Veronica Lake: Film Noir Double Feature

Though Lake is in her policeman's arms by the end, she spends most of her last scene focused on the hitman and his peace of mind. Audiences enjoyed the chemistry between Lake and Ladd; they wanted them to be in each other's arms by the final scene. They would soon get their wish.

The Glass Key (1942)
Directed by: Stuart Heisler
Also Starring: Alan Ladd, Brian Donlevy, Bonita Granville

Lake and Ladd were rushed into their next picture together, Paramount feared their new male star would be drafted. While Ladd tends to be favored in this second pairing, Lake does not suffer in the balance.

This time she plays a rich girl who doesn't let her engagement to the head of the voter's league (Donlevy) stop her from flirting with his best friend (Ladd). She is actually doing whatever it takes to solve the mystery of her brother's murder, but she has a more enduring interest in Ladd than as a resourceful detective.

They meet at a party, and make eyes at each other while Donlevy entertains everyone with his boisterous stories. Without speaking a word, they communicate the playful mutual admiration of budding soulmates. It is difficult to remember anything Donlevy has said by the next scene.

Lake finds that she is not nearly as effective in her detective work as Ladd, but she manages to overcome his resistance when it comes to romance.

Though the pair would appear together in a few more films, the only one that comes close to being as satisfying as their first two pairings is post-war noir The Blue Dahlia (1946)

Veronica Lake on Classic Actresses:
Here are some more links in my topic about Veronica Lake and her movies.
Veronica Lake: The Girl With the Peek-a-boo Bang
Preston Sturges: Turning Drama Into Laughs

Other Veronica Lake Links

Thank you to Douglas Stickney at www.SilverScreenSirens.com for permission to use the photos of Veronica Lake.

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