Humphrey Bogart | Hollywood Yesterday

BOTD in 1924, the Wonderful Lauren Bacall

September 16, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

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.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Key Largo

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Key Largo

June 1, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Key Largo (1948)

It would be pretty hard to take a cast that includes Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Edward G. Robinson, and Claire Trevor and mess it up. Having said that, director John Huston made a movie even better than the cast, itself, could guarantee. It’s everything you want from a movie – front to back, edge of your seat and eyes on the screen entertainment.

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, Key Largo

Humphrey Bogart has always been one of my absolute favorite actors, so I not watch everything he was ever in dozens of times, I read everything I can get my hands on about him. A couple of long-told Hollywood legends involve the times (multiple times) that he wanted Lauren as his co-star instead of the co-stars he was given. Apparently, a couple of times it upset him to the point of not fully accepting his leading lady.

My take on this has always been the same…. of course he wanted Lauren alongside him in his films! Not only was she a very talented actress and a very beautiful one, at that, but he also loved her very much. If I were an actress and my husband an actor, I’d want him to be the exact same way.

That’s just my take on it. Then again, like I said, I’m a huge fan… so he can do very little wrong as far as I’m concerned!

You can find Key Largo (link to the Signature Collection dvd on Amazon) on Amazon or watch it on Amazon Prime.

Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart, The Barefoot Contessa

May 8, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart – The Barefoot Contessa

Ava Gardner has been one of my favorite actresses for about as long as I’ve known what an actress was. Humphrey Bogart has been one of my favorite actors for about as long as I’ve known what an actor was.

Love them both to distraction… so you have to know how much I love The Barefoot Contessa. They’re both brilliant in it – but, I’ll let you in on a bit of a guilty secret. Guilty because, being a fan of each star, I should love this film without reservation.

And yet….

While it’s a wonderful, dramatic film (and visually stunning) – each time I watch it, I feel a smidgen of regret. How could anyone have gotten these two giant stars together and not pair them up romantically?! Yes, the movie is wonderful but a film-noir starring these legends as lovers would have left me utterly speechless.

Speechless I tell you!

At any rate, The Barefoot Contessa (dvd on Amazon) is a darn good movie – do I love the ending? Not a lot… but it is very much worth watching.

Ida Lupino and Humphrey Bogart: High Sierra (1941)

February 29, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ida Lupino and Humphrey Bogart, High Sierra

When two powerful stars get together, a powerful movie is (usually) inevitable. It is certainly the case with High Sierra (1941), starring Ida Lupino and Humphrey Bogart.

High Sierra was the last Humphrey Bogart movie where he did not receive top billing. The studio gave Ida Lupino top billing in this one due to the fact that she had been such a big hit in They Drive by Night (1940). If Bogart was unhappy about receiving second billing, he never let it be known and never complained.

Besides, being second to Ida Lupino isn’t exactly an insult!

Click here to watch High Sierra on Amazon Prime Video. You can also find High Sierra on dvd on Amazon.

Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, Sabrina Behind the Scenes Photos

January 4, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, Behind the Scenes of Sabrina

These behind the scenes photos of Audrey Hepburn are from one of my personal favorite films, 1954’s Sabrina (Amazon link). Audrey has long been one of my favorite actresses, while Humphrey Bogart has long been one of my favorite actors. How am I NOT going to be head over heels in love with a movie they made together?!?

Audrey Hepburn, Behind the Scenes of Sabrina

Casablanca: Perfect Movie, Perfect Cast

November 5, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid

If you were to ask me to name a perfect movie, one of the first films that would come out of my mouth would be Casablanca. Four of the reasons it’s such a perfect film are looking at you here, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid, and Humphrey Bogart.

These four stars work absolute magic in this film – with each playing their role to perfection. Throw in Sydney Greenstreet (he’s always wonderful, isn’t he??!!) and it’s one of the greatest casts ever assembled.

Paul Henreid, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains

Casablanca is one of the films that made me fall in love with old Hollywood many, many years ago and I love it even more today than I did then. It’s a timeless, wonderful film and, with that, I do believe I’m going to grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit in the den with a couple of my cats and escape into their world for a few hours.

I’ll tell Ingrid, Humphrey, Paul, Claude, and Sydney you said, “Hi.”

Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, and George Raft: They Drive by Night

September 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Raft

They Drive by Night is one of those films where the casting department basically says, “This WILL work!” I mean…. Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, and George Raft? They all but dared the director and writers not to make the film a success. Excellent cast.

Humphrey Bogart and George Raft play brothers who are trying to make ends meet as independent truckers. Ann Sheridan plays a truck-stop waitress and Ida Lupino is a headstrong executive. A murder changes all of their lives and gives each of the four wonderful opportunities to show their talent.

They do not disappoint.

You can find They Drive by Night on Amazon (DVD link).

Set of Nine Chris Consani Posters

November 11, 2015 By Joi 2 Comments

I’m fortunate enough to have some Chris Consani prints and, as someone completely obsessed with old Hollywood, I’m always looking to add to my collection.

The Nine Chris Consani Posters bundled in a set (pictured here) would be the ideal way to get a jump on your own collection. If you aren’t familiar with Consani’s work, let me assure you this – they are pure joy and unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

This set would be a gorgeous way to bring the fun of the Golden Age of Hollywood into your own home – they’d also make pretty darn amazing gift ideas for other fans of Marilyn, Humphrey, James, and Elvis.

Click through the link or picture for more information.