The Falcon and the Co-eds (1943)

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.