I watched this expecting, given the budget limitations of B-picture series, to see only a few "establishing shots" of San Francisco from stock footage, but a surprising number of scenes appear actually to have been shot on location -- or were at least very convincingly matted. Even more impressive is the film's rather successful grasp of San Francisco atmosphere. Too-handsome tough guys, a twisted dame with a streak of brutality, a gloomy Nob Hill mansion, and details like the extras in the nightclub scene and the furnishings in the dame's apartment are all done quite as well as in the higher-budgeted "Out of the Past." Some continuity elements seem to have been left on the cutting room floor, as in other RKO noirs, but to good effect, and it is obvious the bit players (including Dorothy Adams) were carefully chosen. Better preserved than some of the Falcon pictures, this one merits attention beyond the context of the series.
24 Reviews
The Falcon charm works on women of all ages
bkoganbing6 July 2013
Tom Conway and retainer Ed Brophy are on their way to San Francisco on a train when they make the acquaintance of young Sharyn Moffett. The Falcon charm work on women of all ages and the little girl asks for his help saying she's become a prisoner in her own home. Her rather severe nurse is later murdered on the train and the Falcon and the always helpful Goldie Locke are involved.
Besides Moffett this caper will involve her older sister Rita Corday, a former bootlegger from Prohibition days Robert Armstrong, a Dutch importer John Mylong and a poor man's Gale Sondergaard Fay Helm.
This is one of the bloodiest Falcon episodes that RKO did. A whole lot of people die in this one, especially in an incredibly bloody climax.
Conway is charming as usual and Brophy provides much needed comic relief in this story. Still even his relief was too much. He reads that he can pay less income tax when married and starts coming on to every woman he sees with inevitable results. Now if Conway had done it...........
Besides Moffett this caper will involve her older sister Rita Corday, a former bootlegger from Prohibition days Robert Armstrong, a Dutch importer John Mylong and a poor man's Gale Sondergaard Fay Helm.
This is one of the bloodiest Falcon episodes that RKO did. A whole lot of people die in this one, especially in an incredibly bloody climax.
Conway is charming as usual and Brophy provides much needed comic relief in this story. Still even his relief was too much. He reads that he can pay less income tax when married and starts coming on to every woman he sees with inevitable results. Now if Conway had done it...........
fun crazy ride
SnoopyStyle24 July 2021
Tom "The Falcon" Lawrence (Tom Conway) and his sidekick Goldie Locke are on the train to San Francisco. They befriend cutie Annie Marshall and her little dog. She tells them that she's being held prisoner by her nurse. The nurse is dead and the Falcon suspects murder. When they arrive in San Francisco, the Falcon gets arrested for kidnapping the little girl while he's trying to bring her home.
I love the start with the little girl. Goldie and her have a fun energy. It's fun whenever the girl shows up. The plot gets convoluted real quick. It's downright Kafkaesque. It's fun in its audacity. There's no point in trying to solve the whodunnit. I don't even follow the whatisit. It's much better to enjoy the wild and crazy ride. It's the 11th entry in the series.
I love the start with the little girl. Goldie and her have a fun energy. It's fun whenever the girl shows up. The plot gets convoluted real quick. It's downright Kafkaesque. It's fun in its audacity. There's no point in trying to solve the whodunnit. I don't even follow the whatisit. It's much better to enjoy the wild and crazy ride. It's the 11th entry in the series.
Pretty good Falcon
blanche-225 November 2009
"The Falcon in San Francisco" is a 1945 entry into The Falcon series starring Tom Conway. This one has some nice shots of San Francisco and captures the city's atmosphere - old timers familiar with the city will love it. In this one, Tom and Goldie (Edward Brophy) meet a cute little girl (Sheryl Moffett) and her dog Diogenes on a train. While traveling, the girl's nurse is found dead. The Falcon and Goldie soon find themselves in a web of intrigue involving a crime ring, a shipping company, and a secret kept by the girl's beautiful sister (Rita Corday). King Kong's Robert Armstrong plays the shipping company's business manager. The mystery is actually pretty good, and the film moves quickly.
For some reason, these Falcon films always end somewhat abruptly. However, it's enjoyable.
For some reason, these Falcon films always end somewhat abruptly. However, it's enjoyable.
One of the lesser entries in the series. It's just too contrived.
JohnHowardReid29 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Executive producer: Sid Rogell. Copyright 20 July 1945 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Rialto: 20 July 1945. U.S. release: August 1945. U.K. release: 6 January 1947. Australian release: 10 January 1946. 6,050 feet. 67 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: An impossibly complicated plot starts off when the Falcon befriends a young girl on the train to San Francisco. She claims she is being held prisoner.
