The Maltese Falcon
“The Maltese Falcon” is not unlike most film noir movies created during the classic era. Like all film noir classics, it is filled with subtle sexual innuendos and connotations. It is clear that this movie would not be so sexual had it not been for the characters, all of which exude sexuality in one way or another. It starts with Sam Spade, played by the famous Humphrey Bogart. Now, even before he starred in this movie, Bogart was known for his suave, mysterious and sexy personality. Everywhere he went, in any movie he was in, Bogart walked around with a swagger. He carried himself like he knew he was a heartthrob. “The Maltese Falcon” was no exception. In this movie, he plays the good looking detective Sam Spade.
Spade is in his office, smoking his cigarette and looking ever so suave, when Ruth Wonderly bursts in. Enter the distraught woman desperately looking for a strong, suave -looking man to come to her rescue. Wonderly bursts into Detective Spade’ s office, claiming that she needs help because she is seeking to find out where her lost sister is. Later on we find out that Wonderly is actually named Brigid O’Shaughnessy. Up until then, O’Shaughnessy has been playing the poor detective Spade. Even before the rest of the action occurs, we can tell that there is something going on between O’Shaughnessy and Spade. Perhaps it is sexual chemistry? Throughout the film, we watch as O’Shaughnessy uses her sex appeal to make Spade do as she pleases. She brings him on a roller coaster of a journey just so she can get to where she needs to be. Spade is dragged around like a puppy, thinking that he has got an actual shot with her. However, he just does not know that she is luring him into her trap. O’Shaughnessy throws herself on him and begs him to help her. She gives him that innocent puppy dog look and conveniently falls on him whenever she feels “weak”. Knowing that Spade will help her at all costs, O’Shaughnessy uses her deceiving beauty and sex appeal to control Spade. Throughout the film, we can see just how integral sexuality is in the plot of this film.
While heterosexuality is clearly present in this movie, one thing that may not be as obvious is the presence of homosexuality. On many occasions, director John Huston makes sure that his sexual innuendos are subtle, yet very powerful. Often times, Huston will drop sexual connotations in the conversations. He will even make sure that the gestures that some of his characters act out, hint at homosexuality. For example, in the Maltese Falcon, Joel Cairo, played by Peter Lorre, plays a very effeminate man who has a lot of characteristics, normally attributed to gay men, especially in that era. Cairo has crimped hair, he always carries a handkerchief that smells like gardenia flowers and he is a very meticulous and dainty dresser. Furthermore, he has a rather soft and gentle voice and very delicate features. To top it all off, Cairo constantly carries a phallic cane that resembles a certain intimate part of a man, a penis. Many times in this movie, Cairo plays around with the cane, often rubbing it on his face and close to his mouth. Although this may not be an obvious homosexual connotation in a film noir movie, it is definitely one of the biggest and most deliberate.
Although not necessarily acted out in the movie, in the novel “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett, often times Detective Sam Spade refers to Wilmer Cook as “gunsel”. “In Yiddish slang, “gunsel” means young gay thug. This confirms the idea that Wilmer Cook is another gay character in the story.
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
When first watching the movie, the homosexuality connotations may not seem that obvious, however once you watch the movie a second time, after reading this, you will start to see where Huston dropped some hints.
