The Falcon film series is generally a lot of fun to watch, and all worth watching at least once. The first of the series 'The Gay Falcon' is also one of the better ones from personal opinion.
It maybe could have benefited from being about 10 minutes longer or something, to give the mystery aspects a little more explanation instead of a few parts being hastier and not as easy to follow as others. This said, that is very much a minor complaint compared to how good the rest of 'The Gay Falcon' is.
When it comes to the production values, while not among the most visually stunning films ever made (then again 'The Gay Falcon' is not that kind of film), 'The Gay Falcon' is very meticulously filmed and lit with sets that are elegant and atmospheric. The music is lively and haunting, while the direction solid, the script is witty and smart and the story a vast majority of the time very engrossing and never incoherent or a test for endurance. The characters are also a lot of fun, apart from a few of the time racial stereotypes, but they are not in the film anywhere near long enough to mar it.
George Sanders is a truly great lead, he was never less than watchable and magnificent when at his best, and he looks so relaxed and at ease here and plays with his usual suave and imposing manner while also with an elegance, cutting aplomb and charm. Nina Vale is alluring and Wendy Barrie has a ball.
Edward Brophy, Arthur Shields, Turhan Bey and Gladys Cooper also give fine support. Coming very close to stealing the film is Allen Jenkins, who is very funny and often even more so and makes the most and much of a rather standard comedy sidekick role in hindsight.
All in all, great start to a series with much entertainment value on the most part. 8/10 Bethany Cox
It maybe could have benefited from being about 10 minutes longer or something, to give the mystery aspects a little more explanation instead of a few parts being hastier and not as easy to follow as others. This said, that is very much a minor complaint compared to how good the rest of 'The Gay Falcon' is.
When it comes to the production values, while not among the most visually stunning films ever made (then again 'The Gay Falcon' is not that kind of film), 'The Gay Falcon' is very meticulously filmed and lit with sets that are elegant and atmospheric. The music is lively and haunting, while the direction solid, the script is witty and smart and the story a vast majority of the time very engrossing and never incoherent or a test for endurance. The characters are also a lot of fun, apart from a few of the time racial stereotypes, but they are not in the film anywhere near long enough to mar it.
George Sanders is a truly great lead, he was never less than watchable and magnificent when at his best, and he looks so relaxed and at ease here and plays with his usual suave and imposing manner while also with an elegance, cutting aplomb and charm. Nina Vale is alluring and Wendy Barrie has a ball.
Edward Brophy, Arthur Shields, Turhan Bey and Gladys Cooper also give fine support. Coming very close to stealing the film is Allen Jenkins, who is very funny and often even more so and makes the most and much of a rather standard comedy sidekick role in hindsight.
All in all, great start to a series with much entertainment value on the most part. 8/10 Bethany Cox