Hammett's murder mystery novel had previously been filmed twice:The Maltese Falcon (1931), a low-budget, pre-Code film (directed by Roy Del Ruth)-renamed for TV asDangerous Female- with Ricardo Cortez as the gumshoe opposite femme fatale Bebe Daniels; it was faithful to Hammett's novel, although its pre-censorship status allowed for steamier scenes (a nude bathtub shot, a portrayal of Spade as a womanizing Latin lover, and a clearly homosexual relationship between Casper "Fat Man" Gutman (Dudley Digges) and 'fall guy' Wilmer (Dwight Frye))Satan Met a Lady (1936), a remake directed by William Dieterle) with Warren William and rising star Bette Davis as the femme fatale, but without the 'black bird' (a ram's horn was substituted)Huston was convinced that he could remake the film with a more precise screenplay and better acting than the other two adaptations." A detective in the Asian Task Force translated the term "renminbi" into "people's money" or Chinese currency, and identified Ku as a ruthless member of the Chinese Triad, but didn't know anything about the reference to "forefathers" (or ancestors).Rhodes threatened to evacuate the "rotting, stinking sewer" and leave the scientists there, but Dr.Logan retaliated: "They have you in a hopeless situation, strategically.You're lost...unless you can make them behave," and he spoke of "progress" in keeping the zombies in check and controlling them." Mary contends that she has told only part of her story, and then explains that Frankenstein's Monster (Boris Karloff) did not perish, but actually survived the fire that destroyed the blazing old windmill in the first film:Mary: That wasn't the end at all.They fought off the Nine Ringwraiths and appeared to conquer and banish hem, while she attempted to revive Gandalf with a energy-draining kiss as she implored him to awaken: "Mithrandir, come back.