Bird Watch

Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon has not only been cited as one of the greatest films of all time, but it’s also considered one of the first major works of film noir and the movie that made Humphrey Bogart a star. With its dark shadows, it doesn’t exactly fit the mold of the Esquire’s Midnight Madness series, but it’s an excellent choice, regardless.

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More About

• The Maltese Falcon
• Humphrey Bogart
• Sam Spade
• Dashiell Hammett
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

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Directed by John Huston and starring Bogart as private investigator Sam Spade, at its core The Maltese Falcon is a story about a missing bird statue, but, as with all good mysteries, that’s just scratching the surface. Digging deeper into the plot reveals more than a few double crossings, murders and spilled drinks. As bodies and lies start piling up, Spade needs to pin the whole thing on somebody, which means he needs to figure out why so many people are looking for the falcon to begin with. It’s dark, gritty, and a perfect example of how to do a mystery.

The Maltese Falcon screens tonight and tomorrow at midnight at the Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing Street; tickets are $7.25. For more information, visit www.landmarktheatres.com or call 303-352-1992.
Fri., July 1, 11:59 p.m.; Sat., July 2, 11:59 p.m., 2011