A Date with the Falcon *** (1942, George Sanders, Wendy Barrie, Allen Jenkins, Mona Maris, Frank Moran, James Gleason, Alec Craig) – Classic Movie Review 3210

Director Irving Reis’s welcome 1942 crime mystery thriller A Date with the Falcon is the second Falcon film, after 1941’s The Gay Falcon, in the 16-movie series starring George Sanders and later his brother Tom Conway.

George Sanders stars again as suave sleuth Gay Lawrence, aka The Falcon, who is kidnapped and accused of murder when he investigates the disappearance of a scientist who has invented a secret formula for making synthetic diamonds. The exotic Argentine brunette Mona Maris is impressive as the femme fatale who gets The Falcon embroiled in her wicked schemes instead of him setting off to fly to Mexico to marry his fiancée Helen Reed (Wendy Barrie).

It is a fair series entry, likeable and entertaining, and lifted by the notable performances of Allen Jenkins as the Falcon’s aide ‘Goldy’ Locke, James Gleason as the homicide cop, Inspector Mike O’Hara, Edward Gargan as Detective Bates, and Alec Craig as the inventor Sampson, leading a strong character cast of eager-to-please over-actors.

There is a bit too much slack and silly comedy, and continual, repeated emphasis on Gay’s womanising and his fiancée’s temper tantrum displays of impatience, giving Wendy Barrie a problem in keeping her character sympathetic and not too tiresome. But the mystery plot keeps a hold, there is a fast pace, a cynical edge, a sudden little burst of violence here and there, a short running time, and a brisk professionalism all round. It has a neat, low-budget, pulpy film noir look about it too, in Robert De Grasse’s black and white cinematography, getting the most out of RKO’s props and sets.

But above all, it is Sanders’s super-smooth turn, and the well-calculated support of Jenkins, Gleason and Gargan – plus Mona Maris – that keeps it fascinating and fun. Hans Conried as the hotel Desk Clerk, Russ Clark as Needles and Victor Kilian as the gang boss Max Carlson have their moments too.

Mona Maris (1903–1991).

It also features Wendy Barrie, James Gleason, Allen Jenkins, Mona Maris, Frank Moran, Victor Kilian, Russ Clark, Edward Gargan, Eddie Borden, Hans Conried, Eddie Dunn, Selmer Jackson, Art Dupuis, William Forrest, Harry Lee, Douglas Spencer, Dick Rush, Earle Ross, Mickey Simpson and Al Sullivan.

Next episode: The Falcon Takes Over (1942).

The Falcon made his first appearance in Michael Arlen’s short story Gay Falcon, first published in 1940 in Town & Country magazine. Falcon is described as a freelance adventurer and troubleshooter who makes his living ‘keeping his mouth shut and engaging in dangerous enterprises’.

A Date with the Falcon, is directed by Irving Reis, runs 63 minutes, is made and released by RKO Radio Pictures, is written by Frank Fenton and Lynn Root, based on the character created by Michael Arlen, is shot in black and white by Robert De Grasse, is produced by Howard Benedict and is scored by Paul Sawtell, with Art Direction by Albert S D’Agostino and Alfred Herman.

It is made at RKO Studios, 780 North Gower Street, Hollywood.

Mona Maris reappears in The Falcon in Mexico.

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© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 3210

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