O Falcão e as Estudantes

Because this entry starred so many girls and women it was one of my daughter's favourite Falcon's when very young, and I agree it does have some nice scenery in it. There were plenty of feminine things to relate to here, with brooding dark mystery and a frisson of the romantic paranormal – always a hit with the ladies. Also comic banter par excellence between the murders, between the leads.

Tom (the Falcon) Lawrence gets called upon to investigate the death of a teacher at Bluecliff Seminary for girls, and uncovers a seething nest of unrest. His elderly presence at the school has the hep young ladies in a flutter as well as the shifty teachers. The buildings and grounds are beautifully and atmospherically photographed – after all, this was RKO's best period with films like Magnificent Ambersons, I Walked With A Zombie and Seventh Victim etc, so why not some of the sadly neglected Falcon series as well? This time Inspector Why Timothy! Cliff Clark and stalwart sidekick Ed Gargan aren't chasing the Falcon to nail him for the murders but to help him clear it all up albeit with a battery of badinage, a refreshing change.

One of the best entries in the series imho, pleasant entertainment with nothing heavy in it thankfully and thus thoroughly recommended to fans; but if you didn't like this I wouldn't recommend any of the others to you unless you're masochistic.

At the end of The Falcon in Danger, a female college student shows up and asks for his help. This movie seems to continue that story but also forgets that scene even took place. Here, a different college student asks the Falcon for help investigating a murder her psychic roommate predicted would happen.

Because it wouldn't be a Falcon movie without pretty women, this one has plenty. The most prominent are Amelita Ward, Jean Brooks, Isabel Jewell, and Rita Corday as the girl with supposed psychic abilities. Ward played the Falcon's irritating Southern belle fiancée in the last picture. Here she's much better (without the accent) as the girl who asks the Falcon for help. Cliff Clark and Edward Gargan return as Inspector Donovan and his sidekick Bates. Both are fun. The scene stealers of the movie are the three girls playing The Three Ughs (Nancy McCollum and the Alvarez sisters, Ruth and Juanita). They're absolutely delightful.

The whole cast is good, even those playing minor parts. Star Tom Conway is, of course, as debonair as ever. He seems to really be enjoying himself in this one. The college setting and cast of mostly young women brings a fresh energy to the series and Conway's performance in particular. It's possibly my favorite of the series and certainly the best starring Conway.

Tom Conway is The Falcon in "The Falcon and the Co-eds," a 1943 addition to the serial that also featured several recognizable actresses who appeared in B movies - Rita Corday, Isabel Jewell and Jean Brooks. Dorothy Malone is a co-ed and is uncredited.

After a young woman appeals to Tom Lawrence (The Falcon) for help at her school, Bluecliff, where one suspicious death has taken place and a psychic student has predicted another one, she steals Tom's car to get him out to the school. Once there, he meets an interesting group of people, some of whom have secrets and others who act suspiciously. As foretold, another murder takes place, and it's up to The Falcon to sort things out. He usually does so before the police.

This is a pretty good mystery with some obvious stealing from the film "Rebecca," particularly the monologue about the sea that came right out of Danvers' mouth - and for the same purpose as here. There is also an overabundance of establishing shots of the sea and its high waves. However, it's still an enjoyable film. Tom Lawrence is without an annoying fiancée, instead being followed around by three young women, the Ughs, who help him out as well as sing. Frankly, I prefer them.

Conway isn't as smooth and debonair as his brother, George Sanders, but like his brother he has a beautiful speaking voice, is an attractive man, and flirts like crazy. His Falcon is more straightforward, and he's very likable. This is a very good series that always gives the viewer a relaxing hour-plus of watching.

Tom Lawrence investigates a mysterious death at a school for young ladies.

The Falcon and the Co-eds is an enjoyable enough film, and I preferred it to The Falcon in Hollywood. The film has some supernatural elements, and feels a bit like a Val Lewton film; cast members Tom Conway, Jean Brooks and Isabel Jewell all appeared in various Lewton films. Of the supporting cast, Brooks is quite good, and Amelita Ward was good also. Dorothy Malone and Ian Wolfe also appeared in uncredited roles.

This was the first of the Falcon mystery series for me, and I found it very refreshing and entertaining. I've always appreciated the wonderful humor and wit of so many of the films of the forties, particularly the detective movies. And while this b-movie may not offer the seriousness or artistic styling that the film noir mystery genre of the era may have, it proves itself a wonderful way to spend an evening. The twists and turns of the plot are clever, but it is the acting and characters that really stand out. Conway brings a brilliant assuredness to the character of the Falcon which instantly reminded me of all my favorite British detectives -- a bit suave and yet self-effacing, calm, cool, and collected and yet not infallible. Furthermore, Bluecliff offered a enchanting and endearing look at a variety of memorable female characters, each playing off one another well and making a lovely counterpoint to the more reserved nature of the adults. The 3 Ughs are one of the great highlights of this film! All in all, a very fun film and one that has inspired me to watch even more of the Falcon series.