The Maltese Falcon

Daisy's story is below the poster.

The Maltese Falcon was John Huston's first time as a director, having previously been been a screen writer. He planned meticulously and story-boarded each scene in the film, so much of the time, the first take was all that was needed. That often gave the cast and crew free time in the afternoons, and many became good friends.

Humphrey Bogart liked to hang out with Huston and Peter Lorre off set because he said they were entertaining and "could drink like fish." Daisy liked Elisha Cook Jr. who played Wilmer Cook in the film. He held the Hollywood social scene in low regard and was calm, quiet, and an avid outdoorsman who like to tie flies and fish. The fishing part appealed to Daisy.

The cast knew they had a very special film, so everyone was very protective of the film and developed a system to discourage sight seers from lingering or even visiting the set. Huston had signals for different practical jokes that he would call out when people were brought to the set to watch the filming.

A #5 meant Humphrey Bogart and Sydney Greenstreet would get into an loud argument with Bogart yelling and cursing at Greenstreet for upstaging him.

A #10 had Peter Lorre coming out of Mary Astor's dressing room at the appropriate moment, adjusting his fly, and saying, "See you later, Mary."

Daisy's favorite was a #7 where she would jump up on a table, and knock over a plaster Maltese Falcon causing it to shatter on the floor. Elisha Cook Jr. would then yell, "I'm going to kill that damn cat," pull out a knife, and the two would run off of the set.

It didn't take long before the studio's p.r. people and tour guides stopped bringing visitors to the set, which is what Huston, the cast, and the crew intended.