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Boxset Review: The Humphrey Bogart Signature Collection Vol. 1
Written by Gary Sweeney
The
first of two Humphrey Bogart Signature Collections, this set is
a must-have for film aficionados. Not only does it include (2) two-disc
special editions, but it also provides conclusive evidence of just
how good Bogie was as an actor. From Europe to the mountains and
the open road, this collection takes us away to the deepest recesses
of Hollywood brilliance ? a brilliance that Humphrey Bogart
mastered.
Casablanca (1943) Two-Disc Special Edition
The
Movie: Bogart in a white jacket. Bogart in a trench coat.
What better way to spend 102 minutes than to fall into one of the
most beloved movies of all time? Casablanca, Morocco is like refugee
purgatory. While attempting to escape Nazi rule, these men can do
nothing but wait for a visa to leave the country. The visas are
in extremely high demand, and two German letter carriers are soon
murdered for their load. Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt, a veteran
of German Expressionism, most notably ?The Cabinet of Dr.
Caligari?) and policeman Louis Renault (Claude Rains) are on a mission to find the seized letters. Strasser is determined
that the letters not fall in the possession of Victor Laszlo (Paul
Henreid), who is believed to be en-route to Casablanca. Strasser
and Renault conduct a search of Rick's Café Americain, run
by Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), in an attempt to find
the killer. Blaine is involved with the letters, but only in holding
them for Ugarte (Peter Lorre), a shifty visa dealer who
claims to have a buyer. Ugarte plans on leaving Casablanca with
his profits from the sale. Renault wants to arrest Ugarte and believes
that Blaine will get in the way. After Renault warns him about interfering,
Blaine delivers a sharp ?I stick my neck out for nobody?.
Ugarte is arrested, and Victor Laszlo arrives at Rick?s café
soon after with companion Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Laszlo
is a leader of the Czech underground who contacts his counterparts
while Ilsa asks Sam the piano player (Dooley Wilson) to
play ?As Time Goes By?. Blaine is angry upon hearing
the song (which he?d asked Sam never to play) and
tries to stop him. Ilsa catches Blaine?s eye and he remembers
their love affair of long ago. The Nazis had invaded Paris and Ilsa
warned Rick to flee. He agreed to leave only in her company, so
she?d promised to meet him at a train station ? a promise
that went unfulfilled. As Blaine shakes off the painful memories,
Ilsa tries to explain away her past actions. He lashes out at her
in a drunken stupor, causing her to walk out. The following day,
Laszlo and Ilsa learn that Ugarte was killed in police custody.
This prompts Laszlo to confront Blaine about buying the letters.
In a bit of spite, Blaine refuses to sell the letters and suggests
that Laszlo ask Ilsa for an explanation. Major Strasser soon orders
Rick?s café to be closed for petty reasons. Blaine
meets with Ilsa later in the evening and listens to her justification
for standing him up years ago. She?d married Laszlo in secret,
but feared him dead and agreed to leave with Blaine for the simple
fact of being a widow. However, at the last minute, she?d
learn that Laszlo was never killed. Realizing that she and Blaine
still love each other, she asks him to make decisions for the both
of them. Laszlo is arrested while hiding out and pleads with Blaine
to use the letters for Ilsa?s departure from Casablanca. The
timeless ending to this film rains on the viewer with magic. The
scene has been immortalized a million times over on merchandise
and in various tributes. This is the prototypical Bogart ?
a tragic hero, not only to those who encounter him on screen, but
to every person fortunate enough to observe the workings of a true
icon. The DVD: This fantastic two-disc special
edition is jam-packed with bonus features. It?s a testament
to the film?s significance in history. Casablanca defined
a generation ravaged by the effects of World War II. It also spoke
volumes on the public?s need for a hero. Bogart?s bravado
validated the will of America, in times of crisis and otherwise.
The bonus features on this collector?s edition include: A
commentary by: critic Roger Ebert and author-historian Rudy Behlmer,
a new digital transfer with an Introduction by Lauren Bacall, nearly
10 minutes of newly found deleted scenes and outtakes, two documentaries
hosted by Lauren Bacall - "You Must Remember This" and
"Bacall on Bogart", "The Children Remember":
parental memories from Stephen Bogart and Ingrid Bergman's daughters
Pia Lindstrom and Isabella Rosselini, The Looney Tunes homage "Carrotblanca",
Premier episode from the 1955 Casablanca TV series, Audio-only treasures:
"Screen Guild Players Radio Production" with the three
stars, plus rare scoring session outtakes, Production history gallery:
Photos, press materials, studio correspondence, memorabilia, musical
outtakes, and production history, DVD-ROM script to screen and weblinks.
