The Key (1934)

British officer is assigned to duty in Ireland and gets embroiled in Anglo-Irish battles and old girl friend who is now married to an Irishman. Powell learns more than he wanted to know ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Laird Doyle (screenplay), R. Gore Brown (play),

Stars:

William Powell, Edna Best, Colin Clive

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Powell	...	Capt. Bill Tennant
Edna Best	...	Norah Kerr
Colin Clive	...	Capt. Andrew 'Andy' Kerr
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Homer, Tennant's Aide
Halliwell Hobbes	...	General C.O. Furlong
Donald Crisp	...	Peadar Conlan
J.M. Kerrigan	...	O'Duffy
Henry O'Neill	...	Dan
Phil Regan	...	Young Irishman Killed by Andrew
Arthur Treacher	...	Lt. Merriman, Furlong's Aide
Maxine Doyle	...	Pauline O'Connor
Arthur Aylesworth	...	Kirby
Gertrude Short	...	Evie a Barmaid
Anne Shirley	...	Flower Girl (as Dawn O'Day)

Storyline

British officer is assigned to duty in Ireland and gets embroiled in Anglo-Irish battles and old girl friend who is now married to an Irishman. Powell learns more than he wanted to know about "the Irish Problem."

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Plot Keywords:

martial law | forgery | irish rebellion | army | fugitive | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 June 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

High Peril

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"There's a Cottage in Killarney"
by Mort Dixon and Allie Wrubel

User Reviews

Interesting, Atmospheric Movie

I thought The Key was excellent. Interesting story, strong dialogue and good performances. To my mind this is one of Michael Curtiz' best films. It's not just a matter of creating atmosphere. In shooting the street scenes and club scenes Curtiz fills the frame with movement. This film really has the feel of life in the city. With the help of cinematographer Ernest Haller and art director Robert Haas, Curtiz makes the tension of the situation palpable. There are some weak moments, but my only real complaint is that William Powell could be stronger. He's fine at the beginning when he's just playing the breezy adventurer. But as we see that the character is more complex, Powell needs to do more to show the conflict within. Instead he keeps it mostly on the surface. On the other hand, a lot of the actors in small roles are marvelous. Over all, this is a really solid movie.