The Maltese Falcon

Screening: 6 January 2003
Sponsored and introduced by David Gainsborough Roberts

USA 1941
100 minutes
Directed by John Huston
Leading players - Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet.

Synopsis

A few years ago I was introduced to the actual Maltese Falcon at a small, intimate gathering in London. This unique piece of film memorabilia was invited to lunch in the chairman's office at Christie's auction house in London where it was to be later sold. The estimated price was between $20,000 to $30,000 but it fetched an unbelievable $500,000! I was not the successful bidder. Despite stories of it being made from a lightweight substance the item was, in actual fact, extremely heavy and I well remember the table being re-inforced to take its weight. At least I can say I spent several hours in the company of the 'black bird' always knowing, ever watchful but not a lot to say for itself. Obviously the quiet, silent type.

* * * * * *

In my opinion The Maltese Falcon was both Bogart's and Huston's finest picture. Made in black and white in 1941 the film moves at an electrifying pace without a moment's hesitation. Bogart is superb as Dashiell Hammett's anti-hero sleuth (Sam Spade). But it is the supporting players who steal the show; Peter Lorre, as the whining but deadly jewel thief, Joel Cairo, and Sydney Greenstreet, as the flattering, bluffing fat man, Kasper Gutman, are truly outstanding.

Also look out for Ward Bond - later a major TV western star - playing Detective Tom Polhaus and Huston's father, Walter, appearing in his son's first movie in an unbilled cameo role as captain Jacobi. However, the star of the film is, of course, the elusive Maltese Falcon.

David Gainsborough Roberts