After a lackluster film day, I decided it was time to go to the best of the best. Bogart is the undisputed king of motion pictures. He is the greatest movie star of all time. Yes, he is a somewhat limited actor, and when he stretched, things could get weird (his effeminate, bunny-petting vampire in The Return of Doctor X is a thing to behold). And he was nothing special as the cowardly villain in his early pics. But once he found his place, no one could touch him. And within the limits he kept to after that, he could do what no one else could. He was a master of emotion and power.
It’s easy to claim he is the best. He is simply in more of the greatest works of the screen than anyone. And not just a little more. No one is close. He is in masterpiece after masterpiece. It is downright freaky how many fantastic films he was in. Any of his top 12 would be a career highlight for anyone else. And he just keeps it up. There are fantastic films that don’t make my top list (High Sierra, Across the Pacific, Passage to Marseille) that would make a top list for any other film actor, but Bogart has too many great films.
I was doing lists of 8 before, but I just can’t cut Bogart to less than 12. These are absolute must see films. They are must own films. These are the films that you work to see on a big screen but love no matter how you see them. These are why I love cinema.
12 – Key Largo (1948) – Again with Lauren Bacall and director John Huston. As good as Bogart is, it is Edward G. Robinson, in one of his two best performances, and Claire Trevor who really nail this one. Both, in different ways, are so sad here. [Also on the Edward G. Robinson list] [Also on the Great Directors List for John Huston]
11 – The Petrified Forest (1936) – The film that kicked things off. Star Leslie Howard wouldn’t do the film unless they cast Bogart and Bogart is chilling.
10 – Sabrina (1954) – One of Bogart’s few comedies, and his only romantic comedy. Audrey Hepburn is delightful. [Also on the Audrey Hepburn list] [Also on the Great Directors List for Billy Wilder]
9 – The Caine Mutiny (1954) – An incredible performance. It had been a while since Bogart had played the villain, and then to turn that around and make what appeared as a vile character sympathetic was brilliant. Fred MacMurray was at his best.
8 – Sahara (1943) – It’s a wartime propaganda film, and the absolute best of its kind. It’s my favorite war pic with Bogart in control of a tank, with a crew of mixed nationals facing a German army.
7 – We’re No Angels (1955) – Bogart’s last great performance, and the most obscure film on my list. It is a Christmas comedy and absolutely lovely. (Review here) [Also on the Great Directors List for Michael Curtiz]
6 – To Have and Have Not (1944) – “You just put your lips together and blow.” Bogart fell in love with his young costar, Lauren Bacall, and so did I. [Also on the Great Directors List for Howard Hawks]
5 – The African Queen (1951) – John Huston and Bogart could do no wrong. Bogart’s only Academy Award and well deserved. Basically a two person show with him and Katherine Hepburn. [Also on the Katherine Hepburn list] [Also on the Great Directors List for John Huston]
4 – The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) – Huston was the director again in a stunning movie. Brilliant from start to finish. This is where the “stinkin’ badges” line comes from. [Also on the Great Directors List for John Huston]
3 – The Big Sleep (1946) – This is my go-to film. I may have seen it more than any other. It is a joy, yet it still qualifies as Film Noir. It’s funny, violent, twisted, nasty, and a great time. (Full Critique) [Also on the Great Directors List for Howard Hawks]
2 – The Maltese Falcon (1941) – A film that changed history. Great actors giving great performances with a great script and great themes. Damn! The camera work is the best I’ve ever seen, and it ranks about 7th on the list of why this movie is wonderful. (Full Critique) [Also on the Great Directors List for John Huston]
1 – Casablanca (1942) – It had to be. It is a true masterpiece in every way. It is startlingly good. Books have been written about why it is such a great film, so I’ll just leave it here at the top where it belongs. [Also on the Great Directors List for Michael Curtiz]