The Maltese Falcon -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 163)

[@a11oge]

It took me many years to appreciate this film. I guess when I was young I needed to see more action and not so much talking - like Dirty Harry - but now I see it for the great film it is.

[@missk8tie]

My read on Spade is that he adheres to his own personal code of conduct, not society's rules. When you break down the clues, you see he knows who killed his partner on that first night, and he wasn't going to let that go, regardless of whatever personal feelings or emotions he might have. That's why no one can manipulate him for long - they don't know what he really values.

[@thiscorrosion900]

Yep, realized all this watching the blu ray of the movie last night. Spade resists temptation at the end and walks away from doing the wrong thing. There are lines he won't cross.

[@IFStravinsky]

One correction: Brigid O'Shaughnessy was played by Mary Astor. Gladys George played Iva Archer.

[@noname-bk7bc]

great review. I remember watching this movie with my mom and dad for the first time when I was a kid. They are both gone now but I will always have those memories and love for this movie.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you very much.

[@captainnolan5062]

i.e., 'You will always have Paris.'

[@VGRedux]

Certainly a late comment, but I'm 24 and just now getting into much older films and this is one of the first I chose to watch and just wow. I love this film. Excellent video!

[@davewalter1216]

Presumably someone else has pointed this out already, but at 3:55 you confound Gladys George (Archer's wife) with Mary Astor playing the femme fatale.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Thank you.

[@TheLookingOne]

Mary Astor played the femme fatale Gladys George played Iva Archer

[@OirichEntertainment]

The first noir and remains the greatest noir.

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

Ive watched this one 3 times and for some reason have a hard time getting into it. This video has motivated me to watch again

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@miketully9905]

A rarely sighted fact… Sydney Greenstreet was a famous stage actor who had officially retired when Peter Lorre talked him into auditioning for the part of “Mr.Gutman” in The Maltese Falcon which was, in his retirement from acting on stage, Greenstreet’s film debut! And his subsequent roles in film became his SECOND and more widely known career as an actor. After Falcon Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet became a nearly inseparable pair on movie marquees, and a pair near to a guarantee of box office success. And for Ren & Stimpy fans.. I think Ren was inspired by Peter Lorre, and Stimpy inspired by Larry Fine of 3 stooges fame. Just a thought.

[@rosezingleman5007]

You mean *Mary Astor, not Gladys George as the femme fatale Ruth Wonderly/Brigid. Edit: this was actually the *second* remake of the Hammett novel. It had been filmed with the title “Satan Met a Lady” in 1936 with Bette Davis.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks for the correction.

[@NostalgiNorden]

The plot to this film is harder to follow than Memento or Persona.

[@linkbiff1054]

Memento is easy after the second watch. Falcon is as crazy as The Big Sleep

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Not really. Read the book and it explains it perfectly.

[@NostalgiNorden]

@@Shah-of-the-Shinebox If you have to read the book to follow the plot of a movie it's pretty complicated.

[@nickchang5293]

The plot isn’t nearly as convoluted as The Big Sleep or Chinatown, also among the greatest film noir ever made. These films have so much depth in the plot and characterization that compel repeated viewings to new revelations each time, and that’s what makes them great.

[@Xylus.]

Big Sleep is even more challenging. I actually was able to parse through Maltese Falcon.

[@johndar3536]

The stuff that dreams are made of. What a great film and fantastic cast

[@Music--ng8cd]

From the Tempest: "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."

[@catnipyfy]

"Why did you shoot Miles?" - it's a question I've asked myself a bazillion times . . .

