The Glass Key (1942) | Directed by Stuart Heisler

The Glass Key is a crime drama based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett. The story follows political fixer Ed Beaumont, who works for a corrupt political boss. When his employer is accused of murder, Beaumont is caught between loyalty, criminal underworld power struggles, and his growing attraction to his boss’s fiancée. The film mixes sharp dialogue, political intrigue, and noir tension.

Genre: Crime, Film Noir, Drama

Director: Stuart Heisler

Stuart Heisler (1896–1979) was an American film director who started in Hollywood as an editor before moving to directing. He specialized in dramas, thrillers, and westerns, directing films such as Among the Living (1941), Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman (1947), and I Died a Thousand Times (1955). Known for his efficient storytelling and steady direction, Heisler built a reputation as a reliable studio director during the 1940s and 1950s.

Star Cast:

Alan Ladd as Ed Beaumont

Veronica Lake as Janet Henry

Brian Donlevy as Paul Madvig

Joseph Calleia as Nick Varna

Bonita Granville as Opal Madvig

Richard Denning as Taylor Henry

Moroni Olsen as Ralph Henry

William Bendix as Jeff

The Glass Key was praised for its taut adaptation of Hammett’s novel and for the chemistry between Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, who became one of the iconic screen pairings of the 1940s. The film’s dark atmosphere and political-crime storyline resonated with audiences, cementing it as a solid entry in the film noir canon.

Fun Facts:

This was the second adaptation of Hammett’s novel; the first was released in 1935 starring George Raft.

The film capitalized on the success of Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake’s earlier hit This Gun for Hire (1942).

William Bendix’s portrayal of the sadistic thug Jeff became one of his most memorable roles.

The success of the Ladd-Lake pairing led Paramount to feature them together in seven films.

Dashiell Hammett’s influence on the hardboiled detective and noir genre made The Glass Key a key example of literary adaptation in Hollywood.

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