Lacking Only the Glossy Sheen Perfected in the 40's, this is, the Under-Seen 1st Version of the 1931 Dashiell Hammett Novel, which was Remade 1942 with Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake.
This is Directed by the Blacklisted Frank Tuttle (who made a mark with "This Gun for Hire" (1942), and made a Star out of, wait for it...Alan Ladd.
Ever Since the Remake this One has Faded Further and Further From Film-Buffs Lexicon and has Lingered in Near Obscurity Only Mentioned in Passing Reference.
Also Hindering the Reputation is the Much Maligned and Overrated, especially Compared to Alan Ladd, George Raft in the Lead.
But, Truth be Told, it is a Solid and Spot-On Performance from Raft that He Seldom Matched, and the Enormous Popularity of Alan Ladd Helped Hide this Under-Seen Gem for Years.
It Contains some Brutal "Code-Pushing" Violence, especially the Famous Scene, in Both Versions where "Ed" Gets the Tar Beat Out of Him by a Possibly "Gay" Sadist Guinn Williams, William Bendix in the Ladd Version.
Also, Witness some Impressionistic Overlays of Shadowing that Preceded the Film-Noir Prime, Possibly Influenced by the Recent Run of "Horror" Films that were Extremely Expressionistic.
Edward Arnold Plays the "Mob-Boss" Controlling the Politics and the City, Brian Donlevy in the Remake. Arnold is More Hard-Boiled, but Phonies Up a Laugh Now and Then. Both Performances Hold Their Own.
Where the 40's Version has Effervescent Veronica Lake Stealing the Spotlight, Rosalind Colli as the Love-Interest Here is Basically a Non-Entity and is Overshadowed by Raft, Arnold, and the Interwoven Political Corruption-Crime Elements.
Look for a Young "Ray Milland in the Opening Act as a Freeloading Gambler that Stirs Things Up in a Big Way.
Madvig: "He's practically given me the key to his house."
Beaumont: "Yeah? A glass key. Look out it don't break off in your hand."
Film-Buffs Must See Both Versions for the Full-Monty.