shakspryn 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!

utgard14 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.

robert-temple-1 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.

MartinHafer 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.