The Maltese Falcon

Filmmaking giant John Huston's 1941 debut feature, based on the hard-boiled novel by Dashiell Hammet and starring Humphrey Bogart as private-eye Sam Spade. Named the 23rd best film of all time by the American Film Institute.

"Huston also wrote the script solo, endowing it with well-rounded episodes of suspense and surprise, but detouring from synthetic theatrics. Of major importance is the standout performance of Humphrey Bogart, an attention-arresting portrayal that will add immeasurable voltage to his marquee values... It's a strongly melodramatic tale concocted in Dashiell Hammett's best style.

"The story details the experiences of private detective Bogart when called in to handle a case for Miss Astor - shortly finding himself in the middle of double-crossing intrigue and several murders perpetrated by strange characters bent on obtaining possession of the famed bejeweled Maltese Falcon. Keeping just within bounds of the law, and utilising sparkling ingenuity in gathering up the loose ends and finally piecing them together, Bogart attempts to solve the series of crimes." (Variety, 1941)

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