This is without a doubt, the definitive version of Casablanca to
own.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
(1948) Two-Disc Special Edition
The
Movie: Humphrey Bogart is Fred Dobbs in this tale of gold
prospecting, directed by John Huston (who?d directed Bogart
in 1941?s The Maltese Falcon, 1942?s Across the Pacific,
and would go on to direct him in 1948?s Key Largo, 1951?s
The African Queen and 1953?s Beat the Devil). Dobbs is
a bit down on his luck when he begins work in a Mexican oil field.
There, he meets Bob Curtin (Tim Holt), a fellow American
with whom he forms camaraderie. The two men shack up in a run-down
boarding house after the day?s work is complete. During the
night, Howard (Walter Huston), a career prospector, begins
rambling about past men who?d lost everything trying to strike
it rich while digging for gold. Dobbs, somewhat of an egotist, brags
that he would never fail in such fashion. Pat McCormick (Barton
MacLane, a career Bogart co-star), the man who hired Dobbs
and Curtin, has a reputation for stiffing his workers. They decide
not to be played for a fool and confront McCormick for immediate
payment. McCormick reacts with physical violence but is clearly
overpowered. Dobbs and Curtin pick his pockets, taking only their
due instead of cleaning him out. Not wanting a life of random odd
jobs, the two men ask Howard to help them prospect for gold. Howard
agrees and the three hopefuls set out for the Sierra Madre mountains.
Bandits lead by Gold Hat (Alfonso Bedoya) attack their
train, but Dobbs and Curtin are able to fend off the assailants.
They forget about the small hindrance and continue towards unexplored
land. They manage to locate a windfall of gold and respond in jubilation.
However, the discovery plays on Dobbs? paranoia and he suggests
that the gold be divided up (so as not to be cheated by his
partners). Unbeknownst to each other, all three men have become
paranoid. Curtin even considers leaving Dobbs to die when Dobbs
is trapped in a cave-in, but reconsiders. Curtin soon encounters
James Cody (Bruce Bennett) on a routine run for supplies.
Cody is prospecting as well, and asks Curtin about the holdings
of the surrounding mountains. Curtin brushes off the interrogation,
but is followed by Cody back to the camp, where Cody decides to
partner with the three. Gold Hat?s band of criminals attack
again, and although they are eventually scared away, the gunfire
of the assault leaves Cody dead. As time wears on the men, Dobbs
becomes increasingly obsessed with the gold. He begins to have delusions
about threats on his life and being robbed for his share of the
findings. In a bizarre series of events, Dobbs shoots Curtin and
leaves him to die. However, Curtin manages to survive and pairs
up with Howard to go after Dobbs. Gold Hat?s bandits find
Dobbs first and kill him for his supplies. The bandits are completely
ignorant to the gold on Dobbs and unload it in the desert. The bandits
themselves are eventually shot and killed, leaving only Howard and
Curtin to sort out the path for the rest of their lives. The
DVD: In yet another two-disc special edition, this film
was done great justice. Bogart is once again opposite his usual
self. The scenery is this film is nothing short of amazing. It took
5 ½ months to shoot, and although it was nearly a month over-schedule,
the ends certainly justify the means. The video and audio transfers
are equally stunning, and with so many scenes filmed on dusty terrain,
it provides that much more to appreciate. The special features in
this edition include: A commentary by author/historian Eric
Lax, All-new transfer from restored picture and audio elements,
Warner Night at the Movies, 1948 introduced by Leonard Maltin including
trailers, newsreel, short subject and cartoon "Hot Cross Bunny",
Humphrey Bogart trailer gallery, New documentary, Discovering Treasure:
The Story of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (2003),
Documentary John Huston: The Man, the Movies, the Maverick (1989),
Galleries: Dressed-set photos, storyboards, cast/crew photos, &
publicity, Audio vault: Lux Theatre broadcast of "The Treasure
of the Sierra Madre" and Cartoon "8 Ball Bunny".
