“Why are you Paul's friend?” — Veronica Lake
“Because he's on the dead up-and-up. Why don't you try it sometime?” — Alan Ladd

Dashiell Hammett’s story of crime and politics got a second filming with this glossy Paramount production starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. Ladd had deservedly shot to stardom like a rocket opposite Lake in “This Gun for Hire” but he set the tone for the type of character he would play in the majority of his films with this one.

A good screenplay by Jonathan Latimer and some fine photography from Theodor Sparkuhl complement Stuart Heisler’s crisp direction. Oddly enough, Victor Young, known more for his romantic scores, was picked for this project but he does an outstanding job. Lake, whose cool blonde beauty was a perfect fit for Ladd’s quietly tough screen persona, is also a perfect fit in every creation by costume designer Edith Head.

Brian Donlevy has a good role as political boss Paul Madvig. Ladd is his right hand, Ed Beaumont. Paul is all brawn and not a lot of brains, but Ed is loyal because he is genuine. When Madvig falls for Janet Henry (Veronica Lake), the daughter of the reform candidate, he swings his political machine his way and angers the crooks he’s been protecting.

Joseph Calleia is one of the crooks unhappy with Paul and not quiet about it. William Bendix is excellent as his off-kilter muscle, Jeff. When Janet’s wayward brother, Taylor (Richard Denning), who was secretly seeing Paul’s little sister, Opal (Bonita Granville), winds up dead, Nick (Calleia) will use the newspaper he has in his pocket to implicate Paul in the muder.

Ed knows Paul didn’t do it but also knows he’s hiding something. Ed can pretend to distance himself from Paul, but he can’t distance himself from the growing attraction between he and Janet. Even when she tries to enlist his help he is leery of her; he tells her: “You're slumming, and I don't go for slummers. You think you’re too good for me. Well sister, it just so happens I think I’m too good for you!”

Frances Gifford shines in a small role as the nurse taking care of Ed after a sadistic beating from Jeff. It is Bonita Granville who steals every scene she’s in, however, in a rare adult — sort of — role. Ladd calls her Snip throughout the film, sort of reminding her she isn’t all grown yet. While it is a tad too glossy to have the bite it should have, it is very entertaining, and has a great cast. The ending is terrific and just what the viewer had hoped for. Ladd and Lake fans will love this one. ( )

2023 movie #134. 1942. Alan Ladd tries to help his politician friend who's accused of murder while falling in love with his friend's girlfriend (Lake) and getting the tar beat out of him by William Bendix. OK story but I've never been able to see the appeal of Veronica Lake. ( )