The Glass Key
Seen it?1942 | 85 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Touch of Evil or The Naked City, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 25 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1942: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 27K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Touch of Evil
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Joseph Calleia, in another critically acclaimed crime thriller.
The Naked City
Saturday SpecialAnother crime thriller that's easy to miss.
The Mirror Crack'd
Weeknight WatchAnother crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Third Man Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed thriller.
Nick of Time
Monday Morning MaybeAnother crime thriller. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stuart Heisler
- Brian DonlevyPaul Madvig
- Veronica LakeJanet Henry
- Alan LaddEd Beaumont
- Bonita GranvilleOpal 'Snip' Madvig
- Richard DenningTaylor Henry
- Joseph CalleiaNick Varna
- William BendixJeff
- Frances GiffordNurse
- Donald MacBrideFarr
- Margaret HayesEloise Matthews