The Maltese Falcon

1941, USA, John Huston, 100 min.

With Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet

Introduced by fashion historian and Parsons professor Francesca Granata

“I won’t, because all of me wants to regardless of consequences”¦”

Detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) wants to find out why a series of high-living lowlifes want a sculpture of a falcon. This crackling mystery masterwork was written for the screen (from Dashiell Hammett’s novel) and directed by John Huston, successfully launching his career.

“Much of the quality of the picture lies in its excellent revelation of character. Mr. Bogart is a shrewd, tough detective with a mind that cuts like a blade, a temperament that sometimes betrays him, and a code of morals which is coolly cynical.” —Bosley Crowther, The New York Times (1941)