Your TOP Bogart movie..?

[Widebrim]

I've watched The Maltese Falcon with numerous groups of people, including family, friends and several classes full of film students. I have yet to find anyone who figured out from the film alone that Cairo was homosexual. It always has to be pointed out to them, and then they ask, "how do you know that?" Then you have to point out the scented business card among other things.

Yes contemporary reviewers found the film complicated, as they did with the book, but I don't think any of them didn't understand the blackmail plot.

Most people I know don't get the fact that Marriott is either. I think the fact that he is "going out with women" throws them off.

Doug

Yes, Marriot is one thing, but not picking up on Cairo is interesting. Perhaps such behavior is now not associated with any one type.

 

[skyvue]

I've watched The Maltese Falcon with numerous groups of people, including family, friends and several classes full of film students. I have yet to find anyone who figured out from the film alone that Cairo was homosexual. It always has to be pointed out to them, and then they ask, "how do you know that?" Then you have to point out the scented business card among other things.

They need to a) pay closer attention and (perhaps) b) watch more old movies.

It's readily apparent Cairo's gay.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Was Cairo gay or an effete European? An early Metrosexual if you will?

The unarguable givaway is the argument in Marlowe's apartment at the end of the film between Cairo and Brigid about the boy they both tried to seduce.

 

[Edward]

[video=youtube;-hmziWCj3JM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hmziWCj3JM[/video]

 

[Renault]

Actually, voted for Casablanca, as it is my favorite Claude Rains flick!

Renault

 

[Atomic Age]

They need to a) pay closer attention and (perhaps) b) watch more old movies.

It's readily apparent Cairo's gay.

Well that was kind of my point. A modern audience who isn't familiar with movies made during the production code, have a hard time picking up the cues.

Doug

 

[Widebrim]

Well that was kind of my point. A modern audience who isn't familiar with movies made during the production code, have a hard time picking up the cues.

Doug

Right, another example being in movies when it's said of a female character that "she had to leave town," which often means that she got pregnant and had to hid it.

 

[Feraud]

Well that was kind of my point. A modern audience who isn't familiar with movies made during the production code, have a hard time picking up the cues.

Doug

I'd say a guy with a scented business card is a clue audiences of any era can pick up on.

 

[Atomic Age]

I'd say a guy with a scented business card is a clue audiences of any era can pick up on.

I would too, but it goes by so fast in the movie, that most people today don't get it. And because he doesn't act stereotypically homosexual, it goes by the vast majority of people who watch the movie these days.

Doug

 

[Stanley Doble]

After all this no one has mentioned the relationship between Geiger and his boyfriend. Interesting. And it is one of the most important sub plots of the story.

 

[Widebrim]

After all this no one has mentioned the relationship between Geiger and his boyfriend. Interesting. And it is one of the most important sub plots of the story.

Actually, Atomic Age (Doug) did mention that a few posts ago.

 

[Atomic Age]

After all this no one has mentioned the relationship between Geiger and his boyfriend. Interesting. And it is one of the most important sub plots of the story.

Actually I did mention it.

Doug

 

[Mrs Chaddsley_Corbett]

Surely, even with an impeccably cut linen Suit, no one would find that particular over weight nasty creature attractive?, maybe I'm old fashioned?

 

[Doctor Damage]

I'm not sure why Cairo's homosexuality matters, since it doesn't matter to the film. Anyway, I voted for "Casablanca" for the usual reasons (as someone already pointed out), although I do enjoy the Big Sleep almost as much. I watched the "Maltese Falcon" for the second time a few days ago, but it's not one of my favourites - Bogie's character is simply too tough in the film and I prefer him in his more world-weary roles like "To Have And Have Not".

For Bogie fans, I recommend finding a copy of the largely forgotten "Sirocco" (spoiler warning). It's not one of his best, but it's not one of his worst and it's unquestionably solid entertainment. It's definitely a good "fedora and trenchcoat" film. I'd like to own a copy, but as far as I can tell it was only released on VHS.

 

[clossonrr]

I voted for Casablanca for the same "usual reasons." I also really enjoy Sabrina. I enjoy the character bogey plays and the way he plays it, and Audrey Hepburn is absolutely wonderful always.

 

[rocketeer]

My favourite Bogart film? Treasure of the Sierra Madre ,Just had to be added.

 

[green papaya]

Treasure of the Sierra Madre, because it has lots of action & adventure

the young Mexican boy selling newspapers was actor Robert Blake.

 

[Worf]

"Sahara" - Rough and rugged and not a romance in sight... except for Sgt. Gunn's love of "Lulabelle"

Worf

 

[Fading Fast]

Nice bump of an old thread. First thought - too many to choose from. Second thought, is it his best role, the best overall movie or the one I want to watch the most? So, proving that not only lawyers can do it, I decided to answer the question(s) I wanted to, not the one asked.

Best Movie Bogie is in: "Casablanca," and maybe his best role

His Best role: (see above) or "The Maltese Falcon" as he holds that powerful cast together and plays a character of questionable morality with integrity (not an easy thing to do)

Favorite Bogie scene: Bogie picking up a very so inclined "Dorothy Malone" in the bookshop scene in "The Big Sleep." Malone is so much "so inclined" that I'm surprised she didn't caused the very flammable cellulose nitrate film to self combust before it made it to theaters.

Best Bogie movie where he is not the strongest actor: "The Petrified Forest," Davis and Howard are more camera-comfortable, Bogie was still improving and learning, but an outstanding movie nonetheless

Best against-type Bogie movie: "The Caine Mutiny" he's not evil, just weak and scared, everything "Bogie" the legend is not - and he stole every scene he was in.

And two Bogie movies I have to mention: "The African Queen" he, Hepburn and a broken-down boat - not easy to make a great movie out of that, but it is / "Key Largo" more of a super-star cast than Bogie movie, but everyone one is perfect and shows how easily Bogie shared a scene and didn't need to be the lights-always-on-me star.

Big Bogie movie that doesn't work for me: "To Have and Have Not" It's like they tried to re-work Hemingway's story into a remake, kinda, of "Casablanca" and came up with something that isn't fish or fowl.

Favorite Bogie movie where he's about the least effective character: "Dark Victory" Davis powers this soap opera along while Bogie is miscast as an Irish groom, even Reagan was more convincing in this one.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Let's hear it for "The Roaring Twenties," the third and last on-screen collaboration between James Cagney and Mr. Bogart, proving that sometimes oil and water do, in fact, mix. This was made in 1939, before Bogart became BOGIE, but well after the heyday of the shoot-em-up gangster picture, and it feels very much like the handing off of the baton between one era and another. What Priscilla Lane, queen of all late-thirties B-picture ingenues, is doing in this one is anybody's guess, but the two stars are very effective before they both Get Theirs at the end. "He used to be a big shot!"

I'm also embarrassingly fond of "The Return of Doctor X," the lone Bogart foray into horror, a genre Warners never did particularly well. It has nothing to do whatever with the original "Doctor X" from 1932, with the title being just a clever gambit by the Boys to convince the audience otherwise, but Bogart does sport a hilarious skunk-stripe haircut. It's quite unlike anything else he ever did, and Bogart completists would do themselves a favor by seeking it out. It's just a real shame he wasn't available when they were making "Shh! The Octopus!"

"Damn you, J. L.! You'll pay for this!"