NOTES: Number eleven in the sixteen-picture Falcon series.
COMMENT: Disappointing. True, director Joseph H. Lewis does what he can with some long, fluid takes, some through-the-bars shots and the availability of some fine standing sets. But he's ultimately defeated by the confused and confusing, not-worth-the-effort but incredibly complex plot.
Edward S. Brophy's Goldy is not much help either. Whilst he does have a few amusing moments (particularly a run-in with Dorothy Adams' put-down widow), mostly he's a pain. Conway sails through his role in his usual suave but increasingly detached manner, but Rita Corday makes a most attractive heroine, and Sharyn Moffett is quite tolerable as the young girl. The other players, with the exception of Faye Helm's villainess and her sadistic henchman Carl Kent, make little impression (including Robert Armstrong's routine shipping fleet owner).
Visually, the film is more interesting. There are only a few shots of San Francisco (most notably Conway boarding a cable car), but the sets (some doubtless standing from The Magnificent Ambersons) are extensive and well-lit.
It's easy to separate the work of the two cameramen. Although they're a good match, Miller's glossy black images using little if any fill light, such as the scenes in Moffett's bedroom, are a characteristic that few other cinematographers would duplicate.
Despite its fair-sized budget (and its many echoes from Hammett and Chandler), The Falcon in San Francisco is definitely one of the lesser entries in the series. It's just too contrived.
OTHER VIEWS: With his sweeping camera movements through crowded sets, and other establishing shots through all sorts of "frames", plus a bit of location shooting in San Fancisco itself, director Joseph H. Lewis manages to get a fair bit of production value into this entry. Unfortunately his efforts are largely wasted on a mindlessly convoluted-but-who-cares plot. Conway is unperturbed, but some of the other principals try hard (in Brophy's case too hard) to interest us in the characters, but with only passing success.
SYNOPSIS: An impossibly complicated plot starts off when the Falcon befriends a young girl on the train to San Francisco. She claims she is being held prisoner.
NOTES: Number eleven in the sixteen-picture Falcon series.
COMMENT: Disappointing. True, director Joseph H. Lewis does what he can with some long, fluid takes, some through-the-bars shots and the availability of some fine standing sets. But he's ultimately defeated by the confused and confusing, not-worth-the-effort but incredibly complex plot.
Edward S. Brophy's Goldy is not much help either. Whilst he does have a few amusing moments (particularly a run-in with Dorothy Adams' put-down widow), mostly he's a pain. Conway sails through his role in his usual suave but increasingly detached manner, but Rita Corday makes a most attractive heroine, and Sharyn Moffett is quite tolerable as the young girl. The other players, with the exception of Faye Helm's villainess and her sadistic henchman Carl Kent, make little impression (including Robert Armstrong's routine shipping fleet owner).
Visually, the film is more interesting. There are only a few shots of San Francisco (most notably Conway boarding a cable car), but the sets (some doubtless standing from The Magnificent Ambersons) are extensive and well-lit.
It's easy to separate the work of the two cameramen. Although they're a good match, Miller's glossy black images using little if any fill light, such as the scenes in Moffett's bedroom, are a characteristic that few other cinematographers would duplicate.
Despite its fair-sized budget (and its many echoes from Hammett and Chandler), The Falcon in San Francisco is definitely one of the lesser entries in the series. It's just too contrived.
OTHER VIEWS: With his sweeping camera movements through crowded sets, and other establishing shots through all sorts of "frames", plus a bit of location shooting in San Fancisco itself, director Joseph H. Lewis manages to get a fair bit of production value into this entry. Unfortunately his efforts are largely wasted on a mindlessly convoluted-but-who-cares plot. Conway is unperturbed, but some of the other principals try hard (in Brophy's case too hard) to interest us in the characters, but with only passing success.
The Falcon Meets a Little Girl, Very Charming, Good Mystery
robert-temple-129 December 2007
This is the eleventh Falcon film, notable for the entry of a child actress in a major role. Having the Falcon exchange witty lines with Sharyn Moffett who in the film 'will be 18 in nine years' time', as she puts it, and who 'has decided to marry Tom Lawrence (the Falcon)' when she grows up 'but then he'll have to stop chasing after other girls', is a refreshing and amusing change. Tom Conway does very well at communicating with a kid, and Sharyn is charming in the part. Unfortunately, the hideously boring and coarse Edward Brophy is the Falcon's sidekick in this one, which is so annoying. There is a marvellous wicked femme fatale in this one played by Fay Helm, who obviously finds it delicious to be devilish. Rita Corday appears in her fifth Falcon film, and has become a reliable fixture in the series. Robert Armstrong, solid and good viewing, appears in this one and adds conviction to a double identity. The film is well directed by Joseph H. Lewis, his one foray into falconry, with some good San Francisco location shots, excellent framing, and a nice pace. The story is satisfying in its puzzling complexity, and we really can't figure out very much at all until we get near the end. Falconers will enjoy this one, and lesser mortals should too.