[@rayjohnson9781]

This is such a great movie. Also “ The Treasure of the Sierra Madre “ directed by John Houston, (he plays a small part too) and his father the great Walter Houston plays a starring role and of course Boggie playing a bad guy who doesn’t redeem himself, truly another great movie . 🤙🤙🤙☮️☮️☮️

[@leno__jeno]

Great observations. It's probably tied as my favourite noir next to DOUBLE INDEMNITY. I think it's Humphrey Bogart's best performance. The movie is basically loads of exposition followed by more exposition saying that the first exposition was all wrong anyway. And again, and again, seemingly ad infinitum. I think it is a premise that can easily fail but it works tremendously well. What you said about the framing is very interesting - didn't actively notice it on any viewing so far but the clips you show in the video certainly prove your point very well. Makes me wanna rewatch it right now!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. try the film out and see -- I think the points in the video hold up, yet there is likely far more, and far more complexity. It is also true, as you suggest, that a massive load of exposition in and of itself isn't wrong. It's just a style choice that can make sense/work well or fail miserably, as all style choices can.

[@LLNYRN]

Funny Growing Up Story... When I was a kid during The late 60s/early 70s, I used to watch this film often when it was broadcast on WPIX Channel 11 in NYC. I became a huge fan of Peter Lorre. As a kid, I could have sworn up and down that Lorre was a light-skin Black Man because that Perm he wore as Joel Cairo. That style was one of the main Black hairstyles in those days. My GrandFather (who took Me to The Movies often) would constantly roll his eyes and just let it go. Of Course later on, I read of Lorre's Hungarian origin. Cairo is one of My favorite Film Noir Characters EVER! And hopefully, Warner Bros will have their early Winter $10 - $15 sale later this year. Because I have a list of all the Noir Films I want to get a hold off. Great Analysis of one of My Favorite Classic films growing up.

[@halocoward]

Just watched this again last week, perfect timing 🙂

[@lukasmiller486]

Mary Astor’s character is ultimate professional victim-someone who preys on your emotions to distract you from uncovering facts.

[@rhobot75]

Hello, Just a gentle correction, that the femme fatale Ruth Wonderly/Brigid O'Shaughnessy is played by Mary Astor. Gladys George is Archer's wife.

[@darrenhoskins8382]

Mary Astor v good in lots of things ie the revealed murderer Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte

[@rumrstv]

One of the main features of the hard boiled detective film like the Maltese Falcon or another great film The Big Sleep is that exactly what going on is never the point. The main point is that the detective's client in the end is protected and/or extricated from what ever trouble is whirling around them. Understanding the plot never really matters. That, to me, is the beauty of the genre. There are always loose ends that just don't matter.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

What’s great about this movie? *Everything* One of the first archetypal film noir, Bogie embodying the hard boiled antihero (not to mention his breakthrough role), The directorial debut of the great John Huston, and great story almost verbatim from the book. Can’t Get Enough of this movie. This movie.

[@TheQuirkyCharacter]

I'd watch a dialogue about anything between retired Sam Spade and active police officer Harry Callahan. . .

[@alanwatson4249]

Great stuff as usual Josh. Bogart, Greenstreet, Lorre and Elisha Cook Jr. - what a shady bunch, I really like Greenstreet's suave and corrupt presence. Third favourite of Huston's films, behind 'Treasure of the Sierra Madre' and 'The Asphalt jungle'. What an influential and superb director Huston was. Apologies for giving directorial credit for 'Night Moves' to Pakula instead of Penn recently. Keep it up.

[@clumsydad7158]

Treasure my fav as well

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you very much.

[@jeffchannel-lf6df]

Something i noticed while watching last night was that Sam has a crocodiles grin that is playfully menacing. Could it be that it is an allusion to crocodile tears and used as a more masculine contrast to Joel Cairo?

[@fiona4228]

Fabulous review. Thank you!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you very much. glad to help.

[@kitkatzyy]

I haven't watched this in years. I think I need to in order to take it all in. There's a lot I missed/ don't remember from the first time.

[@ellenolenska9141]

Have you done analysis of Chinatown? Jake Gittes and Sam Spade kind of similar. Nicholson probably based Gittes at least in part on Spade.

