Though I don't disagree with Brian Thornton's appraisal of
the acting in the Ricardo Cortez version, there is something
to be said about seeing the story set in the period in which
the book was written. When I first read the novel, Bogart and
Greenstreet and Lorre were the images I had in mind, and I
assumed the book had been written in the Forties. Certainly
not in the Twenties. I guess I've read the novel a half dozen
times since then and, even though I know better, it always
stays in the wrong period. So, seeing Cortez' oily hair and
sleazy lounge lizard manner is something of a revelation,
because that's probably closer to the way Hammett saw Spade
than Bogart was. Yes, I know Hammett preferred the Huston
version. Anybody would, especially the author. But when it
comes to physically resembling the kind of guy who'd sleep
with his partner's wife and whom people would assume to be
more crooked than he is, Cortez has it all over Bogart.
Aside from that, the movie is almost as faithful to the novel
as the Huston version. Some of the changes -- like Miles
Archer being aware that Spade is having an affair with his
wife -- are interesting, while others -- Spade having a
romantic relationship with Effie -- not so good.
Dick Lochte
Brian Thornton wrote:
"I don't recall much about the Ricardo Cortez version
plot-wise, because I was utterly distracted by the wooden
acting of the less-than-stellar cast. On the other hand, it
is entertaining to watch them, knowing what the story was in
store for once Huston got his hands on in, first as
screenwriter, then as director."
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