He Didn't Leave His Heart In San Francisco
hogwrassler24 July 2021
Tom Lawrence, The Falcon, is on a train for a vacation in San Francisco. Along for the ride is his sometimes sidekick, Goldie Locke. They meet a cute 9-year old girl named Annie Marshall and her equally cute little dog, Diogenes. She claims she's being held prisoner in her own house in SF. The Falcon and Goldie don't believe her, but then Annie's nurse turns up dead and the SF PD suspect The Falcon. He now believes Annie's story and sets about finding out what's going on. The story gets a little complicated and the viewer has to watch close to keep up. There's no Cliff Clark and Edward Gargan to provide comic relief as bumbling New York cops and the film suffers for it. There is plenty of stock footage of San Francisco to keep the viewer interested. Watch for Myrna Dell in a bit part as a hotel guest who is definitely not interested in Goldie. 9-year old Sharyn Moffett is quite good as Annie. Both her parents had been in show business and her mother pushed her into a Hollywood career. Sharyn was quite religious and soon left the business, got married, and moved to Pennsylvania where both she and her husband became Episcopalian ministers. Sharon (she changed the spelling to the biblical way) later became head of the national Big Sisters Organization.
Decent but convoluted story
planktonrules22 November 2007
This is a movie that can be enjoyed on a superficial level, but if you think too much about the plot it might just give you a headache. That's because the plot often just doesn't make much sense--particularly the far-fetched ending.
Tom Conway plays his usual dapper role as Tom Lawrence ("The Falcon") and the film is greatly improved by having his old sidekick ("Goldy", played by Eddie Brophy). For some reason, while earlier Falcon films always featured a sidekick, for quite a few of Conway's film the sidekick had disappeared--making the films a bit flat and needing an infusion of humor. Also, fortunately, there is no ditsy female to clutter up the film. The female leads in THE FALCON IN Hollywood and several other previous films were just awful--playing both love interests and comic relief. However, they all just came off as annoying. Fortunately, Goldy is not annoying but provided able support--as did the cute little kid who appeared in the film. Often, cute kids are detriments to a film but here she infuses a nice new element to the film.
While I could TRY to explain the film, frankly it didn't make all that much sense to me and I am sure it would only confuse you if I tried! It was that convoluted! For fans of the series, this is a good and welcome addition to the series. But for others, it's probably not going to make them fans of the Falcon films.
Tom Conway plays his usual dapper role as Tom Lawrence ("The Falcon") and the film is greatly improved by having his old sidekick ("Goldy", played by Eddie Brophy). For some reason, while earlier Falcon films always featured a sidekick, for quite a few of Conway's film the sidekick had disappeared--making the films a bit flat and needing an infusion of humor. Also, fortunately, there is no ditsy female to clutter up the film. The female leads in THE FALCON IN Hollywood and several other previous films were just awful--playing both love interests and comic relief. However, they all just came off as annoying. Fortunately, Goldy is not annoying but provided able support--as did the cute little kid who appeared in the film. Often, cute kids are detriments to a film but here she infuses a nice new element to the film.
While I could TRY to explain the film, frankly it didn't make all that much sense to me and I am sure it would only confuse you if I tried! It was that convoluted! For fans of the series, this is a good and welcome addition to the series. But for others, it's probably not going to make them fans of the Falcon films.
And In A Muddle
boblipton24 July 2021
Tom Conway and Eddie Brophy take the train to San Francisco, the city by the bay, so that Brophy can hunt up a wife -- he thinks he pays too much in income taxes, and a wife would solve that. Along the way, Conway charms little Sharon Moffat, who starts to tell fibs. This lands him in hot water with the police, and more with Rita Corday, leading into a nicely tangled mystery involving hemp, silk and ex-gangster Robert Armstrong.
Conway isn't quite as smooth as his brother, George Sanders for the first four of the series, but he certainly knows how to portray a man out of his depth and bluffing. Director Joseph H. Lewis is a little more standard in this movie than many of his better known B masterpieces, but the mystery will keep fans of the form amused.
Conway isn't quite as smooth as his brother, George Sanders for the first four of the series, but he certainly knows how to portray a man out of his depth and bluffing. Director Joseph H. Lewis is a little more standard in this movie than many of his better known B masterpieces, but the mystery will keep fans of the form amused.
