sme
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Posts: 32
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Post by sme on Jul 4, 2024 21:36:52 GMT
I recently listened to the audio version of "Bogie & Bacall: The Surprising True Story of Hollywood's Greatest Love Affair" by William J. Mann. The author didn't do a great deal of analysis of Bogart's performances, but it would seem he ran either hot or cold. He was often excellent playing criminals and troubled characters, but not especially good at comedy or upstanding citizens. According to the book, the movies he made toward the end of his career were mostly clunkers (I haven't seen them) as were many he made during the 1930s, his presence doing nothing to uplift uninspiring scripts.
The fact that Bogart was named #1 on AFI's list of 100 greatest stars was also mentioned. I assume "star" incorporates more than acting talent alone and also includes popularity. However, since Bogart was somewhat uneven as a performer, should he have been #1? If not Bogart, then who?
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Post by topbilled on Jul 4, 2024 21:41:55 GMT
Sounds like the author may be biased in favor of Bogart's work from the 1940s. Personally, I enjoy some of the films he made in the 50s, especially the lesser known ones like DEADLINE U.S.A. (1952) and BATTLE CIRCUS (1953). Another good one is the original version of THE DESPERATE HORUS (1955) in which he costars with Fredric March.
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sme
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by sme on Jul 4, 2024 22:10:07 GMT
Sounds like the author may be biased in favor of Bogart's work from the 1940s. Personally, I enjoy some of the films he made in the 50s, especially the lesser known ones like DEADLINE U.S.A. (1952) and BATTLE CIRCUS (1953). Another good one is the original version of THE DESPERATE HORUS (1955) in which he costars with Fredric March. |
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Post by sagebrush on Jul 4, 2024 22:49:18 GMT
I thought Bogie was fantastic in IN A LONELY PLACE (1950).
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Post by christine on Jul 4, 2024 23:19:59 GMT
THE DESPERATE HOURS 1955 is my favorite Bogart movie!
TCM doesn't play that very often or hasn't for a long time.
Gig Young, Fredric March and Martha Scott give great performances also.
I love the movies Bogart and Bacall made together. There's something so 'Old Hollywood' about them!
THE AFRICAN QUEEN 1951 and PASSAGE TO MARSSEILLE 1944 are two more Bogie films I try to watch whenever they're on.
Of course, I love CASABLANCA 1942!
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Post by gerald424 on Jul 5, 2024 0:37:43 GMT
Most bio documentaries follow that progression of "start slowly - reached peak - declined". Bogart died before he could really decline so they have to use his latter movies as the "decline", "he looked tired", " he mailed it in" etc...
Bogart was nowhere near perfect. Some performances were better than others. But, once he hit his stride, I think he was consistently good.
I think many critics stereotype him in one type of role. And will critique anything he does outside of that "role"
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