POMONA - In years past, the Pomona Big Read has centered on literary works in which readers explored periods in the nation's history, read coming-of-age novels and traveled to dark places in the future through science fiction. The fifth Pomona Big Read will take readers into the noir genre through Dashiell Hammett's classic mystery novel, "The Maltese Falcon.
It has been called the greatest private-detective novel. While that sounds like hyperbole, few mysteries have rivaled Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon" since it was published 78 years ago. With its flawed hero, interesting (and unusual) villains and intricate plot, "The Maltese Falcon" set up a template that still endures in the private-detective genre.
POMONA - In years past the Pomona Big Read has centered on literary works in which readers explored periods in the nation's history, read coming of age novels and traveled to dark places in the future through science fiction. The fifth Pomona Big Read will take readers into the noir genre through Dashiell Hammett's classic mystery novel, "The Maltese Falcon.
By Bill Blankenship THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
SAN FRANCISCO The black bird came back home to San Francisco this week, looking like the stuff that dreams are made of. Actually, it looked even dreamier than that. It looked good enough to get stolen again, which is what always happens to the Maltese Falcon. Getting stolen is the only thing the Maltese Falcon is truly good at.
. John Huston's 1941 directorial debut is an adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's popular detective novel. Huston wrote the screenplay, and adhered to the novel's hardboiled (and frequently funny) dialogue and convoluted plot of endless double-crosses.
In 1999, the American Film Institute recognized Humphrey Bogart as its top male American screen legend. Bogart's best movies -- "The Maltese Falcon," "The African Queen" and, especially, "Casablanca" -- are revered by fans, actors and critics. More than 50 years after his death, Bogart remains a cultural icon. Not bad for a guy who didn't truly emerge as a star until he was 40. Before his breakthrough role in the film "High Sierra," Bogart usually didn't make it to a movie's final scene.
OPENING THIS WEEK (1.5 CHILES) THE BIG LEBOWSKI The Coen brothers' 1998 comedy about a bowling-loving burnout (Jeff Bridges) and his case of mistaken identity has grown into the biggest cult movie of the last 15 years. It's so beloved that it's even spawned Lebowski Fests, where fans dress as the characters, go bowling, quote the film, and drink White Russians. But as with any cult movie, there are people who find Lebowski insufferable -- and I'm one of them. Where others see the existential absurdity of Waiting for Godot or The Maltese Falcon, I see excruciating tedium. Where others find laughs, I find grating self-indulgence. Still, I'll admit that the soundtrack is aces, the dream sequences are delightful, and Bridges' central performance as The Dude is certainly iconic, if only occa...
The 1941 Humphrey Bogart film will be shown, 2 p.m. today, 5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood. 818-766-7185. Book club meets
The director of such classic films as "The Maltese Falcon," "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" and "The African Queen," John Huston "defied convention and seemed to stride through life doing exactly as he pleased, indifferent to contracts and money, unencumbered by wives and children," according to his latest biographer, Jeffrey Meyers. Unencumbered but not unattached. A prolific filmmaker (37 features in 46 years) who fathered three children (including the actors Danny and Anjelica) and adopted two more, Huston was an even more prodigious womanizer. In addition to five wives, Meyers writes, Huston's countless lovers included "leading ladies and bit players," "household help," "Slavs and Magyars" and "Irish equestrians and Japanese strippers," to name a few.
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