The Falcon Takes Over is a 1942 film that's based on the Raymond Chandler novel Farewell, My Lovely. It's got a script by Raymond Chandler. Both director Irving Reis and star George Sanders return for the third time. George plays gentleman detective Gay Lawrence, Allen Jenkins plays The Falcon's sidekick Goldie Locke, James Gleason is Inspector Mike O'Hara and Edward Gargan is Detective Bates.
Ward Bond plays Moose Malloy, a hulking brute, who's slow on the uptake. He's bust out of jail so he can look for his gal Velma. She's the blonde in the picture above. She's trouble and that trouble is bad for poor Moose. He was a sad dude, too stupid to know when to quit looking for trouble. Hans Conried has been in all three Falcon films so far, all smallish parts, but entertaining. It's nice to see him. Turhan Bey plays the sleazy Jules Amthor. He's another actor that I like a lot.
The Falcon spends the movie trying to go away with his fiancé but it never happens. Murders and dames are two thing he can't resist. Even at the end of the film the Falcon is distracted by a gaggle of show girls who've been arrested. It just seems obvious to him that they need his help. The script cuts the novel to the bare bones. It will get a much better adaptation in the 1944 film Murder, My Sweet with Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe. That's a much better film but this one is fun enough for what it is. It's nice and bright and snappy and I got a few laughs spending some time with the Falcon and Goldie. Pleasant company is always appreciated.