seeking Bogart advise

[mr-d]

Gentlemen,
let me first state that this is a fantastic forum, and I look forward to discussions of classic whatnot. I am a collector of hats and vintage clothing, mostly turn of the century Edwardian and Victorian.
My question is this: I have the great fortune of playing Humphrey Bogart in a Kansas City production of 'Play It Again, Sam', and my hope is to do it right. I am a huge, lifelong fan of classic cinema, and a fan of Bogart as well. I'm looking for the perfect Bogie fedora, and not sure where to turn. So far I haven't found what I'm looking for on eBay, and am close to buying either the 'Bogart' or the 'Cagney' on the Village Hat Shop website.
Any recommendations? Any tips on the brim size, or brand of hat he wore in 'Casablanca' or 'The Maltese Falcon'?
Looking forward to your replies,
Mr. D

 

[gdkenoyer]

"In search of..."

Wecome Mr. D.

Could I suggest you try the Search feature on this forum? I have no doubt that you will get a slew of replies, but sometimes doing a search will save time.
One interesting string that searching on "Casablanca" pulled up is one labeled Looking for a "Bogie" hat on a budget..

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I can't really help with a Bogart fedora, but I would like to see a photo of you in costume once you find everything you're looking for, if you wouldn't mind.

Good luck in your search and welcome to The Lounge.

 

[fedoralover]

Here's a pic of one of his fedora's. He had a pretty narrow face so the brim on his fedora was probably only about 2 1/4 inchs wide.

fedoralover

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Try our own!

If you want a Bogie hat that you can wear for ever I would give Art Fawcett a call at 1-888-270-3954. He can make you a custom for a little more than factory prices. He is a excellent hatter.

 

[MK]

.

Art does fine work. I don't know if his shop is up and running yet.

If you get really lucky, you might find a vintage lid like that. I had Graham at Optimo make one for me. He got it right ln the second try. You do a search on it here and you can read all about it here.

 

[Harry Lime]

It's the head, not the hat...

Better than trying to duplicate Bogart's exact fedora is to replicate the style of the age to your dimensions. Maybe your face, head shape, stature are exactly the same as Bogart's; probably not. If not, wearing his "exact hat" will make you look like a lot of modern guys - a man in a hat that fits incorrectly. People looked better in hats during teh Golden Age by and large because there was more knowledge and emphasis on correct fit. Call Graham or Art, send them your picture, and you'll be fit properly. You will exude Bogart more confidently in a hat that fits you properly (and is equally fine.)

Harry

 

[Michael Mallory]

This may be a controversial suggestion since it's a cheap hat, and the people here tend to be hat snobs, but the Golden Gate Chicago is the closest I've seen to a Bogie fedora.

Best of luck with your show! I worked once with Jerry Lacy, who played Bogie in both the Broadway production and film of "Play It Again, Sam," and I once had the chance to do a Bogie...at least a broad parody of Bogie...for a Honda training film.

 

[mr-d]

much thanks, gents. I appreciate the advise. I've read thru some of your other postings on the topic, and think I have some good ideas to work with. I agree with the 3rd Man (Harry Lime) that a hat that looks and fits my face will work better than a Bogie duplicate. My face is more on the narrow side, like Bogart, so I plan to stick with a smaller brim... a 2 inch looks to small on me, so a 2 1/4 should work. My hat size is a 7 1/4, so I don't have much trouble finding vintage hats that fit. This being my first time playing Bogie, I'm trying not to watch too many impersonators (Jerry Lacy was great, though) and stick with the classic films. My wife recently worked with a Bogart impersonator when booking him for a company function. Let's just say his online photo was AT LEAST 15 years old (he had really let himself go)..

thanks again,
Mr D