I rewatched
The Maltese Falcon after my discussion with Sandy earlier this month. It continues to rise in my Top 100, currently holding #86 and passing Double Indemnity. One of my favorite ensembles, especially now that I'm letting Mary Astor grow on me. She's a fine actress but looks more like my aunt then a femme fatale. I never believe her when she says she's been bad.
Even though I watch it about twice a year since buying the Blu-Ray, I keep forgetting that it opens with two murders, not just Spade's partner. I also forget how much Ward Bond is in it. The dynamic between him, Bogart and Barton MacLane is amazing. Favorite moment this time: Peter Lorre in the hotel, "I certainly wish you would have invented a more reasonable story. I felt distinctly like an idiot repeating it."
My one reluctance is in the ending. It's an audacious move to have the last scene play for 25 minutes. Even though there's a lot going on and the great cast is all in there, every time they gather I think "oh boy, here we go" not with excitement but with a need to mentally pace myself. For all the maneuvering around, it's a long time stuck in one place.
Afterwards my wife and I discovered
this. It's the Christmas gift dreams are made of.