThe Glass Key
1931 novel
by Dashiell Hammett
Produced byE. Lloyd Sheldon
StarringGeorge Raft
Edward Arnold
Claire Dodd
Guinn "Big Boy" Williams
Ray Milland
CinematographyHenry Sharp
Edited byHugh Bennett
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • June 15, 1935 (1935-06-15)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Glass Key is a 1935 American crime drama film directed by Frank Tuttle starring George Raft, Edward Arnold, Claire Dodd, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams and Ray Milland.[1] Ann Sheridan has a brief speaking role as Raft's character's nurse in their first film together. Produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it was based upon the 1931 suspense novel The Glass Key by Dashiell Hammett,

The film was remade in 1942, with Alan Ladd in Raft's role, Brian Donlevy and Veronica Lake in the roles previously played by Arnold and Dodd, and William Bendix in Guinn Williams' part.

Plot

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Paul Madvig (Edward Arnold) controls crime and politics in the city, helped by the brains and brawn of Ed Beaumont (George Raft). As he throws his support behind Janet Henry's (Claire Dodd) father, in a political campaign, Paul also plans to marry her.

Janet's brother Taylor (Ray Milland) is a gambler heavily in debt to O'Rory (Robert Gleckler), a gangster whose club Paul intends to put out of business. Taylor, who has been romancing Paul's younger sister Opal (Rosalind Keith), 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), a brutal thug who works for O'Rory, and has to flee for his life.

Paul is going to face murder charges, but Janet's father knows who is really behind her brother's death. It's up to Ed to get him to reveal the truth.

Cast

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Production

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In September 1930, Paramount paid $25,000 for the film rights to the novel when it was in galleys.[2] The following year Paramount announced Gary Cooper would star in a version called Graft but it was not made.[3]

In August 1934, Paramount announced Frank Tuttle would direct George Raft in an adaptation of The Glass Key.[4]

Elissa Landi was once announced for the female lead before being replaced by Claire Dodd. Filming started on 25 February 1935.[5]

Ann Sheridan 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

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Writing for The Spectator, Graham Greene described the film as "unimaginatively gangster" and grouped it with the contemporary comedy No More Ladies to describe both as "second rate" and "transient".[6] Nevertheless, the film became one of Raft's biggest box-office hits of the 1930s.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
  2. ^ "Hollywood Bulletins". Variety. 17 September 1930. p. 26.
  3. ^ "Advertistement". Variety. 13 May 1931. p. 24.
  4. ^ "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Secures Right to Film 'Shining Hour". Los Angeles Times. 29 Aug 1934. p. 19.
  5. ^ Schallert, Edwin (February 20, 1935). "Binnie barnes scores as new personality; placed in "storm over the andes"". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 163305369.
  6. ^ Greene, Graham (5 July 1935). "The Bride of Frankenstein/The Glass Key/No More Ladies/Abyssinia". The Spectator. (reprinted in: Taylor, John Russel, ed. (1980). The Pleasure Dome. Oxford University Press. p. 6. ISBN 0192812866.)
  7. ^ Aaker, Everett (2013). George Raft: The Films. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 60. ISBN 978-0786466467.
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