[4]

This second retelling of The Maltese Falcon (before John Huston proved the the third time was the charm) is a bizarre pseudo-comedy with an ingratiating performance by Warren William in the role Humphrey Bogart would later immortalize. Warren got under my skin — I hated him. Bette Davis was all right, but the real standout performance was Arthur Treacher as the tall Englishman, Travers. His sardonic humor and physical timing make him easily the most fun cast member to watch. I love director William Dieterle’s later The Devil and Daniel Webster, but I didn’t see any of that film’s rich style or aesthetics in this movie.