Summary
- Dark age (1947) is the least impressive of the four Bacall-Bogart films, with some flaws in the film's overall execution that distract from the great performances.
- Key Largo (1948) is a sentimental film noir with themes of post-WWII disillusionment, featuring standout performances by Bacall, Bogart, and Edward G. Robinson.
- The Big Sleep (1946) is one of the best Bogart and Bacall films ever made, blending elements of film noir and gangster films with incredible chemistry between the iconic Hollywood pair.
The classic Hollywood duo of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall resulted in four movies, ranked here from worst to best. Humphrey Bogart is one of the most famous actors in film history for his leading roles in Casablanca, The Caine Mutiny, and The Maltese Falcon. Bogart, known commonly as Bogie in Old Hollywood, had a celebrated acting career for 25 years between 1921 and 1956 and remains a landmark figure of 20th-century cinema. He began acting on Broadway before landing his breakout role in High Sierra which landed him the star part in The Maltese Falcon in 1941.
Lauren Bacall, one of Bogie's onscreen counterparts and behind-the-scenes romantic interests, got her acting career started in 1942 but rose to international stardom after her first appearance in a Hollywood movie in 1944. Bacall and Bogart formed a relationship after working together in 1944 and got married only a year later in 1945. Bacall became Bogart's fourth and final wife at the age of twenty despite Bogart being 25 years her senior. The two would remain married until Bogart's death in 1957, having two children together. Their last onscreen appearance was in 1948 although Bogart would continue acting until 1956.
4 Dark age (1947)
Dark age is considered the least impressive of the four onscreen performances with both Bacall and Bogart in the spotlight. While both Bogart and Bacall do enough heavy lifting with her signature appeal and his characteristic edge to make the film enjoyable for the viewer, the film itself has enough flaws to distract from the great performances alone. The star power alone was not enough to carry the film throughout, as the classic murder narrative is given unusual filming approaches that don't necessarily land, such as actors looking and talking directly at the camera.
Rooted in the film noir genre set in a picturesque San Francisco setting, Dark age takes creative risks with its stylized first-person visual perspective and a generally atmospheric tone in both aesthetic and plot development. Based on the David Goodis novel of the same name, the film adaptation of Dark age notably conceals its protagonist for nearly an hour before appearing onscreen. The partly innovative and partly odd creative approach to Dark age is one of the reasons why its critical reception is more divisive than other Bacall-Bogart pictures.
3 Key Largo (1948)
Key Largo, directed by the notable director and actor John Huston, is the fourth and final movie that both Bacall and Bogart star in together. The film is set in a post-WWII America with undertones of pessimism towards the world that is immediately felt throughout the narrative, dealing with greater concepts of war veterans who come home only to feel that they are without much purpose or identity. Bogart plays an atypical drifter named Frank McCloud who has little interest in returning to a civilized lifestyle after the war until he is inspired by the grace and charm of Bacall's character Nora.
Key Largo is largely a sentimental film noir at its core with a foundation of the hopelessness of the world at large and the insidious effects of a global war on everyday communities, even on the winning side. It pairs Bacall and Bogart alongside another legendary actor of the time, Edward G. Robinson, who plays a gangster named Johnny Roccoo who has taken over the community during the war. In his disillusionment, Frank is reluctant to stand up to Johnny despite his detriment to society and the ing characters in the film. Despite being 75 years old, Key Largo's themes and characters are still pertinent and relatable to modern audiences.
2 The Big Sleep (1946)
The Big Sleep is one of the best Bogart films ever made and marked the second onscreen pairing of Bogie and Bacall one year after their marriage. Hailed by critics as an exceptional film noir, The Big Sleep sees both Bogart and Bacall in their more traditional and acclaimed roles of rugged detective and femme fatale, respectively. Based on the bestselling novel by Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep is a quintessential crime mystery directed by celebrated director Howard Hawkes with a dense plot and plenty of twists. The onscreen chemistry between Bogie and Bacall is undeniable and is one of the most entertaining qualities of the film.
The Big Sleep masterfully combines elements of both film noir and gangster films that were popularized during the 1930s. It's celebrated for its complex and thrilling plot and high value for multiple viewings even to this day, especially because some viewers might find the story a bit too complicated to fully grasp on the first watch. One of the best aspects of The Big Sleep is its sharp and witty dialogue that matches its rapid-fire action-fueled pace. Despite the convoluted and jumpy plot, The Big Sleep proves that the story of any movie doesn't have to be fully understood to still be enjoyable given the right elements.
1 To Have And Have Not (1944)
To Have and Have Not marks the very first and best onscreen combination of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Making her Hollywood debut as Marie 'Slim' Browning, Bacall takes over as Bogie's cinematic love interest from Ingrid Bergman only two years after Casablanca. To Have and Have Not also takes place during World War II and is inspired by the novel by Ernest Hemingway. Bacall shines in her role as the alluring singer who captures Harry 'Steve' Morgan's (Bogart) attention as he tries to keep his business afloat and avoid the interference of the pervasive Nazi Party.
Howard Hawkes directs Bogart and Bacall in what appears to be an adventure film noir but at its heart is truly about their romance. To Have and Have Not is certainly the most well-balanced of Bogart and Bacall's four mutual films, possessing aspects of allure, comedy, tension, and drama. It was truly the calling card for Bacall to become a Hollywood icon and ended up being one of the most significant movies of both Bogie and Bacall's careers. Bacall's captivating performance at the age of 19 matched with Bogart's momentum from Casablanca combine to make To Have and Have Not the greatest Bacall and Bogart film.
