Maps of Movies

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Where The Maltese Falcon says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The film is set in San Francisco, but almost none of it was shot there.

Scenes and places

Spade and Archer's office (1941)

Ruth Wonderly walks into the agency with a tale about a runaway sister. Spade and his partner Archer take the job without suspecting any of it is invented.

Set in Spade and Archer detective office, San Francisco — The detective agency where Ruth Wonderly walks in with a story about her missing sister. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A single film-walk page links the office to 111 Sutter Street, a building whose Wikipedia article gives the coordinates used here.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Where Archer is shot (1941)

That night the police tell Spade that Archer has been killed. The easy job from the afternoon now has a body attached.

Set in Bush Street and Burritt Alley, San Francisco — A call tells Spade that his partner has been shot in a San Francisco street.

A plaque in Burritt Alley, where it meets Bush Street, marks the spot from Hammett's book.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Spade's apartment (1941)

Back home, Spade is grilled by Detective Polhaus and Lieutenant Dundy, who suggest he had reason to kill the man who killed Archer.

Set in Spade's apartment, San Francisco — The apartment where two detectives question Spade about two murders.

The book gives the address as 891 Post Street, which a single film-walk page repeats.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Cairo pulls a gun on Spade (1941)

Joel Cairo offers Spade $5,000 for a black figure of a bird. When Spade doubts him, Cairo pulls a gun, and Spade knocks him out.

Set in Spade and Archer detective office, San Francisco — The office where Joel Cairo offers Spade five thousand dollars for a statuette. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The same office set as the opening scene.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Cairo's hotel (1941)

Spade goes to Cairo's hotel and spots the young man who tailed him the night before, the first sign of the Fat Man's circle.

Set in Hotel Belvedere, San Francisco — The hotel where Cairo says he is staying, and where Spade spots Wilmer.

Cairo gives the Hotel Belvedere, room 635, in the film; a film-walk page puts it at 501 Geary Street, but another site says it is unclear it ever existed.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Gutman's hotel suite (1941)

In his suite Gutman tells Spade the history of the falcon and offers him a share of the sale. Spade's drink is spiked.

Set in Gutman's hotel suite, San Francisco — The suite where Kasper Gutman tells Spade the history of the Maltese Falcon.

No source names the hotel for this scene.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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The burning ship at the dock (1941)

A circled arrival time in Gutman's newspaper sends Spade to the dock, where the ship is burning.

Set in Waterfront pier, San Francisco — The dock where Spade finds the freighter La Paloma on fire.

One blog places the pier on the Embarcadero; no coordinates were found.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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The captain staggers in (1941)

Captain Jacoby, shot several times, staggers into Spade's office clutching a bundle. It holds the Maltese Falcon.

Set in Spade and Archer detective office, San Francisco — The office where the wounded captain of La Paloma delivers a bundle. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The same office set as the opening scene.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Spade stashes the bundle (1941)

Spade leaves the package at the bus terminal before following the address he was given.

Set in Bus terminal, San Francisco — The terminal where Spade leaves the package.

No source identifies a real terminal for this scene.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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The address that leads nowhere (1941)

Spade follows the address from the screaming phone call and finds only an empty lot.

Set in Ancho Street address, Burlingame — The address Spade is given turns out to be an empty lot.

In the film Spade asks a driver for Ancho Street in Burlingame; no real location was found.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studio lot, Burbank — Filmed on a Warner Bros. studio set in Burbank; the exact stage is not stated in the sources. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Characters

• Sam Spade — A San Francisco private detective whose partner is killed on the first night.
• Brigid O'Shaughnessy — A client who first calls herself Ruth Wonderly.
• Joel Cairo — A visitor who offers money for a black figure of a bird.
• Kasper Gutman — The "Fat Man" who wants the falcon.

Questions answered on the map

• Was The Maltese Falcon actually filmed in San Francisco?