Formula Entry
Jim Tritten6 April 2002
About average for the Tom Lawrence version of the Falcon series. Edward Brophy does his usual sidekick role well, Rita Corday is nice to look at, Sharyn Moffett does her best as Shirley Temple, there is a reasonable plot, a few good shots of an older San Francisco, and not much else to recommend. Best for those who must see the entire Falcon series.
Glad to have metten up with this one
Spondonman7 April 2007
After 5 Falcon films without him, Goldie Lock makes his return with Ed Brophy in his first of 2 although he had played a cop in the 1st Falcon film in 1941 too. This was also Tom Conway's 8th outing in the title role - this time with a cold - to Rita Corday's 5th as suspect. "In San Francisco" was an earthier entry in the series, with some realistic acting, more violence to go with some of the seedier locales and a punchier storyline: all adding up to make an excellent film [11/13].
A little girls' guardian is found dead on a sleeper train, suave passengers Tom Lawrence and Goldie offer to take her home but get arrested for child abduction. It turns even nastier when various shady parties think that the Falcon's working for the other side, leading to him getting roughed up in his quest to find out what's going on. The trail leads to an ex-bootlegger, an old moll in a ridiculous hat, silk smuggling in short, an interesting and cogent plot with a satisfying climax. Thankfully the possibilities with cute little Annie in tow were not taken up, a very brief bedtime reading of Peter And The Wolf was as close as we got. Comedy was supplied by Brophy with the running gag of him trying to become a married poyson to save on his income tax payments.
It's always been my favourite Conway Falcon movie, best for those of us who like watching 1940's b&w detective b pics whether in a series or not.
A little girls' guardian is found dead on a sleeper train, suave passengers Tom Lawrence and Goldie offer to take her home but get arrested for child abduction. It turns even nastier when various shady parties think that the Falcon's working for the other side, leading to him getting roughed up in his quest to find out what's going on. The trail leads to an ex-bootlegger, an old moll in a ridiculous hat, silk smuggling in short, an interesting and cogent plot with a satisfying climax. Thankfully the possibilities with cute little Annie in tow were not taken up, a very brief bedtime reading of Peter And The Wolf was as close as we got. Comedy was supplied by Brophy with the running gag of him trying to become a married poyson to save on his income tax payments.
It's always been my favourite Conway Falcon movie, best for those of us who like watching 1940's b&w detective b pics whether in a series or not.
Classic Falcon film
whpratt119 November 2007
The Falcon, Tom Lawrence,(Tom Conway) travels on a train heading for San Francisco along with his partner Goldie Locke, (Edward Brophy) and they are planning a vacation to take in the sights of San Francisco. On the train they encounter a very young little girl named Annie Marshall ( Sharyn Moffett) who is looking for her lost dog and meets up with the Falcon and his partner. Annie tells the Falcon she is being held captive in her home by her butler and nurse and the Falcon decides to investigate this girls problem, but is interrupted by the murder of the Annie's nurse. There is all kinds of bad situations the Falcon gets into with plenty of beatings and he also encounters Duke Monet, (Robert Armstrong) who has a sinister past and is involved with a silk smuggling racket. There is excellent photography through out the City of San Francisco and old buildings long gone.
gets silly towards the end..
ksf-29 September 2020
Tom Conway is the falcon again.. he shared this role with his brother George over the years. and sidekick Goldie (Ed Brophy ) is in this one! nice shot of the bridge in the opening credits! when the falcon and Goldie are vacationing in sf, they meet up with Annie, a small child, who is suddenly on her own. they try to help her get home, and of course, are accused of kidnapping! and now, a murder! speech impediments. fun scenery of chinatown. coit tower. lots of fun, going all over the city. mostly a fun time, although Annie started getting very precious towards the end, kind of like shirley temple, saying things a young little girl wouldn't say. they all end up on a ship which may be about to blow up, so they'd better hurry up and solve the case! directed by Joe Lewis. looks like this was the only Falcon he directed..... usually they direct a whole bunch of em! fun stuff.
One of Tom Conway's better later, and overall, Falcon films
TheLittleSongbird25 November 2016
The Falcon films, both with George Sanders and Tom Conway in the lead role, are on the most part very enjoyable. There are some very good ones like the first two Sanders Falcon films and 'The Falcon Strikes Back', though also a few disappointments like 'The Falcon in Danger' and 'The Falcon in Mexico'.
On the most part, 'The Falcon in San Francisco' is for me one of Conway's better later and overall Falcon films. It is one of the series' most stylish and funniest, and also the series at its earthiest and most violent. Most of the film works very well indeed, but the story does get a little convoluted later and ends abruptly. A few of Edward Brophy's comic shenanigans are a touch overdone too.
