The Falcon Strikes Back (1943)

I love this movie so much

Good concept, poorly executed.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Director: EDWARD DMYTRYK. Screenplay: Edward Dein, Gerald Geraghty. Story: Stuart Palmer. Based on characters created by Michael Arlen. Photography: Jack McKenzie. Film editor: George Crone. Art directors: Albert S. D'Agostino, Walter E. Keller. Set decorators: Darrell Silvera, William Stevens. Costumes: Renie. Assistant director: James Casey. Music director: Constantin Bakaleinikoff. Music composed by Roy Webb. Sound recording: Jean L. Speak. RCA Sound System. Producer: Maurice Geraghty (brother of the screenwriter). Copyright 7 May 1943 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Palace: 1 April 1943. U.S. release: 7 May 1943. Australian release: 14 October 1943. 6,008. 66 minutes.NOTES: Number 5 of the 16 "Falcon" pictures, and the only one to be directed by Edward Dmytryk. COMMENT: The cast is four times more appealing and the direction about twice as inventive as the plot, — a lot of meaningless waffle about stolen war bonds. A surfeit of dialogue further burdens the story-line, though it does provide opportunities for a grand array of character players to sloop through their paces. Dmytryk's direction is likewise smooth, though it only really rouses the rafters in the action spots, e.g. the long tracking shot of Rita Corday swimming the length of the pool; the camera in the driver's seat of a speeding station wagon; the business with the Velma Dawson Puppets, including a "Goofy" puppet, courtesy of Walt Disney. Production values are high by "B" standards, with excellent camera- work and sets.

After doing some internet searching it appears that the Falcon series has not been put on DVDs. Does anyone know if there is a reasonable chance that that will happen? My son and I recently recorded three of The Falcon movies off of a satellite channel and enjoyed all three. I'd sure buy a DVD set of the series if it were available.The three films we saw were The Falcon's Brother, The Falcon and the Co-Eds and The Falcon Strikes Back. That is probably the order in which we would rank the three films, but for us they are pretty close. I read a comment that the earlier George Sanders films had a more film noir atmosphere, in which case we'd definitely like to see those.Thanks,

This is the fifth Falcon film, the first with Tom Conway in the role, and the first with a major director, Ed Dmytryk. Consequently, artistic shots begin to appear: when someone pulls a gun on one occasion, Dmytryk cuts to a dramatic closeup of the gun barrel pointing at the camera. An ingenious tracking shot of Conway walking along the edge of a swimming pool talking to a woman who is swimming was replicated in 1985, 42 years later, in 'The Sure Thing' directed by Rob Reiner. The screenwriters of the previous film have been dumped because they did not provide enough humour, and this time humour is back, and plenty of it. Dialogue crackles again in top form. Unfortunately, Keye Luke as the butler is gone, so a lot is lost in that department. There are some splendid villains, and it is a good solid wartime espionage thriller, excellent B movie stuff. Conway is as urbane and smooth as his brother, and just as compulsive a girl-chaser. There are some wonderful gags, and the women swooning as Conway kisses them, or flocking to his arms asking for his help, are played for all they are worth. Wonderful fun and an intriguing mystery tale done with style.

First in the series in which Tom Conway stars fully on his own as the Falcon. Tom starts and ends this movie by being dragged into danger by a beautiful damsel in distress – Rita Corday starts her appearances in the series with this film. Some good comic bits include two tramps telling Tom the time by an improvised sundial (and then commenting on how fortunate they are for their state of affairs compared to Tom). The basic plot involves a war bond theft, a murder at a swimming pool, and Tom's relationship with Jane Randolph (who swoons to his kiss). Cliff Edwards' only appearance as Goldie Locke (better portrayed in later films by Edward Brophy). Edwards does much better later as the voice of Jiminy Cricket. Edgar Kennedy seems miscast but the introduction of a puppeteer as a character is interesting. An early Harriet Hilliard as a resort manager will be more remembered in the Ozzie and Harriet TV series. The Falcon and his cronies always seem to outmaneuver and yet assist the bumbling policemen. The past is too fast for much character development. Good directing saves this entry into what is otherwise only a fair series.