Red Harvest (1929) - lots of violence, lots of wisecracks, lots of tough talk. Not much characterization or believability. I had a hard caring about any of characters, no one seemed likable or real. Rating - **
The Thin Man (1934) - A much better movie than a novel. Hammett invented Nick and Nora but William Powell and Myrna Loy made them Pop Culture Icons. Anyone expecting a souffle of tuxedo's, champagne, wisecracks, and a little murder mystery will be disappointed. The novel is much darker, duller, and slower paced. Seeing the movies first no doubt spoiled the novel to a certain extent but I'm still disappointed.Rating - **1/2
The Maltese Falcon (1930) - Without a doubt not only Hammett's best novel, but one of the best detective novels of all time. Hammett takes his great style and adds 4 distinct memorable characters and a very interesting story. Rating - ****
Saturday, March 23, 2013
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