The Glass Key
The always aloof Alan Ladd, a former laborer, preferred the friendship of film crews rather than other actors or studio execs. Yet he was able to form lasting friendships with a few of his co-stars, especially William Bendix who accidentally cold-cocked Ladd during a particularly vicious fight scene in this film. Ladd was so taken aback by the sincerity of Bendix's apologies that they formed an immediate and unlikely friendship. They even purchased homes across the street from one another at one point. According to Bendix's wife Tess, the bond was strained in later years after Ladd's wife and manager, , made an offhand remark about Bendix's lack of military service. Stuck in the middle, it would be a decade before the wounds healed between the two. By then, Ladd was career down and self-destructive, leaning heavily on Bendix, who was thriving out of town frequently in the 1960s with stage work. Bendix's heartbreak was evident in the wake of Ladd's premature death (and probable suicide) in January of 1964. Bendix's health failed quickly and he too died (of bronchial pneumonia) a week or so before Christmas that same year.,At c.30 minutes, Paul and Ed are served a full glass of beer each. Following an argument, Ed knocks Paul to the floor, after which Ed breaks an empty glass on the table to threaten Paul. However, neither of them drank any of the beer.,Rusty: My first wife was the second cook at a third-rate joint on 4th Street.,Edited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982),I Remember You
(uncredited)
from The Fleet's In (1942)
Music by Victor Schertzinger
Played as background music when Opal meets Taylor,There are those who will argue that "Shane" is the crowning achievement of Alan Ladd's career but I beg to differ. Although "Shane" is a better film by far, I find Ladd's performance (or imitation of a performance) here about the best that he would ever give. He certainly was no actor but he had a certain detached manner that was appealing and served him well in this film. Ladd and Veronica Lake (who wasn't much of an actor either) were the coldest couple in film history and it was an inspired bit of casting. That was evident after their first pairing in "This Gun For Hire".

The story by Dashiel Hammett is a convoluted tale of dirty politics and nasty characters. Everybody is in it to win but few end up on the winning side. William Bendix is a psychotic bully who beats the stuffing out of Ladd, Brian Donlevey is the mug with his eye on the political prize and the wonderful Joseph Calleia is the oily crime boss. The aforementioned beating of Ladd by Bendix is extremely brutal and the enjoyment that Bendix exhibits while pummeling Ladd half to death makes it even harder to watch.

The film may not be the best noir in the oeuvre, maybe not even close but there is something about the performances of the major players (not to mention Veronica Lake's clothes and strange head wear) that makes it one for your "must see" list.,