Watch The Falcon Strikes Back For Free

Beautiful, moving film.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Director: EDWARD DMYTRYK. Screenplay: Edward Dein, Gerald Geraghty. Story: Stuart Palmer. Based on characters created by Michael Arlen. Photography: Jack McKenzie. Film editor: George Crone. Art directors: Albert S. D'Agostino, Walter E. Keller. Set decorators: Darrell Silvera, William Stevens. Costumes: Renie. Assistant director: James Casey. Music director: Constantin Bakaleinikoff. Music composed by Roy Webb. Sound recording: Jean L. Speak. RCA Sound System. Producer: Maurice Geraghty (brother of the screenwriter). Copyright 7 May 1943 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Palace: 1 April 1943. U.S. release: 7 May 1943. Australian release: 14 October 1943. 6,008. 66 minutes.NOTES: Number 5 of the 16 "Falcon" pictures, and the only one to be directed by Edward Dmytryk. COMMENT: The cast is four times more appealing and the direction about twice as inventive as the plot, — a lot of meaningless waffle about stolen war bonds. A surfeit of dialogue further burdens the story-line, though it does provide opportunities for a grand array of character players to sloop through their paces. Dmytryk's direction is likewise smooth, though it only really rouses the rafters in the action spots, e.g. the long tracking shot of Rita Corday swimming the length of the pool; the camera in the driver's seat of a speeding station wagon; the business with the Velma Dawson Puppets, including a "Goofy" puppet, courtesy of Walt Disney. Production values are high by "B" standards, with excellent camera- work and sets.

The Falcon films with George Sanders were mostly very enjoyable, with only 'The Falcon's Brother' being lacking. Tom Conway's first solo outing in the title role is one of the better films in the Falcon series, and Conway is every bit as good as his brother.Faults are few. It is agreed that the murderer's alibi is a bit on the feeble side and arouses suspicion somewhat at that point. There are two exceptions to an otherwise great cast. One is Harriet Hilliard (or Harriet Nelson), who comes over as a stiff and one-note actress in a pretty limited role. The other is Cliff Clark, who mugs in a buffoonish manner, makes one miss James Gleason who would have been a much better choice.Conway however is perfectly cast, bringing the very same qualities to the character that Sanders did and is very clearly enjoying himself. Cliff Edwards is amusingly solid as Goldie (the character making a welcome return after being sorely missed in 'The Falcon's Brother'), a worthy replacement for the admittedly still superior Allen Jenkins. Jane Randolph and Rita Corday are very charming support, and Edgar Kennedy proves in his splendidly malevolent performance that he is much more than a slapstick stooge. Edward Gargan's material is much stronger here, and he's fun.Advantaging them all the way are the playful, crackling script, an absorbing story that balances humorous comedy with suspenseful mystery (if occasionally rushed, which is the fault of the short running time) and superior direction from Edward Dmytryk. Production values-wise, 'The Falcon Strikes Back' is slick and atmospheric, and the music lively.On the whole, very entertaining film and one of the best of the series. Conway's first solo outing couldn't have been a better one. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Tom Lawrence gets off to a good start on his own as he wakes up with a hangover but with a sexy Latino lady standing over his bed. Mia Bruger is her name and she tells the Falcon of her concern for her missing brother. He meets her later to discuss the matter but someone knocks him out. He wakes up later on a country road in the backseat of his car with little knowledge of where he is. When he is arrested for a bank robbery and a murder, Lawrence works put that he has been set up and goes on the lamb to solve the crime and why he was set up.In his first film on his own, Tom Conway opens with a typically suave turn in bed, hungover from his night on the town and waking with a beautiful woman in his room. From here the plot moves well to set up the mystery. It isn't a gripping thriller but it holds the interest by having enough going on and sufficient plot twists occur to help keep the pace up throughout. Much more enjoyable than the previous entry (Falcon's Brother) in this regard, the film is well written and well delivered.After a so-so start in the last film, Conway seems like he was made for the role and within a few seconds of the first scene he is into it and great fun. His detecting skills are on show and he mixes them well with a debonair delivery and screen presence – the memory of Sanders slipped from my mind. Hilliard works well alongside him but, unusually for the series, there are quite a few strong female performances from Randolph, Gibson and Corday. After Lefty in the last film we get Goldie returning but this time played by Edwards. It is a basic turn and not as funny as I would have liked. Better comic support value comes from the pairing of Clark and Gargan (straight man and stupid man respectively); the simple comic scenes involving them are not imaginative but they do provide a few laughs.Overall then a good entry in the series that is much more assured than The Falcon's Brother had been the year before. Consistent and with a good pace the film benefits from solid characters and good performances to produce a typically enjoyable film in this famous b-movie series.

Always enjoyed the Falcon series and especially the acting of Tom Conway who acted his part with great easy and especially since he was on his own in this second Falcon film. In the first series, his brother in real life was George Sanders who played a role with Tom. This film is a typical B film, however, there were great veteran actresses like Harriet Hillard,(Gwynne Gregory), Jane Randolph(Marcia Brooks), and Richard Loo,(Jerry), "The Bamboo Prison",'54, who gave a great supporting role. Richard Loo was famous for his vicious roles as a horrible Japanese Soldier in many WWII films. If you would like to see a very entertaining B film from the past, this is the film for YOU!