June 1931: Warner Bros. releases “The Maltese Falcon,” starring Ricardo Cortez and Bebe Daniels. Although the film is little more than an obscure curiosity today, it made a deep impression at the time. Reviewing the now-famous 1941 remake, The Times’ Philip K. Scheuer said the 1931 version “pales into insignificance.”
I just watched this again tonight! It’s an extremely interesting precode, one that shouldn’t be compared to the 1941 version very much. No more than the 1950s Phantom of the Opera should be compared with Chaney’s version. Same story, two completely different movies.
I just watched this again tonight! It’s an extremely interesting precode, one that shouldn’t be compared to the 1941 version very much. No more than the 1950s Phantom of the Opera should be compared with Chaney’s version. Same story, two completely different movies.
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Let us not forget the 1936 remake of a sort, “Satan Met A Lady,” with Warren William and Bette Davis.
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