A statuette of the Maltese Falcon used in the eponymous film was sold at a New York auction recently for a remarkable US$4.08 million.
The auction was conducted by Bonhams in cooperation with Turner Classic Movies.
The auction house did not provide a pre-sale estimate, but the winning bid, which the anonymous buyer made via telephone, is thought to have been at the high end of estimates.
Two statuettes of the falcon were made for the 1941 movie that starred Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor, but only one appeared in the film.
The film, which is widely credited as being the first film noir, marked John Huston’s directing debut.
According to Bonhams, markings on the statuette auctioned, particularly a small dent from where the statuette was dropped, can be matched to the one on film.
Catherine Williamson, the director of Bonhams’ entertainment memorabilia department, said the eye-popping sale price could be explained by the statuette’s “tremendous significance”.
“The Maltese Falcon is arguably the most important movie prop ever and is central to the history of cinema,” she said.
Bonhams’ description of the statuette said it had “some scratches to head and chest, lower right tail feather visibly bent”.
It added: “Given the exact visual match to the film, the extensive archival evidence, and the long exhibition history of WB 90067 [the Warner Brothers inventory number etched into the base], its authenticity is beyond reproach.”
The 12-inch-tall prop was bought privately by its previous owner in the 1980s and was occasionally exhibited at the Warner Brothers museum.
Along with his or her purchase, the new unnamed owner also received a DVD copy of the film, so the person is unlikely to need a recollection of the film’s last lines (via IMDb), no matter how apt they still seem.
Detective Tom Polhaus: [picks up the falcon] Heavy. What is it?
Sam Spade: The, uh, stuff that dreams are made of.
Polhaus: Huh?
ascott@thenational.ae
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
