Re: Maltese falcon

Posted by Bruce Kahl on February 04, 2001

In Reply to: Maltese falcon posted by J. O'Neill on February 04, 2001

: In the movie the Maltese Falcon, Humphrey Bogart uses the phrase: six two and even.

: Anyone know what that means? Thank you.

The full quote is: "Six, two and even, they're selling you out, sonny."
The phrase refers to odds in a bet.

The quote is said by Sam Spade to Gutman after Gutman has tied up Sam.
Gutman threatens to kill Sam if he doesn't give up the location of the bird.
Gutman and his friends are on shaky ground and Sam says:

"If you kill me, how are you gonna get the bird? And if I know you can't afford to kill me, how are you gonna scare me into giving it to you?..."

Gutman thinks about it and realizes that his "friends" are probably going to give HIM up so he strikes a deal with Sam.

Another great line from the flick:

Polhaus picks up the falcon:
Detective Tom Polhaus: Heavy. What is it?
Sam Spade: The, uh, stuff that dreams are made of.
Detective Tom Polhaus: Huh?

I also saw your phrase used this way: "Six, two and even---over and out", as like a radio sign off a la Dick Tracy.

• Internet Movie Database