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A Filmmaker's Guide to: Humphrey Bogart

Film Studies (Pt.105)

By Annie KapurPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me (email in bio) and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.

Humphrey Bogart

Who is he?

The man who is normally referred to as one of the greatest actors of all time was born on Christmas Day in 1899 in New York City. His parents showed very little affection towards all of their children which often caused rifts between them and others. After getting bad grades from boarding school, he enlisted in the army for World War One and went off to the US Navy. After this, he continued a friendship with a man who owned a theatre, getting a job a stage manager, then an actor and finally, he became the Humphrey Bogart we know and respect and have known and respected since.

What did he do in film?

As I have said, he is known as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history with many calling him the best actor of classic Hollywood for his diversity of roles, his brilliant work and his extensive record of portraying some of the most difficult and complex characters. Many actors of his day and of our own have attempted to copy Humphrey Bogart's talent but few have ever gotten close. His films are often dark and thrilling and we are often told as audiences not to become overly emotionally attached to his character but, simply cannot help it. His characters have a human side too. It may be difficult to find but Bogart puts it there to keep his characters grounded in reality.

Let us take a look at some of his best roles in order of their appearance in his career:

The Maltese Falcon (1941) dir. by John Huston

The character of Sam Spade is not only very well known but seems to be iconic in the world of cinema and especially in the world of noir crime film. Humphrey Bogart, the detached investigator who has heard that his partner in business has been shot dead leads the investigation into a woman that gave him money to track someone down. Believing it to be a lie, he tries to find out the truth and it leads him down a rocky slope to a myth of a statue of a bird.

Casablanca (1942) dir. by Michael Curtiz

An even more iconic character than Sam Spade, Rick Blaine is the charismatic owner of a bar who meets his ex-lover in Casablanca by sheer accident. Bogart's acting in this is some of his best work because it is both detached socially but also romantically involved with a woman he seems to be wanting to forget. He thinks about doing what is best for both him and her and I think we know how it pans out. It became one of the most quoted roles in movie history.

The Big Sleep (1946) dir. by Howard Hawks

One of my favourite Bogart and Bacall films, Humphrey Bogart portrays the detective Philip Marlowe in the adaptation of a Raymond Chandler novel. Involving him as this almost byronic hero, Bogart creates an unforgettable character who becomes psychologically involved in the case.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) dir. by John Huston

Personally, this is my favourite Humphrey Bogart film and is also one of my favourite films of all time - definitely appearing in my top twenty. Humphrey Bogart does not only display power at first, but after going seemingly insane, he begins to drop his guard but become paranoid at the worst of times. Bogart's fresh new style of performance was something I had not seen from him before and it was absolutely incredible. I loved it.

Key Largo (1948) dir. by John Huston

The best films come out of Humphrey Bogart teaming up with John Huston and this film proves it once again. Portraying a man called Frank who tries to fend off a villainous gangster portrayed by the incredible Edward G Robinson, Humphrey Bogart plays yet again a different kind of complex role. Co-starring Lauren Bacall - you can see for yourself why they're so well known and respected.

Others:

  1. In a Lonely Place (1950) dir. by Nicholas Ray
  2. The African Queen (1951) dir. by John Huston
  3. Beat the Devil (1953) dir. by John Huston
  4. We're No Angels (1955) dir. by Michael Curtiz
  5. The Harder They Fall (1956) dir. by Mark Robson

Conclusion

Although he did not make it to sixty years' old, Humphrey Bogart has many films and many great and iconic films under his belt. His legacy lives on through the iconic nature of his roles - Sam Spade, Rick Blaine, Philip Marlowe, Dix Steele, Frank McCloud, Fred Dobbs, Harry Morgan and many, many more.

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About the Creator

Annie Kapur

190K+ Reads on Vocal.

English Lecturer

🎓Literature & Writing (B.A)

🎓Film & Writing (M.A)

🎓Secondary English Education (PgDipEd)

📍Birmingham, UK

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