The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Cinematic masterpiece stars screen-legend Humphrey Bogart ("Casablanca," "The African Queen") as private detective Sam Spade, a no-nonsense loner whose partner is killed while pursuing a case. As Spade seeks out the killer, he becomes entangled in a sinister plot to locate a priceless 16th century statuette, known as the Maltese Falcon. Based on best-selling crime author Dashiel Hammet's novel, it was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Screenplay. Recently selected as one of the top 25 American films of all time by the prestigious American Film Institute. Bogart is joined by Oscar-winner Mary Astor ("Little Women," "The Great Lie"), Peter Lorre ("Casablanca"), Sydney Greenstreet ("Casablanca"), and Elisha Cook, Jr. ("The Big Sleep"). Greenstreet received an Oscar-nomination for his portrayal of "the Fat Man." Written and directed by Academy Award-winner John Huston ("The African Queen," "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre").