The end of the second week for the A to Z Challenge. Head on over to see what the other people wrote about.
MALTESE FALCON-1941
DIRECTOR: John Huston
STARS: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet
OSCAR NOMS: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Writing
OSCAR WINS: Nil
PLOT: When his partner is killed, Sam Spade takes on the femme Fatale's case and winds up width a cast of unsavoury characters all searching for an ugly black bird statue
LOVE: I just love the writing...so witty and devilish
TRIVIA: It's considered the first Film Noir. The actual Maltese Falcon, I believe there are 3 of them, and Steven Spielberg owns one, is worth $1 million each. Sydney Greenstreet's film debut and he and Peter Lorre made 9 films together...great team actually.
MARY ASTOR- May 3, 1906- September 25, 1987
OCCUPATION: Actress, Novelist
OSCAR NOMS: See Below
OSCAR WINS: The Great Lie
ANECDOTE: She was quite the wild thing! She had many affairs from John Barrymore to John Huston( when making the above film) . In the mid 30's during a nasty custody battle, her diary was stolen and leaked to the press by her ex's lawyer. Let's just say it was pretty explicit about her sexual antics. Today it would be a viral video...some things never change. Actually, due to her reputation is one reason why she was given the role in The Maltese Falcon.
Haven't seen the Maltese Falcon since I was a teenager. And I enjoyed the movie The Great Lie which I saw around the same time. Did not know the dirt on Mary Astor.
ReplyDeleteThe Dirt is a pretty good word to use:)
DeleteOne of my favourite Sunday afternoon films Birgit.....been watching lots as I have been poorly hope you have a good easter xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon. I have been crippled up and today, a sore throat...ichhh. I hope to see this film again soon.
DeleteJust common place today with youtube and such. Probably get her own reality show. million bucks? Maybe I have one in the garage..nope.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing like that in my garage either but doubt anyone would want to see or read this
DeleteYou just never know about those novelists:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Birgit.
Well, one thing's for sure...she must have been inventive
DeleteI saw the film on TV in recent years, not sure if I had seen it before, and remember being underwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteOh wow...love this flick
DeleteGood one. Of course, Bogart, Greenstreet, and Lorre are all in Casablanca.
ReplyDeleteThey did another movie together as well....need to look it up but I know I saw it
DeleteI'd heard so much about this film that when I finally got to see it years ago, I was disappointed. Hopefully, someday I'll see it again and appreciate it more.
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem with films or great works of art. It's better to just not read up as much about it.
DeleteGreat film and book.
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteI remember reading that story about Mary Astor's diary in the book 'Hollywood Babylon'. The Maltese Falcon is a real gem. I wouldn't mind watching it again, now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one for that book because I found some errors in that book but it does take in the racy bits. I want to rewatch it too.
DeleteThis was a good one! I didn't know that about M. Astor. I think the studios had moral clauses in their contracts back then, and did a lot of damage control with the antics that the actors of that era got up to. Love these golden oldies. TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteYes, that wonderful Morals clause which didn't seem to hurt Mary Astor too much
DeleteShe doesn't seem the type but then again most of them don't
ReplyDeleteIt's the quiet ones who don't look trampy that one has to watxh
DeleteIt's been a while, but I remember enjoying the snappy dialogue.
ReplyDeleteThe dialogue is great!
DeleteGreat film, and simply amazing because the last like 1/3 is one long continuous shot. Either the most brilliantly or cheaply shot scene ever!
ReplyDeleteProbably both!
DeleteMore interesting tidbits. I've seen this film but long ago. Perhaps I need to revisit it!
ReplyDeleteHope you do...I plan to.
DeleteOne of my favorite movies! Here's another little trivia tidbit: John's Grill is a restaurant in San Francisco made famous by Dashiell Hammet's novel. Someone snatched the replica of the falcon that used to look out of the second story window of that restaurant. I think it has since been replaced. I should go and see. Here's to M and N and all the rest.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool and if that was an original Falcon from the movie, then the robbers made off with a gem
DeleteAnother film I haven't seen... or can't recall seeing! I saw a lot when I was young on Saturday afternoons with my brother while my parents were working. It was how they kept us out of mischief! Not this one, I suspect though!
