I'd vote for "The Harder they Fall," as another underrated movie with Bogey. Good story by Budd Schulberg.
A short story about another celluloid hero of mine .. Edward G. Robinson. When I was growing up in L.A. in the 1960's, I went with my parents who were shopping at an exclusive custom lighting and fixture store. I was probably 10 years old at the time. My Mom and Dad were looking around, and Edward G. and the Mrs were in the store.. My Dad told me, I was star struck... there he was in the flesh!! A few yards away from me. I was always a collector and autograph hound even as a young kid. I was too scared, possibly from watching him for years already at 10. I remember the entire thing and just kick myself for not asking him for an autograph. Maybe my Dad said leave them alone. I just don't know. I think Robinson took the "G." from his real name.. Emanuel Goldenberg. He was a trained stage actor who moved into film successfully. An actors' actor, and highly cultured man.. he and his wife collected rare art, impressionism.. he owned priceless Van Gogh paintings. He could dish it out, and take it too.
Very sad he was blacklisted - as the years went on, and the days of the quick-talking snappy dialogue was becoming more naturalized, and you can see it in "The Cincinnati Kid".
Surprise surprise.. I had totally forgotten that "Three On A Match" (1932) was on TCM this afternoon. I had set it to record like two weeks ago, turned on the TV and saw that it had recorded. YES!! been about ten years at least since I've seen it. Bogart as "Harve" at 32 years old.. went nowhere. Back when W.B. went by First National. Small part, but one bad azz.
The Petrified Forest Despite Bogart being my favorite actor, I am not much familiar with his roles before Petrified Forest, which as you say was great. Great performance by Bette Davis, who spent much of the time onscreen opposite Leslie Howard, Bogart's good friend and as the story goes the one who got him the role of Duke Mantee. Which really did set the stage for Bogart's career thereafter. I like a lot of his post Petrified Forest roles in support of other leads, like Dead End, Angels with Dirty Faces (another with James Cagney in the lead, and a great performance by the super hot Ann Sheridan), the Roaring Twenties as mentioned as well here, Dark Victory (a nice but small part in support again of Ms. Davis*), and the very good They Drive by Night. In Drive he was cast in support of George Raft, with Ann Sheridan again, but this time also with Ida Lupino, who soon directed (yes they sometimes let women direct in those days) High Sierra, Bogart's first lead. Then instead of Raft, who passed on the part, Bogart got his first great lead part in The Maltese Falcon. Not to digress but High Sierra is not one of my favorites mostly because of the hacked on ending required by the Hollywood censors. But this whole upward arc began with Petrified Forest, and it certainly was an impressive performance. And a great film overall, thanks in large part to Ms. Davis. * Dark Victory is overall a great film, btw. Nominated for Best Picture by the Oscars, and also Davis got a nomination for Best Actress.
Indeed, ''The Petrified Forest'' was a fantastic break... Bogie certainly deserved it by then. He had already made a handful of films like yesterday's ''Three On A Match'' (1932). Prior to that he stumbled around as a stage hand, and a dubious stage manager in NY. He really worked his tale off, paying his dues the hard way. A few bad marriages, and scrapes. Traveling coast to coast for what must of seemed like an eternity I'm sure... That original NYC Playbill (1935) for ''The Petrified Forest'' is the most treasured piece in my collection.
Bold Venture Podcast 1951-03-26 ep01 Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall - Deadly Merchandise aka Gun Runners Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in the first episode of their series Bold Venture. The episode is titled Deadly Merchandise aka Gun Runners. P.S. Tell me if you want me to post more of this fun radio series with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall!
Dr P, Thank you so much, Super! Kindly do post more radio shows if possible. I have some on LP somewhere from years ago, and a few on CD. They're something different, love 'em.
