The Maltese Falcon

(1941; screens Tuesday at 9:40 p.m.)

John Huston adapted the Dashiell Hammett novel and directed (in his first outing) with unerring attack, and Humphrey Bogart, as Sam Spade, introduced the arsenal of tough, cynical mannerisms that helped make "Bogie" an immortal screen persona. With portly Sydney Greenstreet, snively Peter Lorre, sneaky Mary Astor, and fall-guy Elisha Cook Jr. as gunsel Wilmer.