Monday, September 8, 2014

Lauren Bacall-Part 3 on my list



Lauren Bacall born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924-died August 12, 2014.

She became a hit with her first film, met and married her co-star Humphrey Bogart and remained married to him until his death from cancer. She was sultry in voice and body and men loved to whistle if that meant she would come to them (You have to see the first film she made). Her nickname was Slim and she preferred to be called Betty in her private life.  Bogie and Bacall made 4 films together and they started the famous rat pack, not Frank Sinatra. After Bogie died, she became involved with Sinatra who promptly dumped her when she mentioned to the press they may get married (nice guy eh?). She married Jason Robards Jnr whom she later divorced. She was strong-willed, sexy, gutsy and spoke her mind. I love it that one her last "roles" was on Family Guy. Now I don't watch that show but I think it is quite funny that this 89 year old Grand Dame lent her voice to this program. Now on to my favourite top 10. Again if there are any you can add, let me know:)

10. The Mirror Has Two Faces-1996- OK I resisted this film for a while because it was produced, directed and stars Barbra Streisand who, at that time, seemed to have a head as big as Cleveland. Don't get me wrong, I love her in "What's Up Doc" and "Funny Girl" and she has a beautiful voice but she can be annoying:) Have you ever tried to sit through "Yentl". OK this film is redeemed by the great acting of Lauren Bacall and when she was nominated for an Oscar (her first!), everyone expected her to win...she didn't (Juliette Binoche won for "The English Patient").

9. Young Man With A Horn-1950- This is supposed to be based on the life of Bix Beiderbecke who did not have a happy ending and this film does but most films gloss things over. It is a good film with solid acting and Lauren plays a woman who is not the most sympathetic.

8. Written On The Wind-1956-A Douglas Sirk film. He directed "Magnificent Obsession" and "Imitation of Life" and is known for great melodramas and that 1950's colour one thinks of in a typical film from that era. It is fun, a bit trashy and all played to the hilt by Bacall and Rock Hudson.

7. The Shootist-1976-This, to me, is one of the saddest films because it shows an ailing John Wayne in his last role as a once great western man, fast with a gun, who is dying of cancer. I cry every time and, if this was a list on John Wayne's films, it would be higher but this is on Lauren Bacall. She plays his one time girlfriend who still harbours feeling for him and vice versa but knows it is of know use. Considering she was an ardent democrat and he was an ardent Republican, they still both got on well and they respected one another off screen.

6. Dark Passage-1947-An interesting camera style as it is shot, mostly, from looking through the eyes of Bogie's character. This is the third pairing of Bogie and Bacall and she does a great job as his love interest.

5. How To Marry a Millionaire-1953- This is quite a fun comedy starring Bacall as a smart gal who doesn't believe in true love but believes in marrying for money...in other words, all the fake T & A gals of today who are marrying old male stars who have one foot in the grave. I digress. It also stars Betty Grable in one of her final roles and Marilyn Monroe who does a great comedic performance as a very blind gal, when not wearing her glasses, looking for money..um...I mean a man. It is fun, and shows 3 different women but all are strong.

4. Key Largo-1948- This is the last pairing of Bogie and Bacall on the big screen. Edward G  Robinson plays another bad man but always great. His gang is holed up in a home with Lionel Barrymore as the patriarch and Bacall plays his daughter. The tension of the people being kept prisoner by the gang really sets the tone. Claire Trevor won an Oscar for her boozy take on a good girl gone a bad way. I always cringe at how Lionel Barrymore is treated in the film as he was really in a wheelchair suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis.

3. To Have And To Have Not-1944- The film that introduced Bacall to the world and also to Bogie her future husband.  "You know how to whistle Steve....you just put your lips together ..and blow". Sultry, sexy, strong and she sings in this film. Not bad for a first start!

2. Murder On The Orient Express- 1974-Agatha Christie novel starring a cast of characters all stuck on the famed train. There are many big stars on this film from Albert Finney, Sean Connery to Ingrid Bergman but Lauren Bacall just about steals the show as a blowsy rich dame who talks up a storm. Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for her performance but I think it should have been given to Bacall.

1. The Big Sleep-1946- The plot is so mind bending that if you can figure it out I shall give you a gold star. The great acting from Bogie and Bacall is so classic in the second outing together it is a pleasure to see them spur and bring on the heat especially when they are talking about horse racing but they mean something entirely different. Thank god the censors were too dull-witted to get the true meaning.

