The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Rendered a timeless classic, The Maltese Falcon is a testament to the brilliance and visionary beauty audiences came to admire about director John Huston during the 20th century. Huston went on to produce several other acclaimed films such as The Asphalt Jungle (1950), The African Queen (1951) and Moulin Rouge (1952), but it was his directorial debut, The Maltese Falcon that went above and beyond people's expectations, and without a doubt paved the way for Huston's directorial genius.

Humphrey Bogart dons his signature fedora and trench coat as Sam Spade, the stealthy detective with a kind of swag about him that young audiences of the 21st century can really appreciate. He and his partner Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan, Miracle on 34^th Street) are approached by the duplicitous Miss Ruth Wonderly (Mary Astor, The Great Lie) who claims to be in search of her missing sister. Archer volunteers to follow her that night and help get her sister back. Soon after people start to ask about a statue called, The Maltese Falcon. Little does Sam Spade know that this little bird is where the real trouble lies.

Often times, younger generations see the antiquated quality of a film as its downfall, but with The Maltese Falcon, this aspect is definitely one of the film's attributes. It is Huston's background as an avid painter that leads him to direct such a vivid and intense canvas of a film, that is full of emotion, unpredictable action, and great character development that is often times overlooked in Hollywood today. There is a certain intimate feel about this movie that many of today's directors should admire and take note of.

Of course, all the credit shouldn't be given solely to the director. All the actors brought their A-game while making this movie. First, we have Humphrey Bogart, who pulls out of Sam Spade a kind of swag that young viewers of today would be in awe of. Then, we have Mary Astor who, despite her character of Miss Wonderly being overtly sexualized, plays the part with such passion that one can't help but wonder if Miss Wonderly dons the role of femme fatale only to cater to Sam Spade's weaknesses. If that's the case, you've got to admire the girl.

This film is a rare treat. There's no doubt about that. Its humor, suspense, romance and thrills will ignite a spark in any movie-goer. Take a chance with The Maltese Falcon. With all of the predictable movies that are out in theaters now,why debate whether to watch some of Hollywood's greatest at their finest hour?