Among sterling contenders such as Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart, Vivien Leigh, Alec Guiness, Marlon Brando and many more, the majority of polls nominate Humphrey Bogart as the foremost actor in the history of movies. He was slender, of average height and his face was interesting but not handsome.
Bogey’s New York-accented baritone voice with a slight lisp was masculine, distinctive and especially suited to playing tough guys. Men respected Bogart and wanted to be like him, and women found him irresistible. The ethereally beautiful Ingrid Bergman being in love with Bogey as Rick in Casablanca was totally believable.
And he delivered great lines from that film with natural conviction: “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.” And, “We’ll always have Paris.” (It’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role of Rick in Casablanca, but George Raft turned down the role and Ronald Reagan was an early choice.)
One director said that when Humphrey Bogart was on the screen you didn’t see anyone else. How did he do it? Why does the camera love one person but not another? What was Bogey’s secret? Well, that’s like describing presence, it’s either there or it’s not.
Citing five more of his many great films, Bogart was unforgettable as Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest; Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon (the part that made him a star); Fred C. Dobbs in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre; Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep; and Charlie Allnut in The African Queen. (John Huston directed three of these masterpieces. Can you name them?)
Bogey’s acting was unforced and authentic, and he maintained a cool detachment while coming across as likable. Paraphrasing the words of one song, he looked like a seeker of wisdom, justice and truth. There was, is, and unlikely will be, any actor remotely like Humphrey Bogart; and he is a national treasure.
Richard J. Noyes, former Associate Director, Center for Advanced Engineering Study, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a consultant to public and private sector organizations. (more)
Noyes is the co-author with Pamela J. Robertson of Larceny of Love, a provocative print and eBook novel that traces the interwoven careers of three men in jeopardy and the unforgettable women in their lives. http://larcenyoflove.com/
“Whenever dramatic storytelling about people you like is created around business, sports and film, I'm a happy reader. I'm sure you will be as well.” –Kevin Marcus, Real Estate Vice President
Another recent print and eBook by Richard Noyes and Pamela Robertson: Guts in the Clutch: 77 Legendary Triumphs, Heartbreaks, and Wild Finishes in 12 Sports, with a Foreword by Drew Olson of ESPN. http://gutsintheclutch.com/
“The best compilation of fascinating sports stories I have read.” -David Houle, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer of documentaries on Hank Aaron and the Harlem Globetrotters.
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