LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 1941 murder mystery, “The Maltese Falcon,” starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Entry to the film is by donation.

Many film historians consider “The Maltese Falcon” the first in the film noir genre. It put down the foundations for that moody, black and white image of mean streets, knife-edged heroes, dark shadows and tough dames.

Based on Dashiell Hammett’s detective classic, the film is also noted for John Huston’s directorial debut and Sydney Greenstreet’s first film role.

Then there’s Humphrey Bogart who rose to stardom as the hard-boiled San Francisco private eye, Sam Spade.

The film received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Greenstreet, and Best Screenplay for Huston.

The movie is sponsored by Mo Carpenter and by Carpenter & Carpenter. Rated PG. Run time is 1 hour and 41 minutes.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com .