The Kamas Library Classic Film series kicks off the year with 1941’s “The Maltese Falcon” on January 16. John Huston launched his directing career with this story of murder and a search for The Black Bird. Humphrey Bogart, as detective Sam Spade, gets involved with a gallery of strange characters, including the untrustworthy damsel in distress, Brigid (played by Mary Astor); the charming but sinister Fat Man (Sydney Greenstreet); and the eccentric Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre.)

The free screening is Thursday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m. at the Kamas Valley Library Branch.