The Maltese Falcon (1941)

·51 min·5 clips

Hosts Alan and James reveal their 2024 box office predictions, including a major miss on the year's biggest hit.

The episode opens with hosts Alan Noah and James Brief engaging in their yearly tradition of box office predictions. They review their 2024 picks, noting they correctly predicted Deadpool and Wolverine but missed Inside Out 2 as the top film. They discuss flops like Madame Web and successes like Twisters. For 2025, James predicts Wicked: For Good, Superman, and Avatar: Fire and Ash as top contenders, while Alan chooses Wicked: For Good, Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Avatar: Fire and Ash. They debate flops like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Snow White. The conversation shifts to The Maltese Falcon, with Alan summarizing the plot involving detective Sam Spade, a femme fatale named Bridget O'Shaughnessy, and a hunt for a jeweled statuette. James provides historical context, noting the film's 1941 release, budget of $375,000, and box office success. He explains it was the third adaptation of the novel, with earlier versions in 1931 and 1936 being less successful. James emphasizes the film's influence as the first film noir and introduction of the femme fatale trope. Alan shares his first-time viewing experience, expecting a heroic protagonist but finding Sam Spade morally ambiguous. They discuss supporting characters like Joel Cairo and Casper Gutman, with James noting Peter Lorre's performance and Sidney Greenstreet's debut. Alan critiques the plot as confusing and hard to follow, particularly with off-screen characters like Floyd Thursby. James reveals trivia about the Hays Code limiting explicit content, including hints at Cairo's homosexuality. They analyze the film's stage-play feel and seven-minute oner scene. Alan expresses disappointment in the mystery's resolution and Sam Spade's sudden moral stance. James appreciates the film's cultural impact but acknowledges its dated dialogue. Alan concludes it doesn't stand the test of time due to narrative flaws, while James finds it enjoyable for film aficionados. The episode ends with a preview of next week's review of The Hustler.

As heard by us

A lively look at Sam Spade's slippery morality and The Maltese Falcon's lasting reputation.

The Test of Time starts by checking how James Brief and Alan Noah fared with their 2024 box-office predictions, then moves through The Maltese Falcon and their 2025 picks.

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You want to see whether 1941's The Maltese Falcon still stands the test of time?

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