A Humphrey Bogart comes along only once in a century: someone who isnt conventionally handsome or particularly versatile but who can convince an audience that whatever character hes playing is of great importance because he represents something vital about themselves & their time. He honed his craft for years in the theatre only becoming a star at the age of 42 as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon". In the 16 years that were left to him he made an indelible mark on movies
- such that film-makers as diverse as Woody Allen & Jean-Luc Godard paid homage to him in their films. At the heart of this biography is Bogeys love affair with the 19-year-old Lauren Bacall who stole " To Have & Have Not"
- & his heart
- by lolling in a doorway tossing insolent remarks & teaching him to put his lips together & whistle."