The Maltese Falcon (Old Time Radio) by Humphrey Bogart Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Maltese Falcon (Old Time Radio)
Book Review: One of the great detective films of all time
Summary: 5 Stars
Humphrey Bogart had been in many films in the 1930's, but this is the one that made him a star and gave him mystique and, along with "Casabanca", is probably the film role for which he is most remembered. There is really no extraordinary action going on in this film and no grand finish. It is basically a character study of Sam Spade, the definitive hard-boiled private detective and to a lesser degree of Gutman, one of the villains - and there are several - played by Sidney Greenstreet in his first film appearance. Why is Sam Spade so fascinating when he has so many bad personality traits and character flaws? Because nobody is this tough! Not until Dirty Harry came along 30 years later did the silver screen exhibit someone with such a knack for laughing in the face of danger. Gutman's cartoonish armed front men are just a joke to Sam Spade, who easily disarms them, often makes them look ridiculous, and then just hands the loaded weapons right back over to them without a second thought. In fact, at no time during this film is there a predicament for which Spade doesn't have a quick and cool response. Mary Astor is also great as Brigid O'Shaughnessy, the femme fatale who comes to Spade's office at the beginning of the film and sets all of the action in motion. Even though Spade can see that she has been piling one lie on top of another throughout the film, for some reason he falls for her, the one act in this whole film that seems somewhat inconsistent with Spade's self-interested personna until the final scene when he does reveal that he has a "code" of sorts. This is truly one of the most interesting films of all time and a great vehicle for Bogart.Book Review: "You're a good man, sister."
Summary: 5 Stars
A favorite line. I use it a lot.
Wonderful dialogue, besides cinematic genius. "I like talking to a man who likes talking to men." Every character sparkles. What another reviewer said about no fat: absolutely clean, essential, and altogether brilliant. I still watch this film at least once a year. I even love the last misquote: "It's the stuff dreams are made of." Go see it immediately.
Book Review: One Of The Finest Crime Thrillers Ever Made.
Summary: 5 Stars
The film that made Humphrey Bogart a star, "The Maltese Falcon" stands to this day as a landmark in the crime & mystery genres of cinema. With its complex cast of characters, intricately concocted plot, and excellent direction and pacing courtesty of the great John Huston, it has stood the test of time to become a defining moment in cinema.
Bogart stars as Sam Spade, a down on his luck, hard boiled private eye. When a lovely woman (Mary Astor) approahces him for help in finding a suspect who he considers dangerous, Spade's partner is put on the case. When his partner turns up along the dead along with the suspect he was trailing, Spade now becomes intent on finding the killer. He finds out that the woman who turned to him for help is a liar, but a relationship developes nonetheless. Spade learns through a variety of suspects (played by legendary character actors such as Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet) that The Maltese Falcon, a Spanish artifact from the time of of the 1500s', is the key reason behind his partner's murder. Each of these sordid characters will stop at nothing to get their hands on it, and this all leads to a shocking conclusion.
"The Maltetse Falcon" is a wonderful film that features every actor at the top of their game. This three disc special edition comes with great sound and picture quality as well as a stunningly impressive array of bonus features. Highly recommended to all film fans.
Book Review: Classic Bogart
Summary: 5 Stars
I dont know what to say but its a true classic. Also it has a nice list of special features that put this classic film experience right back into the theater.Book Review: "When You're Slapped, You'll Take It And Like It"
Summary: 5 Stars
Everyone's already written how great a movie this is--I would just like to chime in. Great acting, great characters, great plot, and absolutely adorable dialog. This movie has it all, and does it properly. Even when Bogart takes someone's guns away, it seems entirely genuine and plausible.
This DVD does have some issues--the only Cast and Crew section I could access in the special features portion is Bogart's, for instance. I couldn't notice any detriment on the movie itself, however (like with the video/audio synching).
Do a favor to yourself and buy, or at least rent, this movie. The characteristic grin on Bogey's face alone will provide you with ample reimbursement.