A cynical private eye becomes entangled with a gang of dangerous criminals trying to find a fabled ram's horn.
SATAN MET A LADY is an alternate movie version of Dashiell Hammett's Maltese Falcon' and has received much criticism because it isn't closer to the Bogart model. This is unfortunate, as the film has much going for it and should not be placed into unfair comparison with the more famous film. Here is a lighthearted, comedic take on the story, full of snappy dialogue and a few good laughs. It is quite able to stand on its own.
Although she receives top billing, Bette Davis is rather overshadowed by the over-the-top acting of her costars. Her mystery woman character gets to act suitably dangerous, but her talent is seldom really engaged. Indeed, this would be one of the films which would soon put Davis into rebellion against Warner Bros. in her demand for better roles.
Warren William plays detective Ted Shayne (no Sam Spade here) in a wonderfully sardonic manner, always ready to puncture the balloons of pomposity around him, whether they be from client, criminal or cop; here he even turns a graveyard murder site into the location for a few deadpan utterances. With his patrician profile and glib delivery, William was always enjoyable to watch; it is a shame this very fine actor is so obscure today.
British character actress Alison Skipworth steals her few scenes as the elderly Madame Barabbas, the grandmotherly criminal mastermind with the looks of a sweet old lady and the instincts of a born killer. Arthur Treacher is marvelously droll as an English gentleman crook, apologetic & polite, seeking the ram's horn.
Pert & pretty, Marie Wilson scores in her role as William's ditzy secretary. Winifred Shaw plays the glamorous widow of William's late partner. An uncredited Maynard Holmes appears as Miss Skipworth's gunsel nephew.
SATAN MET A LADY is an alternate movie version of Dashiell Hammett's Maltese Falcon' and has received much criticism because it isn't closer to the Bogart model. This is unfortunate, as the film has much going for it and should not be placed into unfair comparison with the more famous film. Here is a lighthearted, comedic take on the story, full of snappy dialogue and a few good laughs. It is quite able to stand on its own.
Although she receives top billing, Bette Davis is rather overshadowed by the over-the-top acting of her costars. Her mystery woman character gets to act suitably dangerous, but her talent is seldom really engaged. Indeed, this would be one of the films which would soon put Davis into rebellion against Warner Bros. in her demand for better roles.
Warren William plays detective Ted Shayne (no Sam Spade here) in a wonderfully sardonic manner, always ready to puncture the balloons of pomposity around him, whether they be from client, criminal or cop; here he even turns a graveyard murder site into the location for a few deadpan utterances. With his patrician profile and glib delivery, William was always enjoyable to watch; it is a shame this very fine actor is so obscure today.
British character actress Alison Skipworth steals her few scenes as the elderly Madame Barabbas, the grandmotherly criminal mastermind with the looks of a sweet old lady and the instincts of a born killer. Arthur Treacher is marvelously droll as an English gentleman crook, apologetic & polite, seeking the ram's horn.
Pert & pretty, Marie Wilson scores in her role as William's ditzy secretary. Winifred Shaw plays the glamorous widow of William's late partner. An uncredited Maynard Holmes appears as Miss Skipworth's gunsel nephew.