As a film enthusiast and history buff, I find the life of Humphrey Bogart to be nothing short of captivating. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise as a Hollywood icon, Bogart’s story is one that resonates deeply with me. His career, marked by timeless classics like “Casablanca” and “The Maltese Falcon,” is undeniably impressive. However, it is his personal life that truly sets him apart.
In my own journey, I might have followed a very different path if I had heeded the criticism from my parents throughout my youth, labeling me as an “inadequate” actor and scholar, even going so far as to call me a complete “failure.” However, a unique, gravelly voice, the character etched into my face that I once quipped took “a lot of late nights and drinking to create,” and an unequaled knack for portraying emotionally intricate tough guys – all driven by an indomitable will – transformed me into a Hollywood icon. And, as revealed in the new documentary streaming today titled “Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes,” five women played pivotal roles in shaping my career’s course.
“Bogart: Life’s Moments Illuminate
While working on the film, we found it intriguing to approach Bogart’s story by blending the tales of the women who significantly impacted his life. This perspective was fresh and captivating for us, Kathryn Ferguson, director of “Nothing Compares,” explains. These women had played crucial roles in his success but were often overlooked or minimized in history. We aimed to portray the intricacies of these relationships, ensuring not to gloss over the more difficult aspects.
Maud Humphrey, Bogie’s mother, was a suffragette and a renowned illustrator from the early 1900s to the 1920s, earning over $50,000 per year even during the Great Depression. She, along with Bogart’s father, Dr. Belmont DeForest Bogart, were not affectionate parents and often criticized their children, including their son and his two sisters. As Bogie put it, “I was raised in a very practical manner, but straightforwardly. In our family, a kiss was an unusual occurrence.
He was incredibly ambitious and managed to overcome numerous challenges, including being expelled from home. According to Stephen Bogart in an interview with EbMaster, he responded by enlisting in the Navy. Once he made up his mind about what he wanted to do, he went for it. He had a laid-back personality, yet was prone to brooding but ultimately carefree.
In my perspective, I find it captivating how Ferguson skillfully intertwines his significant detachment from his mother with his four matrimonial ventures, all of whom were actresses. These ladies include Helen Menken, Mary Philips who bravely chose her Broadway stage over Hollywood for Bogart, the turbulent Mayo Methot, famously known as “the Battling Bogarts” due to their stormy relationship, and the legendary Lauren Bacall.
Stephen notes that Mayo significantly influenced his father’s decision to take on a film like ‘Casablanca,’ as up until then, his father predominantly played gangster roles due to the types of movies studios were producing at the time. During this period, if an actor was under contract with a studio, they didn’t have the option to refuse such roles.
As Bogart’s marriage to Methot became stormy, he started filming “To Have and Have Not”, where he encountered Bacall. She was only 20, while he was 45; it was her debut in films, yet she possessed an undeniable charm. Director Howard Hawks warned Bogart, “In every scene, she’ll make you look foolish.” Despite this, Bogie was cautious about pursuing a romantic relationship with her, stating, “If you want a successful career, I will do everything to help you… but I won’t marry you.” He had previously married three actresses, and they all prioritized their careers. However, Bacall pledged that she would put their marriage first. They got married in 1945, and she kept that promise consistently.
As a cinephile, I can’t help but be moved by the intimate snapshots found in “Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes,” particularly the profound glances exchanged between Bogart and his wife throughout their 12-year marriage. Their connection, evident in these photos, was so strong that it persisted until Bogart’s untimely death from esophageal cancer in 1957, ending their union.
Stephen remarks, “She was a strong-willed woman who didn’t tolerate foolishness. She deeply cared for us, but I believe she was haunted by the fact that he passed away, leaving her with two young children. That wasn’t part of her plan. … She lived multiple lives, more than three, perhaps even four. She received a few Tony Awards and wrote a bestselling book. She was remarkable and commanding. However, I feel she was always… in the documentary, she expressed, ‘I wanted Bogart to have children.’ She didn’t say, ‘I want to have children with him.’ And my father said, ‘I want you to have children so you can look at them and they’ll remind you of me.’ That surprised me.
In 2012, at the age of 8 when his father passed away, Stephen authored a memoir titled “Bogart: In Search of My Father.” He explains that this work is not about his father’s life but rather his own, stating, “It’s not recounting his story, it’s reflecting on mine.” He further shares, “Others may wonder if there was a significant event or transformation in my perspective towards my father. However, the truth is, I found it interesting to discover more about him. … I don’t have many memories of him as he passed away 67 years ago and was often absent due to work or sea voyages. Our role as father and son began only after his illness and death. I recall brief moments on the boat with him, such as his dislike for women aboard because it impeded his ability to relieve himself overboard. He was, as Katharine Hepburn described, a ‘very straight guy,’ quite traditional and puritanical.
Initially, Universal Pictures Content Group pondered over a documentary about Humphrey Bogart. They reached out to the CEO of Humphrey Bogart Estate, Robbert de Klerk. Upon receiving the call, he spoke with someone named Stephen, who was hesitant about another talking-head documentary focusing on his father’s films. However, Ferguson’s concept of Bogart narrating the film and her decision to present Bogart’s life story from the viewpoint of five crucial women in his life (his mother and wives) caught Stephen’s attention. The final product offers a unique, enlightening perspective on the personal aspects of the man behind the iconic figure.
Stephen notes that regardless if you’re a die-hard Humphrey Bogart fan or just somewhat familiar with the man in the trench coat and fedora, this movie will enlighten you, amuse you, and shift your viewpoint. The Bogart Estate takes great pride in ‘Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes.’ (paraphrased)
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2024-12-10 21:16