Nothing has aged in this terrific crime thriller! Humphrey Bogart plays a detective named Sam Spade whose partner Miles Archer was recently murdered and also finds out there's a jewel encrusted black bird that gangsters are in on. Soon, he is accused for the murder of his partner by the widow and is further in danger when the cops think he killed Thursby--a man whose widow met with Spade and Archer claiming he's missing with her sister. Soon, the murders are linked and the client is not only a suspect, but involved with Joel Cairo and Kasper Gutman in finding a statue of the bird which recently has been recovered after a ship arrived in San Francisco on fire. The movie has many memorable characters such as Casper Gutmann played by Sidney Greenstreet in his film debut and Joel Cairo played by Peter Lorre. The tone and pacing are gripping throughout and the lighting is a fascinating shade of detail (especially the night time scenes). Including a thundering music score, this one gets to the point and doesn't slow down.

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 !"

Greetings from Lithuania."The Maltese Falcon" (1941) was a bit disappointment for me to be honest. Given the classic status this movie has, i expected more. I did like writing and acting, but that pretty much were best things about it. The story itself did not really involved me. Maybe it would have i would have seen this movie upon its release.Overall, "The Maltese Falcon" is a good movie to see it once, but its not as great as i thought it would be. Some great writing saved it, but that is all.

The film has a strong and great script. Sam Spade's character is written so well showing how he is clever, greedy, bold, and a good talker. The performers were perfect especially (Mary Astor) as (Brigid O'Shaughnessy) and (Peter Lorre) as (Joel Cairo). Of course i didn't mention (Humphrey Bogart) with them because i can't find the right words to describe his performance, but the way he talked in the movie was brilliant. The direction was good. The narrative was unbelievable There were nice clothes and suitable decor for a private detective's office The Soundtrack was very appropriate for a noir film. it was an interesting movie that i didn't want to end10/10