Humphrey Bogart Article

Link to Article: http://humphreybogart.com/biography/

From the time he decided to pursue acting, Humphrey Bogart was committed to the art. In the more than 80 films
spanning his career, he was never once late to the set or unprepared for his lines. He held a deep respect for actors
who were serious about their performances, and was professional in every aspect of his own career.
[Bogart] achieved class through his integrity and his devotion to what he thought was right, said friend Nathaniel
Benchley in his biography, Humphrey Bogart. He believed in being direct, simple, and honest, all on his own terms,
and this ruffled some people and endeared him to others.
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was born on December 25, 1899. He was the son of a reputable doctor, Belmont
DeForest Bogart, and Maude Humphrey, a respected portrait artist. Bogart and his two younger sisters lived
comfortably. The family had a permanent residence in a prominent section near New York City, and a seasonal retreat
on Canandaigua Lake. It was at their summer home that Dr. Bogart taught his son how to play chess and sail, two
activities that Bogart would enjoy for the rest of his life.
In May 1918, after a brief term at the Andover Academy in Massachusetts, Bogart enlisted in the Navy. He was
assigned to the Leviathan, his duties at which would result in the famous scar that marked the right corner of his
upper lip. Despite numerous rumors, however, the injury was not a result of shrapnel. The following story is probably
closest to the truth of what really happened. A Navy prisoner, whom Bogart was escorting, asked for a cigarette.
When he reached for a match, the prisoner smashed Bogart across the mouth with his handcuffs and fled. Bogarts
lip was severely torn, but he pursued and apprehended the man, refusing treatment until the prisoner was securely
locked up.
Wetting his feet
Bogarts career in entertainment developed slowly. In 1920, established stage actress Alice Brady noticed something
special about Bogart and asked her father to hire him. Bogart eventually became a company manager, in charge of a
touring play called The Ruined Lady, and earned $50 a week. Neither Bogart nor Alice Brady felt he was suited for
the job, however, and soon she gave him a line to read. Dr. Bogart, upon seeing his son in his first role as a Japanese
waiter, leaned over and whispered to a companion, The boys good, isnt he? Critics werent as quick to ascertain
the unique quality that Dr. Bogart and Alice perceived, but it didnt matter. Bogart had decided to become an actor.
During his time working in the theater, Bogart married twice. His first wife, Helen Menken, was an accomplished stage
actress 10 years his senior who had immediately taken a liking to Bogart. He reportedly resisted the relationship, and
was quoted as commenting to friends, God, I dont want to marry that girl. Bogart and Helen eventually tied the knot
on May 20, 1926. The marriage ended less than a year later, and Helen sailed overseas to star in a London theater
production of Seventh Heaven.
Bogarts second wife, Mary Philips, was also a stage actress. Bogart and Mary first met through mutual friends in
1923, and during their relationship they worked together in several theater productions, including Nerves and The
Skyrocket. They married in April 1928 and were by most accounts a fun and amicable couple.
Undeniable stage presence
After starring in a number of stage productions, as well as several minor screen roles, Bogarts breakthrough part was
just around the corner. In 1934, producer-director Arthur Hopkins contacted him about a part in Robert Sherwoods
The Petrified Forest. Hopkins had Bogart try out for the part of Duke Mantee, an escaped killer who holds a handful of
customers captive in a gas station. Duke Mantees persona was much different from the pretty-boy roles Bogart was
used to playing, and it was in this new realm that Bogarts talent shone through.
It is well-recorded that, when he walked onstage as the vicious Duke Mantee, there was a collective gasp from the
audience. Bogarts icy stare, dangling hands, and stooped convicts shuffle had the audience convinced the actor was
a killer and he hadnt even spoken yet.
In light of the plays success, Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to The Petrified Forest. However, they had their
own actor, Edward G. Robinson, in mind for the role of Duke Mantee. Fortunately for Bogart, friend and co-star Leslie
Howard ultimately refused to act in the film adaptation unless Bogart retained the role. Warner Bros. eventually
relented and signed Bogart, who then went on to prove he was just as powerful on screen as he was on stage.

