The Maltese Falcon
This faithful adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s private eye mystery—the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Huston—was actually the third film version that Warner Bros. had produced in 10 years, but was such an immediate classic that no one has dared attempt to film it again in the eight decades since. The film earned nominations for Best Picture, Huston’s screenplay, and the supporting performance of Sydney Greenstreet, making his film debut, part of an impeccable cast led by Humphrey Bogart in the role that helped secure his permanent stardom.