The Maltese Falcon (1931) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: The Maltese Falcon
Year: 1931
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Country: US
Language: English

To nobody's surprise, this 1931 film is not the most famous version of The Maltese Falcon. Made at the height of the wild pre-Code years, it was denied re-release in the more buttoned-down Breen era. Desiring to make more money off the story, Warner Brothers would remake this picture in 1941 starring Humphrey Bogart. That version would be considered the greatest adaptation of the tale, but that doesn't mean Roy Del Ruth's work is unappreciated. 

A lovely dame (Bebe Daniels) with dangerous lies employs the services of a private detective (Ricardo Cortez), who is quickly caught up in the mystery and intrigue of a statuette known as the Maltese Falcon. 

The novel contained a tremendous amount of interior monologue that would have been difficult to put onscreen. Thankfully the screenwriter, Maude Fulton, was able to capture the essence of the story. This would have also been difficult to direct but Roy Del Ruth proved to be quite a professional. The film starred two big names from the silents: Bebe Daniels and Ricardo Cortez.She was only 30 years old at the time, but Daniels was considered a film veteran. Cortez won the hearts of women world-wide and transitioned quite nicely into the talkies. Both of them put on a memorable performance in their respective roles. 

A rather juicy story, it's unfortunate that the film often derails from the plot and attempts to create sub-plots not present in the book. The original source material was pulpy masterpiece; suspenseful till the bitter end. This film can feel like it drags towards the middle, slows to a crawl, and picks up pace 20 or so minutes towards the end. Also it's reeks off Hollywood glitz and glamour, for a despression-era flick it doesn't entirely feel rotten to the core. John Huston's version is far better in that respect.

Maltese Falcon makes many changes to the source material, but no improvements. The ending is entirely too optimistic, the scenery is too glossy and the sub-plots are too off-putting. This version has many great moments and phenomenal acting, but it doesn't suffice as a definitive version.