The Maltese Falcon (1941), John Huston’s directorial debut is widely regarded as the first film noir. This film established the rules for the genre - the tough detective, the damsel in distress and the possibility of romance between the lead characters have all become cinematic cliches. Featuring a great performance by Humphrey Bogart, with supporting roles from Peter Lorre, Mary Astor and Sydney Greenstreet in supporting roles and highlighted by sharp dialogue, skillful direction, The Maltese Falcon soon became a classic.
In the 1930s, there were two ways to make a succesful film - mystery and Humphrey Bogart. It therefore seemed obvious to bring the two together, since although Bogart had made himself into a star playing gangsters, it was obvious to his studio that if he was going to capitalise on his popularity, he would have to play a new role. However, Bogart could not be believeable as a charming, witty, urbane detective, he would have to be an anti-hero; someone who was essentially good, but was not above performing questionable acts if necessary. Sam Spade made an intriguing protagonist - a mystery to the audience throughout the film whose essential good intentions seem overlaid with a certain callousness.
The film centres around the falcon itself: a gold statue encrusted with jewels that was stolen from a ship in the Mediterranean. Sam Spade, consulted over what seems to be a simple familial case is soon caught up in a web of deceit and double-crossing as each character tries their utmost to obtain this priceless statue. The tension in the storyline alone makes the film fascinating, but the stunning black and white photography, with its use of shadows and smoke evokes the seedy underground world which the protagonists inhabit and makes it something special.
CAST
Humphrey Bogart ........ Sam Spade
Mary Astor ..................... Brigid O'Shaughnessy / Miss Wonderly / Miss LaBlanc
Gladys George ............. Iva Archer
Peter Lorre ................... Joel Cairo
Barton MacLane .......... Detective Lieutenant Dundy
Lee Patrick ................... Effie Perine
Sydney Greenstreet .... Kasper Gutman
Ward Bond ................... Detective Sergeant Tom Polhaus
Jerome Cowan ........... Miles Archer
Elisha Cook Jr. ............ Wilmer Cook
James Burke ............... Luke, House Detective Hotel Belvedere
Murray Alper ................. Frank Richman, Driver
John Hamilton ............. District Attorney Bryan