The Maltese Falcon is the Tickle Me Elmo of the 1940s. Certain people will trample you, sell you out, or set a cargo ship on fire to get their grubby mitts on it.
The difference between the Falcon and Tickle Me Elmo is that there's only one Maltese Falcon, so it has significant value…or at least so we thought. Gutman ends up with a counterfeit Falcon, meaning his quest might never come to an end. Like a knock-off Tickle My Elbow doll, the counterfeit is completely worthless.
Questions about Greed
- Why does Gutman want the statue? Is Gutman rich already? What do you think his social status is?
- Does Spade only take the case so he can get paid, or does he have other motives?
- Is Brigid only interested in keeping the statue for herself? Why does she ultimately agree to share the statue with Gutman and Cairo? What does she get out of the deal?
Chew on This
Some people, like Brigid and Cairo, are after the Falcon because of its monetary value. Gutman, however, appears to be in it for the thrill of the chase.
Spade is a man who is greedy not for wealth, but for love, or maybe lust. He takes his partner's wife, and he would rather have Brigid instead of the Falcon…at least until the end of the movie.