Bogart was always grateful for Howards dedication and help in landing the breakthrough part, and he was later
quoted as saying, Its not for nothing my daughter was named Leslie.
From villain to hero
After The Petrified Forest was released, Bogart worked steadily under his contract with Warner Bros., and it was
necessary for him to make a permanent move out West. Unfortunately, when the career paths of Bogart and Mary
diverged, the marriage ended. After a brief try at life in Hollywood, Mary returned East to continue her successful
career as a stage actress.
During a visit to a mutual friend, Bogart had crossed paths with aspiring actress Mayo Methot. Bogart was amused by
her loud, unpredictable personality, and Mayo was extremely taken with the handsome newcomer. They quickly
developed a serious relationship, and were married in August 1938. Although Bogart and Mayo cared for each other,
the marriage was tumultuous from the start. It was no secret that Mayo had a violent temper, suffered from alcohol
dependency, and was prone to paranoid jealousy. Mild arguments quickly escalated into physical confrontations, and
they became known as the Battling Bogarts.
Living in Hollywood was exciting at first, but Bogart became understandably bored with his on-screen roles. He made
12 pictures with Warner Bros. during the first two years, and in eight of those he played a gangster/criminal. Bogart
was looking for variety and the chance to prove his versatility. In 1940, he readily accepted the leading role in the
screenplay adaptation of Dashiell Hammetts novel The Maltese Falcon. It was a perfect fit. Bogarts flawless
depiction of private eye Sam Spade, portrayed with an exciting mix of cunning, sexuality, and honor, made Hollywood
stand up and take notice.
Bogart had re-defined his career as an actor, and it was just in time for the casting of the romantic war drama
Casablanca. Directors engaged talented beauty Ingrid Bergman as Bogarts co-star, and watched (amid a flurry of
revisions) as the story naturally metamorphosed through the last day of shooting. The result was a movie that still
vies for the best picture ever made. Released on January 23, 1943, it captivated audiences everywhere. Casablanca
won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Director, and received nominations in five other
categories, including Bogart for Best Actor.
Love of a lifetime
In 1944, Warner Bros. paired Bogart with 20-year-old Betty Perske, a personable up-and-comer who went by the
stage name Lauren Bacall. A sultry beauty, Betty already had a highly successful modeling career with Harpers
Bazaar, and was looking to break into the movie business. The two were slated to star in a screenplay adaptation of
Ernest Hemingways novel To Have and Have Not. Upon meeting her, Bogart told Betty, I saw your test. Were going
to have a lot of fun together.
He could not have been more right. The electricity between Bogart and Betty was tangible, and yet their connection
was much more than physical. Bettys self confidence and dedicated work ethic matched Bogarts, and her warm,
nurturing manner complimented his softer side nicely. Bogarts connection with Betty gave him the final push he
needed to end the ailing marriage with Mayo. Their divorce was final on May 10, 1945, and Bogart and Betty were
married less than two weeks later on May 21.
The newlyweds settled into a rustic home, tucked back in a semi-secluded section in Beverly Hills, where they
accumulated an array of animals. Their pets included 14 chickens, eight ducks and a large dog. In 1947, Bogart
secured his financial future with a unique contract from Warner Bros., which guaranteed him $1 million a year for 15
years. In 1949, Betty gave birth to their son, Stephen Humphrey. Although he was initially cautious (and perhaps a
little intimated) when they discovered Betty was pregnant, Bogart reveled in his new role as a parent. Three years
later, daughter Leslie Howard was born to complete the family.
Friends fondly remembered how the childrens curiosity and innocence amazed Bogart. When Steve was six, Bogart
brought him on a regular weekend excursion on Santana, Bogarts 54-foot sailboat. After watching others set lobster
traps, Steve tried to catch one of his own. He lowered a cricket cage off the deck and checked it constantly until
bedtime. When his son was asleep, Bogart placed the upper body of a lobster in Steves cage (it was all that would
fit) for the boy to find in the morning. Steve, though he recalled the catch, never knew Bogart was responsible.
A meat and potatoes guy
Bogarts favorite place for lunch or dinner was Romanoffs, a popular Beverly Hills restaurant. He shared a special
friendship with the owner, whom he called Prince, and the two often played chess. He enjoyed harassing Prince,
especially when it came to Romanoffs mandatory shirt and tie policy. Bogart, who liked to dress casually for lunch,
fought with Prince over the matter. The battle was settled when Bogart had a jeweler design a one-inch wide,

