The Key

The Key is a 1934 American Pre-Code film directed by Michael Curtiz. It was re-issued as High Peril (pre-release title Sue of Fury) in 1960. The story, concerning a love triangle, is set during the Irish War of Independence. Plot Captain Bill Tennant (William Powell) is a British officer stationed in Dublin in 1920. Tennant had a month long tryst with Norah, the wife of his friend, British intelligence officer Captain Andrew Kerr, three years ago before Norah and Andy met. Tennant's first assignment is to capture a notorious Sinn Féin member, Peadar Conlan. His first attempt is a failure, and Kerr is ordered to relieve Tennant overnight. Norah is frightened by his assignment and begs her husband not to go. After Kerr leaves, we see a flashback to when Tennant and Norah were involved, several years before.