Maltese Falcon

The famous John's Restaurant of Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade fame once had a reportedly "original" falcon on display. SFPD had a unit to specifically guard the bird during a special public display and it was kept overnight at the Northern District Police Station in the evidence safe (there is a funny story about that night, but I can't share it until all the cops involved have retired :rolleyes ). That falcon was later put on premanent display at the restaurant but was eventually stolen. That investigation is still open.

The owner commissioned a local artist to sculpt a replacement based on screen caps and publicity photos. I was able to obtain one from him, here it is:

FalconStar.jpg


I believe the owner of the restaurant will sell copies of this version if contacted. Mine is inscribed # xxx of xxx so it appears they did a run of these. I'm really happy with mine, and the finish is very nice. No holes or flaws, crisp detailing on the feet and a really smooth finish (paint, I presume).

A fellow RPF'r was doing a Sam Spade project and asked if I could do some research. I met alot of Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade junkies along the way and it was an interesting investigation. The line between Hammett's life and haunts and those of his character Sam Spade was very, very thin. I researched where Hammett really lived, hung out and where Spade lived and worked and hung out ... some locations overlapped. They even give walking tours of some of those locations.

I had the badge shown created based on badge designs for special officers and private investigators used in the Sam Spade era. In the photo I used the badge to cover the inscription on the front of the plynth.
 
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Im not really interested in movies of that time period. Sure, there are some good movies, which are important for the movie buisness and hollywood...

Shame on you!

You need to see this film and then report back to us.
 
The famous John's Restaurant of Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade fame once had a reportedly "original" falcon on display. SFPD had a unit to specifically guard the bird during a special public display and it was kept overnight at the Northern District Police Station in the evidence safe (there is a funny story about that night, but I can't share it until all the cops involved have retired :rolleyes ). That falcon was later put on premanent display at the restaurant but was eventually stolen. That investigation is still open.

The owner commissioned a local artist to sculpt a replacement based on screen caps and publicity photos. I was able to obtain one from him, here it is:

FalconStar.jpg

Wow, that is a beautiful falcon, eltee! I wouldn't mind picking one up as well as Adam's when the time comes. PM sent!

Kody
 
I'd be fascinated to see pictures of Hollywood Casino in Grantville Pa's bird. VERY interested. In fact, Harry Anderson of NightCourt fame has a curio shop in New Orleans and HE also claims to have an original. Until I see photos I'm dubious.

Anyone here live in NO? Wanna go take some pix of Harry's bird as well?

harry anderson might just be trying to lure you into his home so he can stick a hat pin through your arm.:lol
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82charry2.jpg
 
Here are pictures of my MK gold Maltese Falcon without dulling spray:

IMG_0569.jpg


IMG_0570.jpg


IMG_0571.jpg


Eltee,

Love the Sam Spade badge, where did you get it? I want one too. John's Grill can be found here:

www.johnsgrill.com

Information about John's Grill replacement falcon can be found here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/09/BATNSN53J.DTL

The replacement was made larger and more "Falcony" than the movie prop and copies were available at $100.00 a pop. Perhaps they still are, look here:

http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/maltese_falcon08.asp

GB
 
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I ran across this today about Adam Savage's Maltese Falcon.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/adam_savage_s_obsessions.html

Don't know if it has been posted before. Thought it was a pretty interesting presentation. Starts out about his dodo bird but then gets into his Maltese Falcon. He when on to talked about some of the steps he went through in constructing it and there was a photo of all of his versions of the Falcon. The forum was mentioned by name towards the end. There are some photos in the presentation of the screen used Falcon.
 
In fact, Harry Anderson of NightCourt fame has a curio shop in New Orleans and HE also claims to have an original. Until I see photos I'm dubious.

You know, I do recall an 80's era late night appearance where Harry mentioned he and Mel Torme' raided the Warner Bros prop archives (because they were thinning the collection?) and they made off with a few choice items, including the Falcon in question.
 
You know, I do recall an 80's era late night appearance where Harry mentioned he and Mel Torme' raided the Warner Bros prop archives (because they were thinning the collection?) and they made off with a few choice items, including the Falcon in question.

The story was that on Harry's shelves there was a Falcon replica, Harry wanted to take it back home but prop person/set designer said he couldn't but he knew where there was another one at he could have. Harry took the one which supposedly was screen used. He and Mel went back and got the other for Mel.

I remember that story because that story is what turned me onto the Maltese Falcon.

Also, I don't think Harry lives in NO. I read an article a while back saying people were being mean to him and he was moving to North Carolina.

Gregg
 
So who's going to make one in gold that is jewel encrusted from beak to talon? ;)
I still need a replacement one. I bought a plaster one about 25 years ago and after earthquakes and children it started to break.

The Wolf
 
Glad to see this project is still alive and kicking! Eltee was helping me with research on creating a Sam Spade credential set with some other items - both real and imagined - from the novel and Bogart film. Still working on it, eventually (time willing) we'll get it finished.

Love this thread, about time the Dingus got some attention again!
 
I'd be fascinated to see pictures of Hollywood Casino in Grantville Pa's bird. VERY interested. In fact, Harry Anderson of NightCourt fame has a curio shop in New Orleans and HE also claims to have an original. Until I see photos I'm dubious.

Anyone here live in NO? Wanna go take some pix of Harry's bird as well?

My sister is down there, let me know where it is and I'll ask her to get some photos.
 
Glad to see this project is still alive and kicking! Eltee was helping me with research on creating a Sam Spade credential set with some other items - both real and imagined - from the novel and Bogart film. Still working on it, eventually (time willing) we'll get it finished.

Love this thread, about time the Dingus got some attention again!

Would love a credential set with a badge.

GB
 
Count me in for a badge and credential set. That sounds like a very interesting project. What are you guys working on for the credential set and other various items (real and imagined).
 
Thanks for your comments about the other Falcon replicas out there, Adam. It's ironic that your dingus, due to your talk, has now acquired its own interesting history. I, for one, am holding out for your run because it'll be great to have not only a super screen accurate replica but also one with its own unique story. Seeing your talk last year is what brought me to this forum in the first place.

You've already mentioned it, but I was going to ask if you had ever looked into Harry Anderson's claim. There must be some photos out there since it's been on display. One look would tell us if there's even a possibility it's legit. For anyone interested in reading Harry's story, he tells it in this interview from 2003: http://www.evalu8.org/staticpage?page=review&siteid=4813
 
Any good reference images out there of the real thing? I started a digital sculpt a few days back. I have no plans to make/offer anything real from this digital replica attempt. I'm just very inspired by the quest and thought it would be a fun way to kill some time here and there.
 
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