In the 1930s, George Raft was one of the studio’s highest paid stars. Unfortunately the studio was more known for stylish dramas and refined comedies then for crime films.

But with this 1935 venture, the studio finally found the right vehicle for Raft. In this adaption of the Dashiell Hammett (“The Maltese Falcon”,”The Thin Man”) story, Raft plays Ed Beaumont, right hand man to political boss Paul Madvig (Edward Arnold). When Madvig falls in love with the daughter of a senator (Claire Dodd), he alienates his former associates and turns reformer. What follows is a murder which leaves Madvig as the prime suspect. The only one that can clear him is Beaumont. But has Madvig permanently burned the bridge with his most loyal associate?

Veteran Director Frank Tuttle’s first foray into the hard boiled was true to the atmosphere created by Hammett. The film an early venture into what would become the “Film Noir” genre is highlighted by a one of the most violent beatings ever shown on the screen.

Besides Raft, Arnold and Miss Dodd, the cast includes Ray Milland, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, Charles Richman and if you look quick you’ll see future “Oomph Girl” Ann Sheridan playing a nurse. The film was remade in 1942 with Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake and Brian Donlevy. This later version is more well known as it was meant to capitalize on the on-screen combustion of Ladd and Lake. The later version may have been more polished, but this version is truer to what Hammett created.            - Joel Blumberg, Silver Screen Audio

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Product Code: DC102