The Glass Key is the first of two film adaptations of the classic suspense novel The Glass Key by Dashiell Hammett. The film was released in 1935 with George Raft, Edward Arnold and Claire Dodd, and directed by Frank Tuttle. The movie inspired the Coen Brothers film Miller's Crossing in characters, situation and dialog, although not in plot or emphasis.
The Glass Key is the second and better known film noir adaptation of the classic suspense novel The Glass Key by Dashiell Hammett, released a mere seven years after the first. The 1942 version stars Alan Ladd (replacing George Raft), Veronica Lake and Brian Donlevy.
ad O'Rory: I'm too big to take the boot from you. ul Madvig: Maybe you're too big to take it lying down, but you'll take it. You are taking it!
n the phone to the police chief] ul Madvig: I hear Shad's going to open the Four-Leaf Clover again tonight. Slam it down so hard it bounces! Sure. Fine. Goodbye. o Shad] ul Madvig: Now you know where you stand.
d Beaumont: Silk socks don't go with tweed. ul Madvig: I like the feel. d Beaumont: Then lay off tweeds.
ff: That's between me and Shad and the lamppost. And you ain't no lamppost!
m: Don't worry, Ed; you and Paul'll enjoy working with an honest man. Once you get used to it.
ff: Excuse us, gents. We gotta go up and play handball. Me and Cuddles.
ff: Well, if it ain't Sock-me-again Beaumont!
ad O'Rory: You talk too much with your mouth, Jeff.
ul Madvig: He's practically given me the key to his house. d Beaumont: Yeah? A glass key. Look out it don't break off in your hand.
rse: If he gives me any trouble I'll break his jaw. ul Madvig: Mmm. Nice girl.
ad O'Rory: You haven't answered my question. d Beaumont: You haven't made your proposition.
ad O'Rory: [to Jeff] Nurse, our patient needs another massage.
Several actors and their character names listed in studio records and casting call lists did not appear in the movie. These were Edward Peil Sr. (Politician), Al Hill (Bum) and Tom Dugan (I) (Jeep).
Cited as a major inspiration for "Yojimbo" (1961) - Akira Kurosawa admits it himself.
