MovieChat Forums > The Maltese Falcon (1931) Discussion > Wilmer 'The Gunsel'

Wilmer 'The Gunsel'

posted 16 years ago by Harold_Robbins
1 reply | jump to latest

Considering that in this version Wilmer is played by Dwight Frye, who excelled at off-kilter characters, it's a pity they didn't make more use of Wilmer as Huston did in his version - the potential was there, as Frye was every bit as creepy as Elisha Cook Jr.

"Stone-cold sober I find myself absolutely fascinating!"---Katharine Hepburn

[–] Skye_Reynolds 15 years ago

Personally, I think it's a shame that Frye didn't get the dialog that Cook did. He certainly had the better look for the part. Cook came across as a boy trying to prove he was a man. Frye came across as mentally unhinged.

Of course, that's nothing new for Mr. Renfield.