Glass Key, The (DVD)

Based on Dashiell Hammett's best-selling novel, The Glass Key is an intricate murder mystery starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, whose frosty, enigmatic resence was never more engaging. Ed Beaumont (Ladd) is the loyal right-hand man of Paul Madvig (Brian Donlevy), a slightly corrupt politician who is accused of murder. Hunting down the real killer, Beaumont must endure a brutal beating from gangsters, the annoying hindrance of the police and the beguiling advances of is boss' fiancee, socialite Janet Henry (Lake). A box-office hit in its initial release, The Glass Key established Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake as major motion picture stars of the '40s.