However, a lot also does work. The music is lively and haunting enough, and on the most part the production values are slick and atmospheric with particularly nicely done photography. A new director is on board here, courtesy of Joseph H Lewis in his sole Falcon outing, and it is a very stylish and energetic directing job. Further advantages are a very playful script with dialogue that crackles with wit and some of the series' funniest and a mostly absorbing story that is never less than bright, breezy and fun with some suspense and great twists and turns.
Conway is dapper, suave, charismatic and amusingly cutting here, he always thrived in the title role and 'The Falcon in San Francisco' is evidence of that. Rita Corday brings plenty of allure, Edward Brophy is on the most part very funny and his comic relief is more than welcome and Sharyn Moffett is charming and vulnerable without ever falling into any of the obvious traps that child performers can do.
All in all, solid fun and one of the better later films of the series and one of Conway's best. 7/10 Bethany Cox
On the most part, 'The Falcon in San Francisco' is for me one of Conway's better later and overall Falcon films. It is one of the series' most stylish and funniest, and also the series at its earthiest and most violent. Most of the film works very well indeed, but the story does get a little convoluted later and ends abruptly. A few of Edward Brophy's comic shenanigans are a touch overdone too.
However, a lot also does work. The music is lively and haunting enough, and on the most part the production values are slick and atmospheric with particularly nicely done photography. A new director is on board here, courtesy of Joseph H Lewis in his sole Falcon outing, and it is a very stylish and energetic directing job. Further advantages are a very playful script with dialogue that crackles with wit and some of the series' funniest and a mostly absorbing story that is never less than bright, breezy and fun with some suspense and great twists and turns.
Conway is dapper, suave, charismatic and amusingly cutting here, he always thrived in the title role and 'The Falcon in San Francisco' is evidence of that. Rita Corday brings plenty of allure, Edward Brophy is on the most part very funny and his comic relief is more than welcome and Sharyn Moffett is charming and vulnerable without ever falling into any of the obvious traps that child performers can do.
All in all, solid fun and one of the better later films of the series and one of Conway's best. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Characters Carry the Movie
dougdoepke9 July 2013
Nothing special here but should please fans of the series. The plot starts off well enough—a little girl's nurse dies unexpectedly on board a train with the Falcon and Goldie. Naturally they take charge of her well-being, but soon become entangled in a dark web of intrigue presided over by a commanding spider woman, Doreen. After that the plot becomes pretty convoluted, such that the elements of a mystery are undercut by the many complications. Still the colorful players manage to hold audience interest.
I particularly like little Sharon Moffett (Annie) who manages to be both cute and vulnerable without being cloying, a really difficult trick for Hollywood moppets. Brophy also manages some well-calibrated comedy relief without resorting to tiresome clowning around. And, of course, there's always the smooth and dapper Conway as the gentleman detective. Except for a few landmark shots of San Francisco, there's not much else distinctive in this eleventh entry in the highly successful series.
I particularly like little Sharon Moffett (Annie) who manages to be both cute and vulnerable without being cloying, a really difficult trick for Hollywood moppets. Brophy also manages some well-calibrated comedy relief without resorting to tiresome clowning around. And, of course, there's always the smooth and dapper Conway as the gentleman detective. Except for a few landmark shots of San Francisco, there's not much else distinctive in this eleventh entry in the highly successful series.
The supporting actors are shinning!
boyshyshy21 August 2012
Well, well, the two handsome young tough/bad guys are shinning and have stolen part of the show! Their looks are more impressive than the Falcon. Too cute to be a tough guys. Pity that haven't seen them around in other films. That is exactly the problem in the show business and the entertaining world. Good quality guys and pretty girls with acting talent are packed up. Those ordinary look like the female tomb raider are praised as the most sexy and beautiful woman in the world. What a trash remark. If you want to see really handsome actor and beautiful actress, try this one and you will find out what is true beauty and good acting.
Overall it is a nice and entertaining film. Catch it if it passes by your TV channels.
Overall it is a nice and entertaining film. Catch it if it passes by your TV channels.
"Instead of a falcon why couldn't I have teamed up with a homing pigeon?"
utgard1417 June 2017
Good entry in the Falcon series that features the return of sidekick Goldie Locke. No, it's not Allen Jenkins, unfortunately. This time Goldie is played by Edward Brophy. He's not quite as good as Jenkins but he's fun in his way. Tom Conway certainly benefits from having someone to play off of. The plot to this one has the Falcon vacationing in San Francisco when he tries to help a little girl and gets mixed up in a plot involving murder and a mystery surrounding a former bootlegger. Good supporting cast includes Robert Armstrong, Fay Helm, and Jason Robards, Sr. Rita Corday returns for another Falcon movie, again playing a new character. Child actor Sharyn Moffett is very cute. This is an entertaining film in a series that had started to look like it was on its last legs when the Falcon was rambling around Texas and Mexico.
