The Maltese Falcon on screen

Three early screen versions show how the same detective novel moved from pre-Code crime drama through loose comedy and into film noir.

This map covers the versions currently supported by PlotGeeks, rather than every adaptation ever made.

1. Source book | 1929The Maltese Falcon
2. 1931 | Feature filmThe Maltese FalconAdapted from | Roy Del Ruth

   The first film is a direct pre-Code treatment with a lighter and more openly sexual tone.

3. 1936 | Feature filmSatan Met a LadyInspired by | William Dieterle

   Names, tone, and the sought object change in a loose comic reworking of the novel.

4. 1941 | Feature filmThe Maltese FalconRemake of | John Huston

   The 1941 film stays close to Hammett's dialogue and plot while defining a harder noir tone.