Radio review – Lux - “The Maltese Falcon” (1944) ***

Hammett’s novel was filmed twice in the 30s but no one’s been game to have another go since the John Huston version – at least, not on screen. This radio version came along a few years later, and holds up very well, with a cast of lead players who match those in the 1941 film. Edward G Robinson for Bogie, Laird Cregar for Sydney Greenstreet and Gail Patrick for Mrs Wonderley – this may be sacrilege but those three would have hold their own if they’d been cast. (Of course, Bogart was a bit sexier than Robinson.) Instead of Peter Lorre there’s a Peter Lorre impersonator but the story holds and it’s entertaining.