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Bogart and Bacall - Least interesting of their films together

posted 18 years ago by Bitbyadeadbee
20 replies | jump to latest

'To Have and Have Not' and 'The Big Sleep' succeed in large part because of the obvious chemistry between Bogie and Bacall. A big part of that chemistry was the flirty repartee that went back and forth between the two of them. There was a wonderful edge to their exchanges because neither was quite sure they could trust the other. Bacall's characters were always 'bad' girls in one way or another, which was precisely what drew Bogie's characters to her.

The relationship in Key Largo is much less interesting, because Bacall's character is a widow, and some kind of saint. There's no trace of the bad girl in her and that sucks all the interest out of the scenes between her and Bogie.

I was a little disappointed in this film the last time I saw it.

[–] Kinokima 10 years ago

Watching this one again now. I like Key Largo but yes it's not as good as Big Sleep and To Have and Have Not.

Bacall and Bogie still have chemistry because well they are Bacall and Bogie one of the best couples on and off the screen.

But I agree with the criticism that Bacall doesn't have as much to do here but then we are looking at one film directed by Huston vs two films directed by Hawks. And the type of female character you see in the Big Sleep and To Have and Have Not was Hawk's favorite female character.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksian_woman

Key Largo definitely has the best main villain of all the Bacall/Bogie films though.

[–] kbarada 10 years ago

Key Largo definitely has the best main villain of all the Bacall/Bogie films though.

I agree and without EGR's typically outstanding performance, it would have been very dull. Some say it was "his movie".

[–] SamoanJoes 10 years ago

Key largo is third for me. Dark Passage (even with its problems) and The Big Sleep are number one and two for me.

[–] PeterBlues (790) 7 years ago

no way, that's how i feel about "to have and have not", not going by the play between bogart and bacall, but just as the quality of the movie in general, i had seen many bogart flicks when later i came by that and found it didn't feel as rich as other bogart movies, but this i couldn't get enough of, also much of the comments on this board is how edward g. robinson steals the show.

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