It probably didn't know it at the time, but when "The Maltese Falcon" debuted in 1941, it was inventing a new film genre, one of my personal favorites: the film noir.
Films noir got better later in the decade and throughout the 1950's; they got seedier, starker and more psychologically twisted. And if you can follow the plot of "Falcon," you're either smarter or paying more attention than I.
But I don't know that anyone watches movies like this for the plot, and while I didn't see the "Great Film" in this that others seem to see, I still appreciate its place in screen history for kick-starting two things: film noir and the career of Humphrey Bogart.
As long as Bogie's on screen, no one else really even matters, not even Mary Astor in a sizzling role. Though one can't overlook the presence of Peter Lorre, who makes any movie a bit creepier on the strength of his weird looks alone.
Grade: B+
Films noir got better later in the decade and throughout the 1950's; they got seedier, starker and more psychologically twisted. And if you can follow the plot of "Falcon," you're either smarter or paying more attention than I.
But I don't know that anyone watches movies like this for the plot, and while I didn't see the "Great Film" in this that others seem to see, I still appreciate its place in screen history for kick-starting two things: film noir and the career of Humphrey Bogart.
As long as Bogie's on screen, no one else really even matters, not even Mary Astor in a sizzling role. Though one can't overlook the presence of Peter Lorre, who makes any movie a bit creepier on the strength of his weird looks alone.
Grade: B+