So here we are my 3rd outing on 3 greats we lost during the summer. I know all of you have lost a wonderful friend in the blogging world and I would have made a sunflower card in  Tina's honour but my supplies are packed up at the moment. May you all have a wonderful time remembering your friend.

50 comments:

  1. Murder on the Orient Express is one of the greatest mystery movies of all-time :)

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  2. She and Bogart made quite a pair.
    I remember her voice on Family Guy - she obviously had a sense of humor!

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  3. Bogie and Bacall are two of my all-time favorites. I think she had a natural sexiness, not the fake kind.

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  4. The fact that she lent her voice to Family Guy, at age 89, makes her my idol. I had no idea. Thanks, Brigit.

    As far as Sinatra? He thought he as all that?! His loss.

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    1. Oh Sinatra thought he was more. i was surprised he could put his head through a shirt

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  5. I love How to Marry a Millionaire.

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  6. Ah to be a Dame like Lauren Bacall. She had such a feisty look to her. And her voice. I love her voice. All deep and smouldering, the kind I wish I had. :-) Wonderful post, Birgit!

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  7. I honestly don't think I've ever seen one of her earlier movies--only her when she was older. I remember a song in the 80s called "Key Largo" that talked about "Bogie and Bacall" and I had no idea whom he was singing about. I figured it out later in life, obviously!

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    1. what song is that? I hope you get to see one of her films with Bogie.

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    2. Key Largo by Bertie Higgins. I think it was a pretty big hit in the early 80s.

      http://youtu.be/Ru2tsT32pHA

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  8. Reading about Lauren Bacall reminded me of my dad. He enjoyed watching her films.

    I agree with you, reading the posts about Tina have been heartwarming.

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    1. Bacall must have been one of his favourites-great pick for him.

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  9. Oooh I remember her on FG - couldn't believe my ears. That voice is unique. She was in her element in MOTOE. Can't understand why she didn't win. And the Big Sleep ... every time I watch it, it gets better. Has to be my all time fave. Thanks for this Birgit. I thoroughly enjoyed this post.
    hugs, Asha

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    1. Thanks Asha! The Big Sleep is great...I tried to follow the plot every time but I lose out but it doesn't matter as it is just great to watch

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  10. Loved the tribute. What a class act. I agree, The Shootist was a good movie, but sad.d

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  11. I didn't know she voiced a role on Family Guy. Too funny. :D

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  12. Oh god, Yentl is a nightmare! "Papa can you hear me? Papa can you see me?" UGH somebody just knock me out instead. Barbra IS talented but she IS annoying.

    Anyway. Back to Lauren! I've always loved her and always thought she had one of the sexiest voices I've ever heard. It was great to learn more about her - as always!!

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    1. That song is one of the worst and it goes through my head like a buzz saw. I wish I had a voice like Lauren but, alas, I do not:)

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  13. You sure covered some great oldies here. I loved Key Largo, The Big Sleep and Murder on the Orient Express. I should see them again with a perspective from an older me.

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    1. It is always interesting to see these films after such a long time-seem to always catch something new and have a different perspective

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    2. I'm finding greater pleasure in older films these days. My age? I guess.

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  14. That's a wide range you covered over there-- must go and read the earlier posts.

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  15. Bogie and Bacall - a great pair. I loved her voice.

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  16. I've always loved Lauren Bacall. I read her memoir many years ago - so interesting. Thanks for commenting on my post. King Kong and Josh Grobin, huh? You sure have imaginative dreams! :)

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    1. She is quite unique and yes my dreams are just on the other side of nutty

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  17. Oh, Bacall! Love her, even though I was too young to see her in her glory. But she always struck me as a great actress. (Funny note: I *love* Yentl :D )

    Thanks for stopping over at my blog earlier, Birgit, and for all the love you bring with you.
    Guilie @ Life In Dogs

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    1. Hahahaaaa-Yentl? "Papa, can you hear me?" That song drove me round the bend:)

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  18. Hope you've had a great weekend. We'll have a brief moment of silence for its ending....

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  19. Yeah, a classy lady indeed. Defined the word "feisty."

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  20. I really enjoyed/enjoy watching Lauren Bacall. Quite a classy actress and what a screen presence! I am always impressed by such actresses who fill up the screen with their persona, they are such a delight to watch/hear. By the way, I liked what you said about Barbara Streisand, she can also be annoying, I agree :)

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    1. Thank you so much about your comment-she did light up the screen and giggling about Barbra

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