[@ellenolenska9141]

Best Bogart performance is in Treasure of Sierra Madre. Though I love this movie. Love Joel Cairo.

[@richardpaz8803]

Yeah, it will definitely take a long time to move beyond it. It might be impossible.. It's such a powerhouse of influence and inspiration. The book is a great read. I enjoyed all of the things you highlighted. Huston was a master - still is! Thanks for the video. Always interesting - always plenty to glean.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you very much.

[@VonWenk]

What do you think is better about this version than the Roy Del Ruth version, and why does Bogart look like the character he played in The Petrified Forest in the poster?

[@janibeg3247]

the cast is fantastic

[@MaryDeanDotCom]

I guess it deserves credit if it was truly the first “noir“, but the plot was ridiculous, more of a screwball comedy than a mystery or thriller.

[@bonnerwf]

Seems like i have to watch this movie once every year .

[@leonardvicari2857]

I saw it for the first time in 2024 a great complex movie I love this movie

[@richardpaz8803]

Have a great Thanksgiving!

[@toddheffner9746]

Thank you for the insightful review; a great film which tirelessly whisks us away down quite a labyrinthine avenue of intrigue, greed, and ultimately cosmic irony. Personally, I'm struck by the film's effortless ability to strike a such a distinct contrast between rapid-fire storytelling and more deeply felt, lingering themes. Without wishing to give anything away, I'll simply comment that the final ironic frames of the film left me pondering a single over-arching question: wherein lies the thrill of pursuit, in the final acquisition or in the act of the hunt itself? Certainly a noir masterwork.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome. appreciate your comment.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

prefer the Big Sleep and Hawks direction over Huston''s

[@ellenolenska9141]

It’s Mary Astor as Bridget O’Shaughnessy. Mary Astor is the femme fatale love interest.

[@clumsydad7158]

good choice, i saw this movie first time late-night on pbs ... i should watch again but i'm not a huge noir or bogart fan

[@SternCC1]

After this movie, overweight people could never be trusted again. His performance oozes of greed and mistrust. He is well bred, articulate and evil. There is a long Tracking shot where the fat man is explaining to Bogey about the importance of the Falcon, while trying to keep him off guard, until he can succeed in poisoning him. It is one of the greatest tracking shots in the history of cinema and flows effortlessly until its suspenseful conclusion. All of this results in creating a great crime adventure featuring interesting people. Huston started his career with a bang and while making many fine films in his long career, would never reach the near perfection he attained with the great movie.

[@delboytrotter2042]

Nobody knows how a movie will end up but can you imagine being Raft and turning this down? I guess Raft still had a great career and has made his mark people remember but to pass on this? Who knows..if he had taken it maybe today it'd just be a good movie somebody made way back instead of the top of the pile.. Seeing how if Bogey wasn't in it just would change history so much that it could come out any shape. Anyway.. Thx for the great video and take on it.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you

[@skyden24195]

I am a wholehearted fan of Humprey Bogart films, unfortunately "The Maltese Falcon" is one that I've only been able to watch once thus-far since seeing my first Bogey film around the turn of the millennium, that film being "Key Largo." I do hope to acquire the classic John Huston directed film (Maltese Falcon) to add to my current collection of Bogey films which at present consist of "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," "Dark Passage," "Casablanca" "They Drive by Night," "Action in The North Atlantic," "Across the Pacific," and "Passage to Marisella." As well, I have seen "The African Queen," "The Big Sleep" and of course the afore mentioned "The Maltese Falcon" and "Key Largo." Good video about "The Maltese Falcon," here. I'll definitely hit the sub and check out other of this channel's videos.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you very much.

[@richardcutts196]

Seems to have had an affair with Archer's wife? It was obvious they had, and were still having, an affair. Sam wasn't bothered by Archer getting killed because in one fell swoop Sam got the business and, if he still wanted her, the woman.

