As of week before last, I'd never read the book nor seen the film. Finished the book a couple of days ago. Just watched the movie.
Humphrey Bogart doesn't look a darned thing like Dashiell Hammett's[1] character. It doesn't matter; he plays the part with verve and conviction. The film is a strikingly faithful adaptation of the book; the only major omissions are mandated by the Hays Code; one helps the plot along (IMO) and another is famously subverted with disconcerting glee by Peter Lorre.[2]
It's a bizarrely-convoluted story, more thriller than conventional mystery, and more fun than noir generally is. Recommended, and even more enjoyable if you read the book.
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1. Of course, Hammett may not be quite the fellow you thought he was, either -- but he sure could write.
2. Lorre's apophasis-by-mime and his portrayal of a reasonably competent criminal -- Spade appears to take Joel Cairo more seriously than he does the well-armed gunsel Wilmer -- is quite impressive.
BUILDING A 1:1 BALUN
4 years ago
12 comments:
Seen To Have and Have Not?
BE SURE TO SEE :
"ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC"
WARNER BROTHERS 1943 BOGEY AND HALF THE STOCK COMPANY OF WB SEE IT IN THE ORIGINAL BEAUTIFUL BLACK AND WHITE THE COLORIZED VERSION IS ALL WRONG HISTORICALLY (THANKS TED TURNER) IT WAS THE ONLY MAJOR WARTIME MOTION PICTURE HOLLYWOOD PRODUCED ABOUT THE US MERCHANT MARINE IN WW II AND BASICALLY IT TOLD THE STORY TO THE PUBLIC OF THE MERCHANT MARINE'S WAR AT SEA INSOFAR AS THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALLOW
THOUGH FICTIONALIZED IS RATHER HEAVILY BASED ON FACT FYI THE FILM IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE BOOK
THE FILM IS STILL USED AS PART OF ORIENTATION AT THE US MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY 70 YEARS AFTER THE BATTLE BE SURE TO LOOK FOR THE FINALE
" Hammett may not be quite the fellow you thought he was, either -- but he sure could write."
Agree with his politics or not (and I certainly don't), you do have to give a certain respect to a guy who - after seeing the horrors of war and coming out of it with a permanent disability - steps right up to do it again without hesitation when his country is attacked.
The 1931 version (pre-Hays) plays from time to time on TCM. It'w worth watching.
... the stuff that dreams are made of ...
Excellent story. Most of Hammett's stuff is very readable. Easy segue then to Phillip Marlowe, Ross MacDonald ... to Rex Stout (Nero Wolfe) and even to John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee) ... and a lot of misplaced afternoons ... ;)
I guess I come at it backwards: The Trais McGoo books were just about the first contemporary mysteries I read.
The first two Thin Msn movies are also his - the repartee is wonderful! But after those, someone else did the writing and they're terrible.
s/Msm/Man/
Just?
Saw?
It?
Pardon the bemused look. I know there must have been a time I was unaware of The Maltese Falcon. Just can't recall.
So glad you've found it.
Agree Lorre is far more dangerous than Wilmer.
Dammit, what's a "Trais McGoo?" Travis McGee!
Also, I *knew* about the Maltese Falcon, I just never got around to watching the film or reading the book until now.
trivia -
Now, I only found out about "gunsel" a short while ago (no, it does/did not mean gunslinger which is what I had thought from only seeing the movie} and wonder how it got through the Hays office. Glad to have learned, it makes sense. Mildly irritating to again find there is no limit to my ignorance.
The Maltese Falcon is a great flick; there is a cringe-worthy scene, however.
Sam Spade checks the chambers on his revolver ( a Colt Dick Special, I believe) and wrist-snaps the cylinder shut.
This is firearms abuse, and every revolver shooter should be aware that such an action risks bending the crane.
I cannot tell you how many people over the years I have corrected from this dastardly act who have told me they saw Humphrey Bogart do it in the Maltese Falcon.
As I said, its a great flick-just dont follow the weapons-handling.
Regards
GKT
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