Spade Against Dundy

The Maltese Falcon

Sam Spade and Lieutenant Dundy contest authority, evidence, and control of the murder case from the first interview to the final arrests.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Challenge The First Challenge from "The Maltese Falcon". The First Challenge A hostile interview Lieutenant Dundy and Tom Polhaus question Spade at his apartment before dawn.

The First Challenge from "The Maltese Falcon". The First Challenge A hostile interview Lieutenant Dundy and Tom Polhaus question Spade at his apartment before dawn.

The First Challenge A hostile interview Lieutenant Dundy and Tom Polhaus question Spade at his apartment before dawn. Dundy demands information about Thursby and the client. Authority rejected Spade refuses to be bullied and insists that he will speak on his own terms. The exchange establishes a rivalry that will shape every later police encounter.

A Murder Added A Murder Added from "The Maltese Falcon". A Murder Added Suspicion intensifies Dundy tells Spade that Thursby was shot shortly after Spade left the scene of Archer’s death, then challenges his…

A Murder Added from "The Maltese Falcon". A Murder Added Suspicion intensifies Dundy tells Spade that Thursby was shot shortly after Spade left the scene of Archer’s death, then challenges his…

A Murder Added Suspicion intensifies Dundy tells Spade that Thursby was shot shortly after Spade left the scene of Archer’s death, then challenges his movements and alibi. No arrest yet Spade answers with denials and questions. Dundy has suspicion but not proof, and the gap leaves both men free to pursue their own explanations.

The Apartment Standoff The Apartment Standoff from "The Maltese Falcon". The Apartment Standoff Entry refused Dundy and Polhaus arrive while Spade is with Brigid and Cairo.

The Apartment Standoff from "The Maltese Falcon". The Apartment Standoff Entry refused Dundy and Polhaus arrive while Spade is with Brigid and Cairo.

The Apartment Standoff Entry refused Dundy and Polhaus arrive while Spade is with Brigid and Cairo. Spade blocks the door and refuses to let them enter without a warrant. A call breaks the impasse Cairo’s shout for help gives Dundy an opening to enter. The competing accounts inside the apartment let Spade redirect the encounter into an implausible shared joke.

A Blow in the Room A Blow in the Room from "The Maltese Falcon". A Blow in the Room Provocation escalates Dundy strikes Spade after Spade mocks the attempted arrest. Polhaus prevents a fight from spreading across the room.

A Blow in the Room from "The Maltese Falcon". A Blow in the Room Provocation escalates Dundy strikes Spade after Spade mocks the attempted arrest. Polhaus prevents a fight from spreading across the room.

A Blow in the Room Provocation escalates Dundy strikes Spade after Spade mocks the attempted arrest. Polhaus prevents a fight from spreading across the room. A tactical victory Spade recognizes that Dundy has lost control and lets the detectives leave without surrendering his position. Their conflict remains personal as well as investigative.

A Shared Arrest Result A Shared Arrest Result from "The Maltese Falcon". A Shared Arrest Result Evidence passed over Spade gives the police the identities of the murderers and directs them toward the guns and the other evidence.

A Shared Arrest Result from "The Maltese Falcon". A Shared Arrest Result Evidence passed over Spade gives the police the identities of the murderers and directs them toward the guns and the other evidence.

A Shared Arrest Result Evidence passed over Spade gives the police the identities of the murderers and directs them toward the guns and the other evidence. Rivalry remains Dundy’s investigative failure and the outcome of Gutman’s group do not erase the hostility between him and Spade. Spade still needles him even as the authorities take custody of the suspects.

Early morning after Archer’s murder

During the same interview

The night Cairo calls for help

Minutes after the false story is agreed

The final morning