This documentary on Humphrey Bogart does not seem to be particularly well known. However, if you are a fan of Bogey or the so-called 'Golden Age' of Hollywood you would most likely enjoy this 90-minute presentation.
It is largely narrated by Bogart's fourth wife Lauren Bacall, and follows Bogart's life beginning with his early years in New York City. If you thought he grew up in Hell's Kitchen or some other rough neighborhood that would be understandable. But Humphrey was actually raised in the Upper West Side of Manhattan and attended private schools. After serving briefly in World War I, the documentary covers his debut on stage, and eventual migration to Hollywood in the 1930s.
After appearing in quite a few mediocre films Bogart appeared in both the stage and film versions of The Petrified Forest, which cemented his reputation as a tough guy/outsider, and thrilled audiences. As a result he began landing more desirable roles such as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon and Rick Blaine in Casablanca.
While Bacall does not dwell on much of the negatives in Bogey's life, the documentary does note that his personal life remained rocky and uncertain even as his career thrived. Several marriages came and went, and he smoked like a chimney. But, his fortune changed when he met Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not. They eventually married, he fathered two children, and enjoyed some semblance of a normal life despite Bacall being considerably younger.
The documentary covers Bogart's personal life too, such as time with his family, his love of sailboats, and some political and social activities. There are also a number of short interviews with some of his friends, such as Richard Brooks, John Huston, and actress Katharine Hepburn, and the old 'Studio System' which dominated Hollywood in his era is discussed.
The film later notes that Bogart's health was declining in the early 1950s, even as he appeared in several memorable films such as The African Queen and The Caine Mutiny, and Sabrina.
The only real drawback to Bacall on Bogart is that it's pretty one-sided. After all, his wife presented most of the information, and she was apparently still very much in love with him when this production was made in 1988. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth watching as the documentary shows that there was a lot more to Humphrey Bogart than his acting roles.
It is largely narrated by Bogart's fourth wife Lauren Bacall, and follows Bogart's life beginning with his early years in New York City. If you thought he grew up in Hell's Kitchen or some other rough neighborhood that would be understandable. But Humphrey was actually raised in the Upper West Side of Manhattan and attended private schools. After serving briefly in World War I, the documentary covers his debut on stage, and eventual migration to Hollywood in the 1930s.
After appearing in quite a few mediocre films Bogart appeared in both the stage and film versions of The Petrified Forest, which cemented his reputation as a tough guy/outsider, and thrilled audiences. As a result he began landing more desirable roles such as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon and Rick Blaine in Casablanca.
While Bacall does not dwell on much of the negatives in Bogey's life, the documentary does note that his personal life remained rocky and uncertain even as his career thrived. Several marriages came and went, and he smoked like a chimney. But, his fortune changed when he met Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not. They eventually married, he fathered two children, and enjoyed some semblance of a normal life despite Bacall being considerably younger.
The documentary covers Bogart's personal life too, such as time with his family, his love of sailboats, and some political and social activities. There are also a number of short interviews with some of his friends, such as Richard Brooks, John Huston, and actress Katharine Hepburn, and the old 'Studio System' which dominated Hollywood in his era is discussed.
The film later notes that Bogart's health was declining in the early 1950s, even as he appeared in several memorable films such as The African Queen and The Caine Mutiny, and Sabrina.
The only real drawback to Bacall on Bogart is that it's pretty one-sided. After all, his wife presented most of the information, and she was apparently still very much in love with him when this production was made in 1988. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth watching as the documentary shows that there was a lot more to Humphrey Bogart than his acting roles.