
The first film in the Falcon series was enjoyable enough that we thought we’d move onward to entry two. Above is a poster for A Date with the Falcon, which premiered today in 1942. In this one a scientist has developed a method for synthesizing diamonds, putting him on the radar of crooks who covet the formula and are willing to use kidnapping and coercion to get it. George Sanders, reprising his sleuth role from the first film, is known and feared by the gangsters, so they approach him with the goal of bringing him into the fold. When he refuses they try to kill him, but the Falcon is not someone with whom to trifle.
Wendy Barrie reprises her role from the first Falcon, but unfortunately the running gag of Sanders being an irresistible ladykiller going through serial betrothals made the filmmakers turn her from the game girl Friday she was in installment one into a longsuffering complainer. We understand the idea that hanging with Sanders does that to women, and her complaining is not remotely near the pitch it should be, considering what she’s put through, but for entertainment purposes it disappointed us. Still, that’s a minor point. With the quips and action, plus the irrepressible Sanders panache, A Date with the Falcon is an appointment to keep.











































