Silver Screen Icons: Murder Mysteries

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

One of the finest detective films ever, John Huston's directorial debut stars Humphrey Bogart as San Francisco private eye Sam Spade. Spade takes on mysterious femme fatale Miss Wonderly (Mary Astor) as a client and soon finds himself suspected of murdering his partner and up to his trench coat in the search for the titular jewel-encrusted statue. With Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet (in his film debut), Elisha Cook, Jr. 100 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)

The original Hollywood version of James M. Cain's steamy tale of love, deception, and murder stars John Garfield as a drifter who finds work in a roadside cafe and romance in the arms of sultry Lana Turner, the boss's wife with a lethal plan for them to be together. With Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, and Leon Ames; directed by Tay Garnett. 113 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Big Sleep (1946)

Raymond Chandler's witty and convoluted whodunit comes to life under director Howard Hawks. Humphrey Bogart is private eye Philip Marlowe, investigating a wealthy family's dark secrets, and Lauren Bacall is the sharp-tongued rich girl ensnared with him in a murderous web of deceit, blackmail, and murder. With Martha Vickers, John Ridgely, Elisha Cook, Jr., Dorothy Malone. 1946 theatrical version; 114 min./1945 pre-release version; 116 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Dial M For Murder (1954)

Elaborate Hitchcock thriller, adapted by Frederick Knott from his stage play, with Ray Milland as a tennis pro who plots to commit the "perfect" crime: the murder of his unfaithful wife (Grace Kelly). But Kelly defends herself against the man sent to do her in, killing him instead. Now, with his plan slowly beginning to unravel, Milland is forced to do some quick thinking. With Robert Cummings, John Williams. Not in 3D. 105 min. C/Rtg: PG

Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.