"The Black Bird" is both a sequel to and spoof of "The Maltese Falcon" and is also its own entity.
Sam Spade's son (George Segal) has inherited his father's detective business, and harridan secretary (Lee Patrick, who has some of the best lines). Suddenly a lot of people are showing interest in the Maltese Falcon, which Spade knows to be phoney.
Spade must elude Hawaiian assassins and National Socialialist midgets (his word) and others (including Playboy Playmate Connie Kreski) to protect his life when all around him people are dropping like flies. And he's in a running Battle with a less than helpful helper (Lionel Stander).
It's offensive all around. Certainly not PC. I was offended by it myself, but I'm a big boy who can roll with it.
It's also hilarious. Segal's Spade isn't so much a detective as a pinball bouncing from one acquisitive group to another. He's the definition of "hapless."
The ending is a cop-out, but what're you going to do?
If you're easily offended or if the original "Falcon" is some sort of holy writ to you: stay away. You have been warned. Otherwise, you may enjoy this.
Sam Spade's son (George Segal) has inherited his father's detective business, and harridan secretary (Lee Patrick, who has some of the best lines). Suddenly a lot of people are showing interest in the Maltese Falcon, which Spade knows to be phoney.
Spade must elude Hawaiian assassins and National Socialialist midgets (his word) and others (including Playboy Playmate Connie Kreski) to protect his life when all around him people are dropping like flies. And he's in a running Battle with a less than helpful helper (Lionel Stander).
It's offensive all around. Certainly not PC. I was offended by it myself, but I'm a big boy who can roll with it.
It's also hilarious. Segal's Spade isn't so much a detective as a pinball bouncing from one acquisitive group to another. He's the definition of "hapless."
The ending is a cop-out, but what're you going to do?
If you're easily offended or if the original "Falcon" is some sort of holy writ to you: stay away. You have been warned. Otherwise, you may enjoy this.