Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (July 29, 2026)
Hollywood legend Michael Curtiz directed a whopping seven movies in 1933. For one of these, we go to The Keyhole.
When young, Anne Brooks (Kay Francis) married dancing partner Maurice Le Brun (Monroe Owsley) and thought they quickly dissolved this union. Anne went on to wed wealthy older Schuyler Brooks (Henry Kolker).
However, it turns out the conniving Maurice lied about the divorce so Anne employs a tricky scheme that involves a trip to Cuba to end it. A suspicious Schuyler sends private detective Neil Davis (George Brent) to tail her, a choice with added repercussions.
Though Curtiz directed some legitimate classics like 1938’s Adventures of Robin Hood and 1943’s Casablanca, I don’t view his name attached to a project as a guarantee of quality. Curtiz filmed a few too many clunkers for me to give him that much credit.
Happily, Keyhole ends up on the positive side of the ledger. While not a great film by any stretch of the imagination, the movie offers pretty good entertainment.
Keyhole barely attempts a plot. Instead, it substitutes a series of contrivances that exist simply to get its characters to interact.
Most of the film’s shenanigans take place either on the boat to Cuba or at a hotel there. Conflict emerges among Anne, Neil and Maurice, and we also get a fairly superfluous theme in which Neil’s loutish assistant Hank (Allen Jenkins) attempts to woo sexy con artist Dot (Glenda Farrell).
These domains follow easily anticipated paths and bring no real surprises. Nonetheless, Curtiz stages things in a perky manner that adds life to the trite scenarios. Keyhole combines comedy, intrigue and romance in a manner that ensures it keeps us with it.
Does anything here flirt with greatness? No - Keyhole remains far too predictable for that to occur.
Our leads don’t elevate the material. Neither Francis nor Brent damages the film, but neither brings much charisma either.
Jenkins and Farrell add some spark, though the movie doesn’t need them at all. They really exist as comic relief and filler, as the slight narrative fall seconds short of 70 minutes even with their unnecessary shenanigans.
All of these complaints aside, I enjoyed the time I spent with Keyhole. Contrived and flimsy it may seem, the movie moves well and offers just enough charm to become likable.