One of the better Falcon entries
NellsFlickers6 August 2019
Not a Golden Gate
shoretalk26 February 2023
Tom Conway is back charming every single woman in this Falcon adventure that has viewers wondering "who dunnit" or perhaps wondering "why oh why" throughout the film.
It's good to have Edward Brophy back as comedic relief as well as a reminder that one should never take Falcon films too seriously.
The initial vacation premise of the storyline quickly becomes incredulous as challenges only Tom Lawrence might have to face ... after all he is THE FALCON!
You can sense the evil in the bad characters throughout the film and it wouldn't be an adventure worthy of THE FALCON without beautiful women.
The acting can be stiff at times but there are surprises to discover.
It's good to have Edward Brophy back as comedic relief as well as a reminder that one should never take Falcon films too seriously.
The initial vacation premise of the storyline quickly becomes incredulous as challenges only Tom Lawrence might have to face ... after all he is THE FALCON!
You can sense the evil in the bad characters throughout the film and it wouldn't be an adventure worthy of THE FALCON without beautiful women.
The acting can be stiff at times but there are surprises to discover.
The Falcon visits San Francisco
guswhovian18 July 2020
The Falcon and his friend Goldie Locke encounter a little girl on a train who claims her nurse is keeping her prisoner. When the nurse turns up dead, the Falcon becomes involved in a case that somehow involves a prohibition gangster.
This is probably my favorite of the four Falcon films I've seen. The plot is rather confusing, but there's good performances all round. This looks a bit more expensive then the previous films, and the direction is excellent. The on-location photography in San Francisco is a nice touch.
There's plenty of familiar faces in the cast: Edward Brophy (the voice of Timothy Q. Mouse) is good as the Falcon's sidekick, while Robert Armstrong (of King Kong fame), Rita Corday (who has previously appeared in the Falcon and the Co-eds) and Sharyn Moffett (the crippled girl from The Body Snatcher) are all good.
This is probably my favorite of the four Falcon films I've seen. The plot is rather confusing, but there's good performances all round. This looks a bit more expensive then the previous films, and the direction is excellent. The on-location photography in San Francisco is a nice touch.
There's plenty of familiar faces in the cast: Edward Brophy (the voice of Timothy Q. Mouse) is good as the Falcon's sidekick, while Robert Armstrong (of King Kong fame), Rita Corday (who has previously appeared in the Falcon and the Co-eds) and Sharyn Moffett (the crippled girl from The Body Snatcher) are all good.
Excellent 1940's mystery with a great climax
shakspryn29 April 2018
This is a really good 1940's mystery, of that type which mixes some humor and warmth with the tough stuff. The plot is a little complicated, but it does make sense and, after all, this is a MYSTERY. Viewers will often complain if they can "figure it out" in the first ten minutes; when they can't, they complain it's too hard to follow. This is definitely one where you have to show some patience and wait for the clues to unfold.
One of the points I liked about this movie is, you find yourself questioning: who is so-and-so? Are they who they claim to be? Here, I found myself suspecting different people. That is the mark of a very good mystery!
The San Francisco settings are very nice. It's always a treat when a studio picture of the 1930's or 1940's gets out of the sound stage and takes you someplace interesting, like San Francisco.
Tom Conway is excellent as the Falcon. He has an easy, understated charm. He comes across as a guy you would like to have for a pal. The supporting cast is solid. And, the ending is terrific! Worthy of film noir, which this picture is not, having a frequently light, wry tone. But gosh--that ending!
A great look at San Francisco before it went down the drain.
rlymzv2 November 2018
A great look at San Francisco before it went down the drain.
What a beautiful city San Francisco used to be. Lots of great sites to see in this film. A great murder mystery with a super cute dog and lots of beautiful women. Great story, excellent acting.
This one is about the Falcon and his friend, who adds lots of comedy to the film, who are on vacation in San Francisco. The Falcon promises to give up investigating crimes, but is unable to do so.
What a beautiful city San Francisco used to be. Lots of great sites to see in this film. A great murder mystery with a super cute dog and lots of beautiful women. Great story, excellent acting.
This one is about the Falcon and his friend, who adds lots of comedy to the film, who are on vacation in San Francisco. The Falcon promises to give up investigating crimes, but is unable to do so.
