THE KEY (1934)

1934 brought signature roles for William Powell (M-G-M’s THE THIN MAN) and Edna Best (Alfred Hitchcock’s THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH), but just before, this forgotten little gem at Warners for Powell to finish off his contract. A love triangle set in the middle of the 1914 ‘Irish Troubles,’ with Best married to British officer Colin Clive but still carrying a torch for ex-lover (and Clive’s fellow officer) Powell. Balanced between romantic conflict & street conflict (a hunt for rebel leader Donald Crisp), the fog-bound action takes a while to hit its stride, coming into dramatic focus when director Michael Curtiz launches a technically tricky visual flashback reigniting the old affair. After this, the two conflicts intertwine in a series of renunciation scenes and sacrifices where, for a change, you can’t be sure who Edna will end up with. Some of the early scenes now look awkwardly played (that clipped diction!), but they soon find their footing with unusually satisfying story beats along with some exceptionally strong supporting actors. A real find.

DOUBLE-BILL: Soundstage Hollywood Dublin returned next year on the R.K.O. lot in John Ford’s THE INFORMER/’35; different P.O.V., same fog.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Most Golden Age Hollywood stars needed to land at the ‘right’ studio to find their true cinematic selves. Not William Powell, perfectly in tune with himself whether at Paramount, Warners or M-G-M.