Why Bogey may be the best in history

We love lists these days and for my money, Bogart stands atop the list of the greatest movie stars ever. Not the best actors, for there was a lot Bogey could not do. Stage trained before he came to Hollywood, Bogey could handle dialogue just fine, but was not the best at another staple of filmmaking, the reaction shot. When the script said for the camera to move in on Bogey to catch his reacton to something, it was often not the best part of the picture. This is evident in Key Largo in the scene where the sheriff announces he has just killed the Oceloa Brothers, thinking they'd murdered Sawyer. The camera closes in on Bogey and rather than being offended, he looks like he's about to be sick, which I don't think was the intention.

But that, and his inept lovemaking aside, I list him as the movies' greatest star, actually atop Cary Grant, Clark Gable,even Chaplin.

Why Bogey? For me, the criteria is generally what was left behind and Humphrey Bogart appeared in more classic films than just about anyone I can think of.


"Petrified Forest"

"Maltese Falcon"

"Casablanca"

"To Have and Have Not"

"The Big Sleep"

"Key Largo"

"Treasure of Sierra Madrea"

"African Queen"

"The Caine Mutiny."

And these are just the all time classics. The list does not include "High Sierra," "In a Lonely Place," "Sahara," "The Roaring Twenties" and on and on.

Can anyone name an actor who left behind a stronger body of work?