The Falcon in San Francisco (1945)

This is a really good 1940's mystery, of that type which mixes some humor and warmth with the tough stuff. The plot is a little complicated, but it does make sense and, after all, this is a MYSTERY. Viewers will often complain if they can "figure it out" in the first ten minutes; when they can't, they complain it's too hard to follow. This is definitely one where you have to show some patience and wait for the clues to unfold. One of the points I liked about this movie is, you find yourself questioning: who is so-and-so? Are they who they claim to be? Here, I found myself suspecting different people. That is the mark of a very good mystery! The San Francisco settings are very nice. It's always a treat when a studio picture of the 1930's or 1940's gets out of the sound stage and takes you someplace interesting, like San Francisco. Tom Conway is excellent as the Falcon. He has an easy, understated charm. He comes across as a guy you would like to have for a pal. The supporting cast is solid. And, the ending is terrific! Worthy of film noir, which this picture is not, having a frequently light, wry tone. But gosh--that ending!

The Falcon films, both with George Sanders and Tom Conway in the lead role, are on the most part very enjoyable. There are some very good ones like the first two Sanders Falcon films and 'The Falcon Strikes Back', though also a few disappointments like 'The Falcon in Danger' and 'The Falcon in Mexico'.On the most part, 'The Falcon in San Francisco' is for me one of Conway's better later and overall Falcon films. It is one of the series' most stylish and funniest, and also the series at its earthiest and most violent. Most of the film works very well indeed, but the story does get a little convoluted later and ends abruptly. A few of Edward Brophy's comic shenanigans are a touch overdone too.However, a lot also does work. The music is lively and haunting enough, and on the most part the production values are slick and atmospheric with particularly nicely done photography. A new director is on board here, courtesy of Joseph H Lewis in his sole Falcon outing, and it is a very stylish and energetic directing job. Further advantages are a very playful script with dialogue that crackles with wit and some of the series' funniest and a mostly absorbing story that is never less than bright, breezy and fun with some suspense and great twists and turns.Conway is dapper, suave, charismatic and amusingly cutting here, he always thrived in the title role and 'The Falcon in San Francisco' is evidence of that. Rita Corday brings plenty of allure, Edward Brophy is on the most part very funny and his comic relief is more than welcome and Sharyn Moffett is charming and vulnerable without ever falling into any of the obvious traps that child performers can do.All in all, solid fun and one of the better later films of the series and one of Conway's best. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is a movie that can be enjoyed on a superficial level, but if you think too much about the plot it might just give you a headache. That's because the plot often just doesn't make much sense--particularly the far-fetched ending.Tom Conway plays his usual dapper role as Tom Lawrence ("The Falcon") and the film is greatly improved by having his old sidekick ("Goldy", played by Eddie Brophy). For some reason, while earlier Falcon films always featured a sidekick, for quite a few of Conway's film the sidekick had disappeared--making the films a bit flat and needing an infusion of humor. Also, fortunately, there is no ditsy female to clutter up the film. The female leads in THE FALCON IN Hollywood and several other previous films were just awful--playing both love interests and comic relief. However, they all just came off as annoying. Fortunately, Goldy is not annoying but provided able support--as did the cute little kid who appeared in the film. Often, cute kids are detriments to a film but here she infuses a nice new element to the film.While I could TRY to explain the film, frankly it didn't make all that much sense to me and I am sure it would only confuse you if I tried! It was that convoluted! For fans of the series, this is a good and welcome addition to the series. But for others, it's probably not going to make them fans of the Falcon films.

I watched this expecting, given the budget limitations of B-picture series, to see only a few "establishing shots" of San Francisco from stock footage, but a surprising number of scenes appear actually to have been shot on location -- or were at least very convincingly matted. Even more impressive is the film's rather successful grasp of San Francisco atmosphere. Too-handsome tough guys, a twisted dame with a streak of brutality, a gloomy Nob Hill mansion, and details like the extras in the nightclub scene and the furnishings in the dame's apartment are all done quite as well as in the higher-budgeted "Out of the Past." Some continuity elements seem to have been left on the cutting room floor, as in other RKO noirs, but to good effect, and it is obvious the bit players (including Dorothy Adams) were carefully chosen. Better preserved than some of the Falcon pictures, this one merits attention beyond the context of the series.