The Glass Key (1935 film)
The Glass Key, released in 1935, was based upon the suspense novel "The Glass Key" by Dashiell Hammett, directed by Frank Tuttle, starring George Raft, and featuring Edward Arnold, Claire Dodd, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams and Ray Milland. 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. 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 knows who is really behind her brother's death. It's up to Ed to get her to reveal the truth. 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 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 was once announced for the female lead  before being replaced by Claire Dodd. Filming started on 25 February 1935. Reception. 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". Nevertheless, the film became one of Raft's biggest box-office hits of the 1930s.