SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

SoTrumpBelieve Must See Movie...

ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

John T. Ryan WELL NOW, HERE'S one for the books ! It seems that some particular, optherwise very conscientious writer really stepped on it ! The scribe in question (me), has failed to write his impressions of this John Huston production of THE MALTESE FALCON (Warner Brothers, 1941). IN ONE SENSE, this would be an easy error to commit; being that it is one of those "essentials", as they are called on Turner Classic Movies. We've truly screened it probably about 5 score times (that's a hundred, Schultz!). This celluloid mortal sin is compounded by the fact that our association with IMDb.com dates back to 2001. OH WELL, PLEASE accept our sincere Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpas ! Now let's move on and rectify the situation.WHAT MORE COULD be said about this Classic ? It ranks right up there with such Bogart standards as CASABLANCA, THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, DEAD END and HIGH SIERRA. once this movie hit the theatres, there was a new standard set for the Detective Story.MUCH LIKE SO many Warner Brothers production of the period, this FALCON wastes little screen time. The story telling is taut, but not at all lacking. Director and co-screen writer, Mr John Huston, worked very well with the film editing department, possibly doing his job just a little too well. The editor most likely had a lot less to do than was the norm.AS FOR THE selection of the actors and actresses who would bring it all to life on the silver screen, everyone pitched in and worked as a sort of rep-oratory company. In addition To costars Bogie and Mary Astor, we had Peter Lorre (newcomer to Warners), Gladys George, Barton MacLane, Lee Patrick, Ward Bond, Jerome Cowan,Elisha Cook, Jr.,James Burke, Murray Alper and John Hamilton. These were all folks who were regulars around Warner Brothers, contract players. The cast also contained a couple of others, who could only be called "Gems" and inspired bits of genius. FIRST OF ALL, we had an unbilled, uncredited appearance by a veteran as Captain Jacoby, skipper of the ill fated steamship, La Paloma. It was Walter Huston, veteran and Father of writer-director John Huston. (This is an appearance that many otherwise astute film buffs remain unaware of.THE CROWNING GLORY and ultimate find was the casting of 63 year old Sydney Greenstreet in hi first film. Adding to his outstanding talent, tyhe production team made the fully figured Mr. Greenstreet appear even heavier and more portly. This was accomplished by specially tailoring his costuming and with the use of low angle camera shots done by the cinematographers.THE STUDIO HAD considered casting Edward Arnold in the role; but Studio Head Honcho, Mr. Jack Warner, saw Mr. Greenstreet in a stage play in the Los Angeles area and the rest is history. IN PARTING OF this most unusual and long overdue review, let us just say from the bottom of our hearts, "THANKS, JACK !"

christopher-underwood Most significant for, retrospectively, being considered the first example of 'film noir', it is also Humphrey Bogart's first starring role. Watched today it is fine with some good dialogue but it is slow to start. For current audiences the big entrance of 'knockout' Mary Astor is a real letdown. There is no sign of the lustful lovely and barely a hint of the 'femme fatale' although she does seem to get into the role and is hampered at first with the duplicitous nature of her standing. All is okay and interesting enough to hold the attention and then Peter Lorre enters and the screen lights up. Later it will start to glow when Greenstreet makes his wonderful entry. Bogart who has seemed a bit stiff and awkward with the similarly inhibited Astor is great with the guys, police and all. If his banter with the lady had been as good we would have had a fully fledged 'noir' from the start.

Sameir Ali The movie was the transformation of John Huston from the scriptwriter to the director. His first movie, yet it's the best of his career and one of the best films ever made. This Neo-noir film has a very smart, yet dark hero. He knows how to handle situations, even when he is in trouble. He is able to act brave and burst in anger, even when he is scared and shivering like a rat.The main plot revolves around a priceless Maltese Falcon. Samuel Spade, a private detective get involved in the drama created by the people who need to fetch the falcon.A very thrilling crime investigation movie. You should try it yourself.#KiduMovie

inemjaso History's first film noir, characterized by cynicism and "immoral" sexual attraction, The Maltese Falcon is a masterpiece of the crime drama genre. The opening theme music is ominous with lots of brass and strings. The cinematography throughout is nothing less than cool, with lots of low key lighting and sharp contrasts. The protagonist, Sam Spade, is a classic Bogart character. He is extremely intuitive, intelligent, and charismatic. Though he is weary of trusting law enforcement as a private detective, his independent case work yields great success and collaboration between himself and the police. Spade's counterpart is a woman named Ruth who goes by Brigid for the majority of the film, due to her ties to criminal activity. The viewer can sense that Spade knows Brigid is a liar and guilty of murder, but his affection for her jeopardizes the viewer's certainty about Brigid being brought to justice. However, Spade values his work more and eventually turns Brigid in to the cops. Overall, this film is extremely well written and expertly paced. There are no slow scenes and from the first scene the viewer is drawn intensely into the narrative.