This is the sixth of the Falcon series. In this film, the humour is largely abandoned except for a few gags, and concentration is given instead to producing a good straight mystery thriller. (Contrary to what the plot synopsis for this film says, it does not involve a plot against the government. There is no espionage in this story.) The film opens with a wonderful scene where a plane crash-lands at an airfield and is found to be empty of both pilots and passengers (reminiscent of the initial scene of the film 'Mr. Arkadin' by Orson Welles). The story is complex and baffling, so as a whodunit and a howdunit the film is excellent. Plenty of colour is added to the film by the Falcon's current 'fiancee', played by Amelita Ward with an authentic (rather than phoney) Texas accent as a loud and blundering Southern belle who constantly wants to ride her horse but rides the Falcon instead, relentlessly, until at the end he gets rid of her by sending her a false telegram in which her old boy friend asks her to marry him instead. There are some good villains and pretend-villains, numerous red herrings, and plenty of other fish to fry. A fun afternoon's viewing on a rainy day, and a worthy series entry.
Review of The Falcon in Danger
