All Hamptons’ Big Read Includes The Maltese Falcon

Peter Lorre fans in the Hamptons communities of Massachusetts – Northampton, Easthampton, Southampton and Westhampton – can enjoy a double dose of The Maltese Falcon in March and April when the Forbes Library offers discussions of the Dashiell Hammett novel and the Academy of Music Theatre presents the 1941 Warner Bros. film onscreen.

The All Hamptons Big Read has selected the 1929 novel for its Afternoon Book Discussion, held on the third Friday of every month in the Watson Room at the Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts.

The novel discussion is scheduled for the following dates and times:

March 20, Friday, 1 to 2 pm – Discussion will be held in the Watson Room of the Forbes Library, located at 20 West Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Pre-registration is not required. Drop-ins are welcome. Tea and light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, April 14, 6 to 7:30 pm – The book discussion moves off-site to “The Library Room” of Packard’s, located at 14 Masonic Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Attendees may order from the Packard’s menu.

On Sunday, April 19, the Academy of Music Theatre will present a special showing of the 1941 movie The Maltese Falcon in conjunction with the All Hamptons Big Read.

The program will begin at 4 pm with a brief introduction by Dean Flower, Smith College film studies professor. Admission is $5 for all seats – but free for anyone who attended the Forbes Library event.

Tickets may be purchased at the box office between 3 and 6 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Academy at (413) 584-9032, extension 105, or on-line through the Academy website. Services fees will be applied to these purchases.

The Academy of Music Theatre is located at 274 Main Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Parking is available in several lots around the Academy. Information about parking, as well as directions to the Academy, is available on the Academy’s website.

The Forbes Library is located 20 West Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Metered parking is available behind the library. You may also purchase a day pass at the library’s circulation desk and Children’s desk. All money deposited in the meters go to the Forbes’ book fund. Information about parking, as well as directions to the library, is available on the Forbes’ website.

Packard’s is located at 14 Masonic Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Directions are available on Packard’s website.

The Maltese Falcon was the first book in the National Endowment for the Arts "Big Read" program in October of 2003. The Big Read offers a Reader’s Guide, a Teacher’s Guide, and an Audio Guide.