| “ | You see? I must tell you what I know, but you won't tell me what you know. That's hardly equitable, sir. No, no, I don't think we can do business along those lines. | „ |
| ~ Kasper Gutman |
| “ | Seventeen years I've wanted that little item and I've been trying to get it. If we must spend another year on the quest... well, sir, it will be an additional expenditure in time of only... five and fifteen seventeenths percent. | „ |
| ~ Gutman isn't easily discouraged. |
Kasper Gutman, known as Casper Gutman in the novel, is the main antagonist of the 1929 Dashiell Hammett novel The Maltese Falcon and its 1941 film adaptation of the same name, along with his sidekicks Joel Cairo and Wilmer Cook. He is also called 'The Fat Man' due to his obesity, and he appears to have some sort of criminal background and for several years he has been hunting the Maltese Falcon: the McGuffin that is extremely valuable as it has jewels and gems under its skin.
He was portrayed by Sydney Greenstreet in his film debut.
Biography[]
He threatens Sam Spade at gunpoint, demanding to obtain the Falcon by buying it or by force. Sam is able to disarm Wilmer and Cairo throughout the film and is able to keep calm despite his temper, while Gutman tries to patiently overwhelm him.
As the negotiations continue Sam becomes concerned about how Gutman ordered the murder of several other individuals and is worried that the police will interrupt the dealings and arrest the group. Sam agrees to a deal under the condition that they have a fallguy for the murders to distract the police. Eventually Sam chooses Wilmer as the fallguy as he was directly involved in some of them and so is guilty of murder anyways. Wilmer attacks Sam in response but is defeated. With Sam stealing Wilmer's and Cairo's guns and holding Gutman at gunpoint: Gutman is forced to agree along with $10,000 for the bird.
However when they get the bird it is discovered to be a fake copy made of lead. Cairo and Gutman are distressed and outraged to realize that one of the dealers, Kemidov, discovered how valuable the bird was and made the switch. However Gutman quickly calms down and even laughs. He invites Cairo to travel to Constantinople to reclaim their bird from Kemidov.
Trivia[]
- Kingpin from Marvel Comics is directly inspired by Gutman and his actor Sydney Greenstreet. They both share an obese appearance, bald head and gentlemen appearance and personality while still being criminal masterminds.