Humphrey Bogart Marathon

I watched a personal mini-marathon of Humphrey Bogart movies and instead of writing a review on each one, I thought I’d do a review of an actor’s body of work.  You see, I have loved Bogart since I was a little girl.  My mom and I would watch movies from the golden age of Hollywood and I promptly became enamored with Humphrey Bogart.  It didn’t hurt that he reminds me of my dad.  I actually like every one of his movies.  It’s easy to dismiss Bogart as a one-note actor, but watch his movies and you will see he actually convincingly played several different characters.  He starred in westerns, gangster pictures, film noir, romantic melodramas, and so much more.  He was a character himself who played roles with character.

Some of my favorite films include the four he made with Lauren Bacall: "To Have and Have Not" (1944), "The Big Sleep" (1946), "Dark Passage" (1947), and "Key Largo" (1948). Their on-screen chemistry was amazing.  Their romance was a rare example of a May-December romance that worked.  Mutual respect and a loving partnership are important in any relationship – there was nothing tawdry or salacious.  They are great together, personally and professionally.  I recommend a Bogart-Bacall retrospective, and watch them in order of release.  Each movie brings something special to the viewing

·         To Have and Have Not – “You know how to whistle, don`t you Steve” (FYI they named their son Steve after this character)

·         The Big Sleep – Marlowe “What's wrong with you?” Vivian “Nothing you can't fix.”

·         Dark Passage – the first hour of the movie is from Bogart’s perspective, who don’t see him until after the bandages are removed

·         Key Largo – there is so much that is memorable, it is impossible to pick one

There are several other Bogart movies which you should add to your must-see list:

·         African Queen – alongside the amazing Katherine Hepburn, it is one of his best roles.

·         Caine Mutiny – strawberries (just watch it).

·         Casablanca – romance, war, melodrama, Nazis, oh my! (perhaps his most famous movie)

·         Petrified Forest – The role that started it all, first on Broadway then on screen.  Co-star Leslie Howard insisted Bogart had to be hired for the movie or he’d walk.  Bogart never forgot and named his daughter after him.

·         Sabrina – I agree with Audrey Hepburn…I’d pick Bogart over William Holden too.

·         Treasure of Sierra Madre – Directed by John Huston and co-staring Walter Huston, a gritty story with realism and no happy ending.

·         Public Enemy – second fiddle in one of James Cagney’s best gangster flick.

A little known fact, Lauren Bacall coined the phrase “rat pack” to describe their circle of friends.  A skinny crooner joined the group – Frank Sinatra.  After Bogart’s death, he was briefly engaged to Bacall (she wised up and moved on) but the moniker stuck went with him and his drinking/singing buddies.

The long and the short of it…Humphrey Bogart is an important part of American film history.  Enjoy his movies with a friend, you won’t regret it.