enameled bow tie. After examining the pin, Prince allowed Bogart to be seated. Damn you I hate you, Prince said,
but it passes.
In 1952, Bogart once again redefined acting parameters when he starred in The African Queen with Katharine
Hepburn. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor, beating out Marlon Brandos nomination for A Streetcar Named
Desire. The movie was one of the years most successful. A New York Times critic raved, Bogart, in what is very
likely the best performance of his long career, plays a man who is crude only on the surface; there is a goodness
underneath his unshaven appearance and the actor does a fine job of bringing this quality out in the action and
dialogue.
Still, the humble star tried not to let it go to his head. The best way to survive an Oscar is to never try to win another
one, Bogart said. Youve seen what happens to some Oscar winners. They spend the rest of their lives turning down
scripts while searching for the great role to win another one. Hell, I hope Im never even nominated again. Its meatand-potato roles for me from now on.
A valiant fight
Following the success of The African Queen, Bogart starred in several other notable movies, including Sabrina, Beat
the Devil and The Caine Mutiny. Unfortunately, in 1957, his amazing career was cut short. Despite undergoing radical
surgery to remove a cancerous growth around Bogarts esophagus, the disease continued to spread. He put up a
valiant fight, but in the early morning hours of Monday, January 14, Bogart lost his battle with cancer.
The following Thursday, January 17, Betty held a memorial at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills. Because
Bogart wished to be cremated, she placed a glass encased model of his boat, Santana, in lieu of a casket.
Friend and director John Huston gave a simple, heartfelt eulogy, and Reverend Kermit Castellanos presided over the
service. In addition to reciting the Ten Commandments, Castellanos also read Alfred Lord Tennysons hymn Crossing
the Bar. It was a fitting and comforting tribute to a man who lived earnestly, spoke openly and in doing so was not
afraid of what the future would bring.

Nelson Vargas
Mrs. Harmon
Intro to Film
23 February 2015
Highlighted Quotes Commentary
(#1) It says that Humphrey Bogart is said to be very punctual, professional, and polite.
This is contradictory to some might believe to be the character of the common pompous
celebrity. Humility appeared to be a strong point with Humphrey Bogart. Keeping in mind,
Bogart was disciplined as a member of the Navy and he had underwent a long list of smaller
theatre performances and B-list movie appearances.
(#2) Humphrey Bogart had his signature scar on his upper-right lip. It really made him
stand out. Its like Harry Potters, an idiosyncrasy thats become a part of his identity, but
Bogarts is the real deal.While serving in the Navy, A handcuffed prisoner smashed his wrist over
Bogarts mouth before he attempted to flee. It worked out in his favor though. It was somewhat a
trademark of his and it gave him an edgy look when he played tough-guy roles.
(#3) Bogarts big break would be his role as Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest.
Humphrey might not have been such an icon if his co-star Leslie Howard hadnt demanded
Warner Bros. sign him on, or at the very least his stardom wouldve be delayed. Humphreys
gratitude towards Leslie was to the extent that he named his daughter Leslie Howard Bogart as
homage to his friend.

(#4) What seems to be a common thread with all celebrities regardless of generation and
culture is unstable marriages. Its comparable to us predicting the life span of marriages between
A-list celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and etc. Its unfortunate that actors from
the 1930s and 40s also had this problem, despite the national divorce rates being much lower.
Humphrey Bogart married four times and other popular celebrity of the time Clark Gable
married five times. This goes to show that the relationships that the majority of celebrity
marriages are under the duress of the limelight.
(#5) Casablanca is arguably Bogarts most famous film. It swept The Academy Awards
for Best Film, Screenplay, and Director. Bogart was nominated for best actor but did not win. In
total, Bogart was nominated three times for an Oscar and won once for his role in The African
Queen. He left off a gigantic legacy before his death as a result of a cancerous esophagus.
Entertainment Weekly dubbed him the greatest movie legend of all time and The American Film
Institute ranked Humphrey Bogart the greatest male movie actor of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7IWLZcVU64
This clip shows Humphrey Bogart in the scene made popular by the quote,
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.