One of the best of the Falcon movies!
bestfriends-8903412 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This film, the eleventh in the sixteen film Falcon detective series, stars Tom Conway as the Falcon once again, with a wonderful supporting cast headed by the beautiful Rita Corday, the comical Edward Brophy, the adorable Sharyn Moffett, and femme fatale Fay Helm. Tie the cast with a winning storyline, and you've got a great Falcon film, and in my opinion, one of the best!
The plot revolves around a silk-smuggling ring in San Francisco that the Falcon learns about because of a little girl, (played by Sharyn Moffett) after her nurse was murdered on the same train they were on. After the killing, the Falcon and Goldie Locke decide to escort the girl back to her home, but after another murder occurs, he becomes enticed to the case and begins to solve the mystery.
Tom Conway is great as the Falcon, as usual, with his calm and suave demeanor, and Sharyn Moffett, I must say, is one of the best child actresses of the day. If you checked out some of her other films, such as "Child of Divorce" and "Banjo," I'm sure you'd agree with me. She's as cute as a button, too :)
Rita Corday is in this one too, and it's her FIFTH entry out of six in the Falcon series at RKO, but this was the first one in which she received billing after Conway. In the other Falcon movies she appeared in, such as "The Falcon and the Co-Ed's" and "The Falcon in Hollywood" she has pretty small parts and lower billing than some of the others, but she really shines in this role playing Sharyn Moffett's older sister, Joan. She's incredibly beautiful, too, and I'm not sure how many other people agree with this, but I LOVE her Swiss accent. Both of her parents were Swiss and she studied in places like Paris and Shanghai before coming to Hollywood with her mother in the early 1940's and signing a contract with RKO. So, that explains the accent, which in my opinion, is just wonderful. I can't explain why I'm so attracted to it, but I just am :)
As for the rest of the cast, they play their roles well, especially Fay Helm, as the bad girl who's involved in the silk smuggling, and the climax is one of the best in the series (a boat explosion).
All in all, a WONDERFUL entry to the Falcon film series, and it was great to see Rita Corday once again :)
The plot revolves around a silk-smuggling ring in San Francisco that the Falcon learns about because of a little girl, (played by Sharyn Moffett) after her nurse was murdered on the same train they were on. After the killing, the Falcon and Goldie Locke decide to escort the girl back to her home, but after another murder occurs, he becomes enticed to the case and begins to solve the mystery.
Tom Conway is great as the Falcon, as usual, with his calm and suave demeanor, and Sharyn Moffett, I must say, is one of the best child actresses of the day. If you checked out some of her other films, such as "Child of Divorce" and "Banjo," I'm sure you'd agree with me. She's as cute as a button, too :)
Rita Corday is in this one too, and it's her FIFTH entry out of six in the Falcon series at RKO, but this was the first one in which she received billing after Conway. In the other Falcon movies she appeared in, such as "The Falcon and the Co-Ed's" and "The Falcon in Hollywood" she has pretty small parts and lower billing than some of the others, but she really shines in this role playing Sharyn Moffett's older sister, Joan. She's incredibly beautiful, too, and I'm not sure how many other people agree with this, but I LOVE her Swiss accent. Both of her parents were Swiss and she studied in places like Paris and Shanghai before coming to Hollywood with her mother in the early 1940's and signing a contract with RKO. So, that explains the accent, which in my opinion, is just wonderful. I can't explain why I'm so attracted to it, but I just am :)
As for the rest of the cast, they play their roles well, especially Fay Helm, as the bad girl who's involved in the silk smuggling, and the climax is one of the best in the series (a boat explosion).
All in all, a WONDERFUL entry to the Falcon film series, and it was great to see Rita Corday once again :)
The eleventh film in the Falcon series
jacobs-greenwood19 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Some familiar actors return to the series in this one, though not in recurring roles. Edward Brophy (who appeared in the first Falcon film as a detective, and is a fairly recognizable character actor in his own right) plays Goldie, and Rita Corday appears in her fifth (out of six total) film in the series, though never as the same character. And, missing from this film are the police inspector and his detective.
The Falcon (Tom Conway) and Goldie are taking a train to San Francisco for a vacation from crime solving (discussing ways for Goldie to reduce his income taxes by getting married) when a dog interrupts them. Shortly thereafter, a little girl named Annie (Sharyn Moffett), the dog's owner, joins them saying that she must get back to Mrs. Peabody (Esther Howard). She goes on to tell them that she and her older sister are more or less "held captive" in their own home by Mrs. Peabody, her nursemaid, and Loomis (Jason Robards Sr.). The nursemaid appears saying that she hopes Annie hasn't been telling them any of her (tall) tales, and escorts her away. Mrs. Peabody is later found dead on the train.