[@dflf]

Houston directed the movie almost verbatim from the book

[@miketully9905]

I still to this day see one very real flaw in the film. And that's that for the first "thousand" times I watched it, I could simply never figure out why Sam Spade kept putting up with O'Shaughnessy 's lies and treating him like sh!t. I kept wondering why he never got fed up, slapped her across the cheek, and gave her a root in the behind as she went out the door. But then it finally struck me. Spade was completely infatuated with her beauty. He was being led around by the nose following the "little guy" in his pants. And the reason I think it took me SO long to realize that is that (not to be rude, but hey, it is what it is), Mary Astor, as great an actress as she was, wasn't anywhere NEAR beautiful enough to make what was going on between Spade & O'Shaughnessy obvious, and I'm of the opinion that it really did need to be OBVIOUS to really work. Now as for who would have been a better choice for he part? I have no idea. I'm no expert on which incredibly beautiful actresses were around at that time. Perhaps some of you who are more familiar with that could make a few suggestions as to who would have been a striking enough beauty to HAVE made it obvious.

[@WGreen-Author]

The book is tight. The movie is tighter. The viewer must watch closely and fill in the blanks. Everyone lies except Effie.

[@C_Jj_G]

I enjoy the wise blood style huston over the Maltese falcon style

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Later JH is quite interesting as well.

[@C_Jj_G]

@@LearningaboutMovies have you done a JH episode on great directors ? Edit- I can look for myself my apologies. Thanks again for your fine work

[@clumsydad7158]

i didn't know there was a wise blood movie,,, sounds damn interesting

[@C_Jj_G]

@@clumsydad7158 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5axmImdltqbldE

[@clumsydad7158]

@@C_Jj_G wow, thanks bruh ! ... was just watching The Best Years of Their Lives on youtube the other day, great quality, luv that movie ... any other freebie tips? ty

[@davidbrumbaugh7809]

Except for but scene, the movie is honest to the novel.

[@SchawjibbWanders]

The movie was harder to follow…the dialogue tempo was too much. Plenty of elements throughout the movie for mystery and thrill.

[@leoinsf]

Great film noir, but Humphrey Bogart and co-stars make the movie great! Of course John Huston, director made this movie "better than noir"! Mary Astor's character is baffling: so approachable, but completely unknowable. I think the Maltese Falcon statuette is symbolic of Mary Astor, herself!

[@rlathbury]

Mary Astor, not Gladys George, plays Miss Wonderly. Josh Matthews seems hesitant to state that Spade and Mrs. Archer are having an affair-as the image on the screen shows them in a passionate kiss! Come on!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

the hesitance is your hallucination.

[@rlathbury]

The words in the clip at 3:00 are "He might have even-I think this is likely-been having an affair with Archer's wife..." This is not my hallucination. Those words express hesitation. Why does the account call Miss Wonderly "Ruth""? Hammett and the movie begins by deliberately withholding her first name. Doing so emphasizes the progression from Wonderly to Leblanc to O'Shuaghnessy. The first impression dazzles, then fades to a blank, and eventually, as intimacy develops between Spade and Brigid, reveals the actual name. The video makes some good points about the movie, and it is well intentioned. However, it is careless in some of its details, and "The Maltese Falcon" is a story that depends on particulars.

[@nicklatino7157]

I feel like this movie is so old and boring, especially by today's standards, that it is difficult to follow. I had to watch it for school though.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

just wait until contemporary movies become old and boring. it won't take long.

[@nigelwaters7864]

Most of them have already reached the boring stage the moment they are released

[@Music--ng8cd]

It's boring but it's too advanced for you to follow. Maybe take some fish oil or salmon

[@philarmstrong3765]

Hope you're not going into film, you won't make it.

[@doghouse100148]

Definitely my favourite film . 👉👍👈🫶because you only skimmed the surface, beautifully I may add.

[@richardpaz8803]

Have a great Thanksgiving!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you too (two days late!).