The Maltese Falcon and Film Noir

The Maltese Falcon revolves around its namesake, a long-lost valuable bird statuette, and how three devious schemers plot to finally lay their hands on the bird. While researching the so-called disappearance of client Brigid O’Shaughnessy’s sister, private investigator Archer is shot. His partner, Spade, continues his research, when Thursby, the man suspected to be behind the disappearance of O’Shaughnessy’s sister, is also shot. Through dealings with various shady characters, Spade uncovers the mystery behind the murders: a long-lost black falcon statuette. He eventually discovers that O’Shaughnessy is not the innocent schoolgirl that she seems to be; rather, she was behind Archer’s murder in the hope that Thursby would be eliminated, and she would not have to split the proceeds from the falcon with him. O’Shaughnessy tries everything to ingratiate herself to Spade so he won’t turn her into the police when he discovers her schemes, but he is determined to reveal her, and she is taken into custody along with several other crooked men.

The Maltese Falcon emphasizes elements of film noir, which are crime dramas involving cynicism and mystery. Spade is the quintessential “hard-boiled” detective of film noir who has a characteristically tough attitude. He mocks Wilmer and plays on his low self-esteem, and recommends that he be framed as the perpetrator of all the crimes committed and turned in to the police. Additionally, Spade “plays” all the women in his life, and manipulates them all so he can attain his goals and fulfill his personal agenda. For example, he has several pet names for Effie, his secretary, and she is always running at his every beck and call, like when she delivers the falcon to Spade at an ungodly hour. He sleeps with Iva, the wife of his partner, Archer, but when Iva comes to him for help after Archer is shot, Spade ignores her and asks Effie to send flowers to the family as a way to brush off Iva. Last but not least, he “plays” O’Shaughnessy the most. He casually asks for her love, and manipulates her into thinking that he loves her, and so she reciprocates. But he is just after her looks; her schoolgirl, mysterious, untruthful character frustrates him. At the end, when O’Shaughnessy begs for mercy and reminds Spade of his love for her, he kisses her quickly, and turns her in to the police. Although Spade solves the mysteries, he is the ultimate manipulative, devious, hard-boiled detective.

Abigail Jaffe