Since Annie is now without a guardian, the Falcon decides to help her get home. A man named Peter Vantine (John Mylong) sees the two of them leaving the station in a cab and phones the police to report a kidnapping. The police catch up to the cab and take the Falcon in for questioning. But they only detain him briefly because Doreen Temple (Fay Helm), a woman unknown to the Falcon, posts his bail. Shortly thereafter, aided by some thugs, Ms. Temple questions him about Peter Vantine (e.g. did he kill Mrs. Peabody on the train?). The Falcon says that, though he suspected that the nursemaid could have been murdered, he'd never even heard Vantine's name before she mentioned it. Not believing him, she has her thugs beat him up and drive him around San Francisco before dropping him out of the car.
The Falcon recovers and goes to Annie's house and the door is answered by Loomis. But, before he can be turned away, he meets the little girl's sister Joan (Ms. Corday) and gets a different story from her than the one Annie told about being "held captive" in their house. However, later that night, the Falcon returns with Goldie. Then, with Annie's assistance, they gain access to the former nursemaid's room, finding a photo of man with Star Coastal Lines. Loomis hears a noise, enters the room, and is shot by someone who (unbeknownst to the others) was also in the room. The Falcon and Goldie return Annie to her room and escape, unseen by Joan, before the police arrive.
Back at their hotel, the Falcon and Goldie are interrupted by Vantine, who barges in on them with a gun. Quickly, the Falcon disarms him and they learn from Vantine that he has been tracking Doreen Temple, who he believes is working with Duke Manet, a smuggler thought to be dead. This leads the Falcon to visit the offices of Star Coastal Lines where he meets Mr. De Forrest (Robert Armstrong), learns the name of a ship soon arriving at port, and more.
During the rest of the film, several familiar plot devices from the series are incorporated including an identity revelation, a double cross, more people are shot and/or found dead, and the Falcon is captured by (and escapes from) the "bad guys" again. Of course, the Falcon figures it all out and everything ends well as usual. This film has no lead in to the next film in the series.
The Falcon (Tom Conway) and Goldie are taking a train to San Francisco for a vacation from crime solving (discussing ways for Goldie to reduce his income taxes by getting married) when a dog interrupts them. Shortly thereafter, a little girl named Annie (Sharyn Moffett), the dog's owner, joins them saying that she must get back to Mrs. Peabody (Esther Howard). She goes on to tell them that she and her older sister are more or less "held captive" in their own home by Mrs. Peabody, her nursemaid, and Loomis (Jason Robards Sr.). The nursemaid appears saying that she hopes Annie hasn't been telling them any of her (tall) tales, and escorts her away. Mrs. Peabody is later found dead on the train.
Since Annie is now without a guardian, the Falcon decides to help her get home. A man named Peter Vantine (John Mylong) sees the two of them leaving the station in a cab and phones the police to report a kidnapping. The police catch up to the cab and take the Falcon in for questioning. But they only detain him briefly because Doreen Temple (Fay Helm), a woman unknown to the Falcon, posts his bail. Shortly thereafter, aided by some thugs, Ms. Temple questions him about Peter Vantine (e.g. did he kill Mrs. Peabody on the train?). The Falcon says that, though he suspected that the nursemaid could have been murdered, he'd never even heard Vantine's name before she mentioned it. Not believing him, she has her thugs beat him up and drive him around San Francisco before dropping him out of the car.
The Falcon recovers and goes to Annie's house and the door is answered by Loomis. But, before he can be turned away, he meets the little girl's sister Joan (Ms. Corday) and gets a different story from her than the one Annie told about being "held captive" in their house. However, later that night, the Falcon returns with Goldie. Then, with Annie's assistance, they gain access to the former nursemaid's room, finding a photo of man with Star Coastal Lines. Loomis hears a noise, enters the room, and is shot by someone who (unbeknownst to the others) was also in the room. The Falcon and Goldie return Annie to her room and escape, unseen by Joan, before the police arrive.
Back at their hotel, the Falcon and Goldie are interrupted by Vantine, who barges in on them with a gun. Quickly, the Falcon disarms him and they learn from Vantine that he has been tracking Doreen Temple, who he believes is working with Duke Manet, a smuggler thought to be dead. This leads the Falcon to visit the offices of Star Coastal Lines where he meets Mr. De Forrest (Robert Armstrong), learns the name of a ship soon arriving at port, and more.
During the rest of the film, several familiar plot devices from the series are incorporated including an identity revelation, a double cross, more people are shot and/or found dead, and the Falcon is captured by (and escapes from) the "bad guys" again. Of course, the Falcon figures it all out and everything ends well as usual. This film has no lead in to the next film in the series.
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