Lauren Bacall | Hollywood Yesterday

Remembering Lauren Bacall on Her Birthday!

September 16, 2022 By Joi

Lauren Bacall

Betty Joan Perske was BOTD in 1924 in The Bronx, New York City, New York. She would go on to become one of the most beautiful and celebrated actress of all time as Lauren Bacall. I love this actress’s filmography to distraction. From the films she made with Humphrey Bogart, including Key Largo, The Big Sleep, and To Have and Have Not to other classics such as How to Marry a Millionaire and Designing Woman, her films and performances are the stuff dreams are made of.

The photos shown here are from How to Marry a Millionaire (1953, directed by Jean Negulesco). The photo above is a knock-out promotional picture for the film.

Could this lady wear clothes or what?!

The photo at the bottom is a behind the scenes picture with one of Lauren’s co-stars in the film, Marilyn Monroe.

How to Marry a Millionaire Movie Poster (Amazon link)

The popular and fun comedy also stars Betty Grable, Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, Cameron Mitchell, Alexander D’Arcy, Fred Clark, and William Powell.

You can find How to Marry a Millionaire (Amazon link) on dvd for your collection or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall

Beautiful Lauren Bacall, Bright Leaf (1950)

September 28, 2021 By Joi

Lauren Bacall

There are certain stars who you think it would be impossible for anyone NOT to love them. Actors and actresses who were (in all ways) so perfect, they’re surely universally loved. Lauren Bacall is one of those stars in my mind. I honestly can’t conceive anyone not loving this actress.

I mean, come on, she had everything going on for her! She had traffic-stopping beauty, a legendary real-life love story, and head to toe talent. She also made some really great movies, including the one this photo represents, the 1950 romantic Drama Bright Leaf, directed by Michael Curtiz.

The movie also stars Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal, Donald Crisp, and Jack Carson.

You can find Bright Leaf on DVD (Amazon Link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Claire Trevor in Key Largo… One of the All-Time GREAT Performances

September 20, 2021 By Joi

Claire Trevor, Key Largo

I love it when a perfect movie meets a perfect performance, don’t you?! One such movie and performance is Key Largo with the wonderful Claire Trevor. Her portrayal of Gaye Dawn is absolutely breathtaking. In the scene where she’s forced to sing…. I mean, it’s nothing short of movie magic.

Claire Trevor VERY deservedly won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar for her portrayal.

The movie is filled with outstanding performances – how could it not be with a cast that also included Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, and Lionel Barrymore? And yet, as far as I’m concerned, Claire Trevor managed to stand out.

That tends to happen when you give a completely mesmerizing performance!

I also want to mention the generosity of her co-stars. Each time I watch this film (well over 20 times by now), I’m struck by the “room” given to Trevor by her co-stars. You can tell they knew something truly special was happening and not one tried to take the spotlight from her. So much professionalism!

Humphrey Bogart, Claire Trevor, and Lauren Bacall

You can find the brilliance that is Key Largo on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Lionel Barrymore, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart: Behind the Scenes of Key Largo

September 11, 2021 By Joi

Lionel Barrymore, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a billion times… Key Largo is one of the greatest movies ever made. The cast is perfection and the story & directing (by John Huston) are phenomenal. Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Claire Trevor, Edward G. Robinson each star gives one of the best performances of his or her career.

You can find all of the excellence on dvd (Amazon link) or watch Key Largo on Prime Video.

Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall, and Patricia Neal in Bright Leaf (1950)

September 10, 2021 By Joi

Gary Cooper and Lauren Bacall

Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal star in Bright Leaf (1950, directed by Michael Curtiz). The three make a very believable love triangle… almost TOO believable! Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper were involved for several years and she, in fact wanted Lauren Bacall’s role. For whatever reasons, the powers that be decided that she couldn’t have that particular role.

Personally I think they were right – each lady was PERFECT in the role assigned to her and Gary Cooper was absolutely perfect as the man in the middle.

You can find Bright Leaf on DVD (Amazon Link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal

Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, and Humphrey Bogart Behind the Scenes of Key Largo

July 28, 2021 By Joi

Lionel Barrymore, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart

One of my favorite Bogie and Bacall movies is also one of my favorite movies, period – Key Largo (1948). Directed by John Huston, the EXCELLENT movie also stars Lionel Barrymore, Edward G. Robinson, and Claire Trevor.

Excellent cast, excellent director, excellent movie.

You can find all of the excellence on dvd (Amazon link) or watch Key Largo on Prime Video.

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart

BOTD in 1896, Wonderful Director Howard Hawks

May 30, 2021 By Joi

Howard Hawks With Crew and Cast Members, Rio Bravo

One of my absolute favorite directors, Howard Hawks, was BOTD (born on this day) in 1896 in Goshen, Indiana. This talented director was behind some of my personal favorite movies…

Rio Bravo
El Dorado
Red River
Bringing Up Baby
Monkey Business
The Big Sleep
Only Angels Have Wings
To Have or Have Not
Ball of Fire
Rio Lobo
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Hatari

As I see more of his movies, I have NO doubt that other favorites will join the list.

Not only do we owe him a debt of gratitude for his wonderful films, he is responsible for discovering Lauren Bacall. That, alone, earns him my undying devotion!

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, To Have and Have Not

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Behind the Scenes of Key Largo

January 27, 2021 By Joi

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart

Not only was Key Largo one of the best movies ever made, it had some of my all-time favorite performances. Every single cast member was extraordinary but I am always especially blown away by Bogie, Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, and Claire Trevor.

Just an outstanding movie with one outstanding performance after another. John Huston was an excellent director and this was one of his best films.

You can find all of the excellence on dvd (Amazon link) or watch Key Largo on Prime Video.

How to Marry a Millionaire: Behind the Scenes Picture of Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable

January 27, 2021 By Joi

Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall

Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall starred in the wonderful 1953 comedy How to Marry a Millionaire (directed by Jean Negulesco). It wasn’t necessarily the best movie ever made, but it was a great one that showcased three of Hollywood’s most glamorous and beloved stars.

You could even make a case (which I do!) that it was a blissful celebration of these three remarkable actresses. Each different, each unique, and each iconic. I like to think of this film as a tribute to each star, which is why it grinds my gears to see only one of the actresses on dvd covers (usually Marilyn).

Why not spotlight all three, right?!

The fun and colorful movie also stars William Powell, David Wayne, Rory Calhoun, Fred Clark, and Cameron Mitchell.

You can find How to Marry a Millionaire (Amazon link) on dvd for your collection or watch the movie on Prime Video.

How to Marry a Millionaire Movie Poster:

How to Marry a Millionaire Movie Poster (Amazon link)

BOTD in 1924, the Wonderful Lauren Bacall

September 16, 2020 By Joi

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924, in New York City. Little did anyone know the legendary actress Betty Joan would one day become!

While I love all of Lauren Bacall’s movies (she has a very rich filmography… as rich and distinctive as her voice), my favorites are Key Largo, Dark Passage, The Big Sleep, How to Marry a Millionaire, and To Have and Have Not.

When Humphrey Bogart was on the screen, there was magic. When Lauren Bacall was on the screen, there was magic. When they were on the screen together…. the word hasn’t been invented for the magic they generated together.