The Maltese Falcon (1931)

Set in San Francisco, a private detective Sam Spade (Ricardo Cortez) takes on a case that has his partner (Walter Long) killed in an alley. From that point on, the case becomes increasingly complicated as a group of disreputable characters attempt to seduce him into helping them in their pursuit of a fabulous falcon statue worth thousands. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett and directed by Roy Del Ruth (ON MOONLIGHT BAY). This is the first filmization of Hammett's novel. It would be remade in 1936 under the title SATAN MET A LADY and in 1941, the definitive version directed by John Huston. As a pre-code film, this version gets away with its sexual references that the 1941 film skirts around. Other than that, the 1941 film is sheer perfection (particularly in its cast) and although both films share much of the same dialogue, Huston's impeccable direction and script raise the film to iconic status. This version is adequate, no more and the performances even less than that in most cases. Only Una Merkel as Spade's secretary brings a bit of spark to the proceedings. As cinema, it's an interesting footnote to one of the great American films. With Bebe Daniels, Dudley Digges, Dwight Frye, Otto Matieson and Thelma Todd.