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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon (1941) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 61 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3)
The Maltese Falcon (1941) -- Sam Spade, a private detective, gets involved in a murderous hunt for a valuable statuette.
The Maltese Falcon (1941) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 577% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Dashiell Hammett (novel)
John Huston (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Maltese Falcon on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 October 1941 (USA) more
Tagline:
It's thrilling . . . it's chilling . . . it's the most baffling mystery story in years ! more
Plot:
A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win more
NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Robert Towne: The Hollywood Interview
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 4 November 2009, 12:49 PM, PST)

AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movie Quotes
 (From Extra. 4 November 2009, 4:45 AM, PST)

User Comments:
"The Greatest Movie Star of all time" and more more (227 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Gent from Frisco (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Australia:G (TV rating) | UK:A (original rating) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia/Quebec) | UK:PG (video rating) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Spain:T | Iceland:L | West Germany:16 (nf) | New Zealand:PG | South Korea:12 (2003) | Brazil:12 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:16 (1945) | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (certificate #7457)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
One of the first films admitted to the National Film Registry in its inaugural year, 1989. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Dundy and Polhaus are in the Spade's house, Spade serves a drink to them. When he begins to serve, Dundy is standing and Polhaus sitting. Then Polhaus stands up in the right side of Spade. Next shot he is in front of Spade. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Sam Spade: Yes, sweetheart?
Effie Perine: There's a girl wants to see you. Her name's Wonderly.
Sam Spade: A customer?
Effie Perine: I guess so. You'll want to see her anyway. She's a knockout.
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
What is a "gunsel"?
more
57 out of 70 people found the following comment useful.
"The Greatest Movie Star of all time" and more, 28 November 2006
10/10
Author: JFHunt from Manhattan

Bogart. The coolest guy to ever live?

Have you ever wondered what makes someone possess an essence that's defined as being "cool"? They seem to have that combination between imagery and soul that few people truly have. Is it in the style of clothes you wear or one's knowledge of independence? Is it the way you comb your hair or your unkempt humility for everything out there? It could be in your talk or how you walk, but maybe it's more about what you say and where you're going. In a sense it's an attitude that seeks to define character and break the mold of control. It's the fine line between knowing when to speak up and when saying less means more. So is Bogart the coolest guy to ever live? In a single word, absolutely.

The Maltese Falcon is basically a showcase for Bogart. A role that seems to be made for him, even with two previous attempts at the film. He is and always was born to play Sam Spade. The tough guy private investigator, who always has the right things to say. More likely to fire a witty comeback than a gun. Able to fall in love, even if only for the moment, and then send her to the gallows. All in the name of doing the right thing. It's not an emotional business.

The movie itself wrote the book of the crime and mystery drama story. Probably the best written plot in it's genre. No doubt that Bogart makes the character come alive, with that infectious voice and his uncompromising demeanor. But the movie itself is, to say the least, very good. The ending just does it for me. The last couple of lines are some of the best in film history.

Although it took me a while to finally see this film, I realize that it's one of Bogart's triumphs and has all the main reasons why I love the guy so much. Please, see this film and remember Bogart as he was.

"Heavy. What is it? The, uh, stuff that dreams are made of."

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Gladys George jtcbrt
Mary Astor - worst casting ever? jackmronner
Where's the seven minute take? MJB784
People sure do talk fast in this movie! Justin C
Thirsby sherlock-37
Questions mushaden
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