MovieChat Forums > The Maltese Falcon (1941) Discussion > All of the male antagonists were homosex...

All of the male antagonists were homosexual?


All of the references to homosexuality went completely over my head the first time I watched this but now having watched it a second time, I don't know how I could have missed them.

Stop me if I'm wrong: From what I understand and what I've read, Cairo, Gutman and Wilmer were all homosexual. Though it is never explicitly stated, it is implied through action and dialogue many times throughout the film.

The implications of this range from subtle things to Cairo's perfume scented business cards to Gutman putting his hand on Sam's thigh. Of course the most prominent and infamous of the homosexual references is Sam's use of the insult "gunsel" directed at Wilmer. I initially thought, just as the censors did...that it was simply a word for a man who used a gun, when actually it implies something far more risque. Isn't that interesting?

I guess the first time viewing it I was so caught up in trying to follow the plot, I totally missed everything that pointed to this.

From a historical stand point, I just find this fascinating.

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Yes, and it's much clearer in Hammet's original story, and rough I haven't seen it, the previous film version.

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