Movie Club: The Maltese Falcon (1941)

With pick #31 on the Top 100, we step into the shadowy streets of San Francisco and the world of The Maltese Falcon. Often cited as the film that “invented” film noir, The Maltese Falcon more accurately solidified the genre, setting the template that countless noir films would follow.

Directed by John Huston and starring an unforgettable Humphrey Bogart as private detective Sam Spade, this 1941 classic crackles with sharp dialogue, moral ambiguity, and a gallery of characters who all want the same thing—for very different reasons. At the center is a jeweled statue, but the real treasure is the tension between greed, loyalty, and truth in a world where no one is entirely clean.

This film is lean, smart, funny, and ruthlessly efficient—every line counts, every glance matters. It’s also a fascinating snapshot of American cynicism on the brink of World War II, when certainty was scarce and survival required wit as much as strength.

Spend time with this iconic film, come and share what struck you, and let's explore why The Maltese Falcon still casts such a long shadow over modern storytelling.

✨ Watch ahead of time
✨ Come ready to discuss
✨ New faces always welcome

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Peace ❤️