Review of The Maltese Falcon (1941) by Kevin R — 18 Jul 2012

When you're slapped you'll take it and like it.

Samuel Spade is a private detective. One inauspicious day a beautiful dame walks into his office and asks for his help retrieving a missing artifact. Shortly after agreeing to take the case he is approached by a criminal and his men to execute the same task. How will Spade manage the dame and criminals?

"Keep on riding me and they'll be picking iron out of your liver.".

John Huston, director of Across the Pacific, Key Largo, Asphalt Jungle, The Treasure of Sierra Madre, Moulin Rouge, Casino Royale, The Misfits, Annie, and Prizzi's Honor, delivers Maltese Falcon. The storyline for this picture is very good for about 2/3s of the picture and then slowed way down once the fat gangster (Greenstreet) is introduced to the film. The acting is brilliant and the cast delivers wonderful performances. The cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre, Barton Maclane, and Sydney Greenstreet.

"We didn't believe you. We believed your $200.".

I am a huge Humphrey Bogart fan and when I discovered Maltese Falcon would be playing at the American City Dinner I had to go see it. I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of this film but the last 25-30 minutes were not as good as the beginning. The first 2/3s of the film was unbelievable and definitely a perfect 10. Even though this isn't Bogart's best film I still recommend seeing this picture.

"You're a chap worth knowing.".

Grade: B.