This is a classic Bogey vehicle, with Mary Astor as the love interest. Maybe in her day, Mary Astor was considered a hottie, but I personally think she detracts somewhat from the smoky sexual intrigue thread of the plot. Based loosely on the fabled Crusades history of the Order of the Knights Hospitaler of Malta, a fabulous jewel-encrusted bird was supposed to have been sent by the Knights as a tribute to Spain's then-King Phillip. The Falcon is, of course, stolen, and an unending search by desperate people carries on through the centuries. Fast-forward... With the unannounced arrival of a sea captain -- laced with .45 bullet holes -- at his door, clutching the prize in brown wrapping paper, our hero, Sam Spade, is drawn into the international web of murder and deceit which has long surrounded the fabled Falcon. A wonderful cast of characters (Astor, Peter Laurie, Elisha Cook, Sydney Greenstreet, and even good old Ward Bond of TV's Wagon Train fame) give fine performances. The storyline takes plenty of twists; the acting is great; and that Falcon finally ends up...? (sorry... I ain't gonna spill the beans).