ReplyDelete~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
I miss the Movies for a Sunday Afternoon...great movies shown
Delete“When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it!”
ReplyDelete~ Sam Spade
Terrific choice for letter "M", BIRGIT! Another good choice would have been the movie "M". But I prefer 'THE MALTESE FALCON'. As you know, I had it at #10 on my list of 'Top Twelve Film Noir'. (That would have changed, of course, had I counted 'CASABLANCA' as Film Noir -- which it truly is, but I cheated to get an extra movie on my list.
I had never really thought about and realized that 'THE MALTESE FALCON' was the first Film Noir, but it surely seems to be the case. I can't think of anything that came earlier that would match the requirements (Venetian blind shadows and all:o)
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Yes, the blind shadows seem to be a big hint for this genre. I do love your picks and need to see more
DeleteThat's a terrible story about Mary Astor. Why are some exes so awful? It's like with those exes that publish photos of their exes online. You know, the kind of pictures no one wants public. I feel sorry for her.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree with you because her diary was stolen and given to the lawyer which means that lawyer paid someone to grab this diary.
DeleteI don't know why I've never seen The Maltese Falcon - such a famous film that I've somehow never had the opportunity to see!
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
We all have films that are famous but have not seen yet.
DeleteI've never met a Bogie film I didn't like. This is an excellent one. Lorre and Greenstreet are very good as well. Last time I saw this was sometime last year.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out: It's About Time
It is excellent and I need to revisit it!
DeleteA movie and perhaps a book I need to read
ReplyDeleteHaven't read the book but need to revisit the film
DeleteI read the book, but never saw the movie. I've heard it was a stunner and I would love the long shot of nearly 7 minutes without a break. If it's anything like the book, I am sure it was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the book but know the film is excellent
DeleteIt has been years (many years) since I saw the movie - never read the book. I should go on a classic movie marathon one year. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love doing those marathons
DeleteBirgit, We've seen Maltese Falcon a few times. The first time was on cable at my in-laws and then we bought it on DVD. Humphrey Bogart was a fabulous actor. It's funny even when he was young he seemed old. Don't you think? Anyhow, Mary Astor's diary scandal is the very reason why I can't cut loose to writing away in my own personal journal for fear it will fall in the wrong hands. Granted, I don't have a life as exciting or wild as Mary's but still I don't feel comfortable divulging private stuff in my private journal. Yeah, I'm totally paranoid. :) Thanks for stopping by Saturday for Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “M” (Mermaids). I'm running a bit behind. Have a good week and happy a2zing!
ReplyDeleteThe movie is excellent but as for writing in a journal...I have and no one cares right now. If someone reads it after I'm dead...that's ok by me
DeleteI'm going to look for the book. Maybe something to recoop with.
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree with this and hope you can find it
DeleteHi Birgit - for some reason your blog hasn't been in my Feedly - now it is ... so I'll catch up in due course. Fascinating little extras you've slipped in re the film and its actors ... Mary certainly sounds racy - unfair about her diary ... cheers and see you more now - Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/o-is-for-orkney-islands-adapted-breeds.html
Do not recall seeing this film but interesting it was the first film noir. So many are classics now. Mary Astor's unhappy love life (assuming it was) prepared her for the role.
ReplyDeleteHey, this goes very well with my challenge ;-)
ReplyDeleteLoved to know the little tidbits. I watched this film the first time while researching my challenge and absolutely loved it.
First time I've ever seen Bogart on screen. Quite impressive.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir
Hey, this goes very well with my challenge ;-)
ReplyDeleteLoved to know the little tidbits. I watched this film the first time while researching my challenge and absolutely loved it.
First time I've ever seen Bogart on screen. Quite impressive.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir