Manly Extra: What is this comportment stuff?

Clarence in Spokane is confused about comportment. He was wondering if I could provide a visual example of how one comports himself in a manly manner. I suppose I could go out to Spokane and slap Clarence around a bit but if he’s the mamma’s boy I think he is, he’d probably sue me instead of taking it like a man. Plus the lesson would be wasted as only Clarence would benefit from it. Instead, I’m going to suggest 101 minute primer to identifying manly. If you want to know manly, if you need an example of how to be manly then watch the Maltese Falcon. This movie gives you an example of every type of man there is. For those who need a scorecard, here’s the skinny.

Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) Manly (good guy)
Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet) Manly (evil guy)Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) The Mamma’s boy
Wilmer Cook (Elisha Cook Jr.) The Macho guy
Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan) The Sap
District Attorney Bryan (John Hamilton) the weasel

Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor) Trouble
Iva Archer (Gladys George) Trouble
Effie Perine (Lee Patrick) Trustworthy Gal Pal. (Something every man should have.)
The rest of the men fall in the Real Man / Regular Joe category.

There are two qualities possessed by Spade that let you know right away he’s the good manly guy. He has a code to live by and he won’t play the sap for anyone.

There are two qualities that let you know Gutman is the evil manly guy. He has minions and driven by an obsession. Good manly guys have pals not minions.

Watch the movie, study it, and you too may have a shot at manliness.



The Maltese Falcon, a study of comportment. A necessary primer for any male aspiring manliness.