Gold aside, the film is a treasure in itself. It?s also a
salute to Bogart?s versatility. Any actor that can effectively
play so many roles is destined to become a legend. As we all know,
Bogie is just that.
They Drive by Night (1940)
The
Movie: It?s well known in the classic Hollywood community
that many of Bogart?s crowning achievements were films initially
turned down by George Raft. In this tale of life on the road, the
two are side by side, with the beautiful Ann Sheridan thrown in
to cool the raging egos. Humphrey Bogart is Paul Fabrini. He and
his brother Joe (George Raft), earn a paltry living as
independent truck drivers. Their jobs are sporadic, and the future
is all but bright with no steady source of income. The two have
their own truck, which is a great advantage but hasn?t been
paid for in full. Joe wants to run his own trucking business, but
Paul is exhausted with the pressure and wants to settle down with
his wife Pearl (Gale Page). Ed Carlsen (Alan Hale) owns a large trucking company and offers Joe a job. When Joe refuses (due to his frustration over working for someone else),
Paul agrees to continue their independent romp until the truck is
paid off. On a routine run (the last one needed to pay the truck
off), Paul falls asleep while driving and takes the vehicle
over a cliff. The accident causes Paul to lose an arm. Ed Carlsen's
wife Lana (Ida Lupino) is in love with Joe. She convinces
Ed to offer Joe a managerial job in the office. Joe accepts the
job, knowing he is Paul?s only source of financial support.
Despite her constant persuasions, Joe has no interest in Lana, but
rather is in love with Cassie Hartley (Ann Sheridan). Cassie
is the wise-cracking waitress at a popular trucker hangout. Her
ability to handle herself makes her ?one-of-the-guys?,
albeit the most beautiful one. This is what drives Joe wild. Lana
doesn?t give up easily and throws herself at Joe during at
party. Again, he refuses her in the interest of being a good friend
to Ed. This final rejection sends Lana into a rage, and she orchestrates
the ?accidental? death of her husband. She returns to
offer Joe a partnership in the trucking company, but soon blames
her husband?s death on him when she learns of his plans to
marry Cassie. The police believe the distressed widow; and, Joe
is charged as an accomplice. Lana, under the weight of her own lies, finally buckles and spills her guts on
the witness stand. The DVD: From the title alone, we understand just where this film is going.
This is the kind of story best suited for an isolated night, though
the quality is nothing to hide from. The video transfer is obviously
the result of careful restoration, and the audio is just sharp enough
to catch the wind of Bogie?s verbal uppercuts. In a film such
as this, where quick-witted vernacular is traded back and forth,
it?s important that pieces of dialogue not be lost. The result
is a satisfying glimpse at this 1940 classic, the way it was intended
to be seen and heard. Special features include: "Divided
Highway: The Story of They Drive by Night" featurette and "Swingtime
in the Movies".
High Sierra (1941)
The
Movie: A second Bogart-Lupino collaboration of this set
is High Sierra. Directed by Raoul Walsh (who would go on to
work with Bogart on 1943?s Action in the North Atlantic and
1951?s The Enforcer), High Sierra stars Humphrey Bogart
as Roy "Mad Dog" Earle, a bank robber who is released
from prison when one of his mob associates buys his freedom from
the Governor. That associate is ?Big Mac? (Donald
MacBride). However, Earle?s freedom is not exactly ?free?.
In exchange, Mac wants him to oversee another crime out west. Earle
stops to visit his childhood farm on his way to the Sierra Nevada
Mountains. The visit is short-lived when his criminal face is recognized
by a passing local. Earle meets up with Red (Arthur Kennedy) and Babe (Alan Curtis) when he arrives, two juvenile wannabe
thugs who hardly have the discipline to control themselves. In addition,
he doesn?t like that Babe?s girlfriend Marie Garson (Ida Lupino) is hanging around. Earle is not amused, and
a bit irritated that he has to consort with such amateurs. Earle?s
reputation is legendary in the world of crime, so this ?gang?
of his is more star struck than anything. Leaving them behind, he
heads to meet a waiting Big Mac in Los Angeles. While driving, he
gets into an accident with Ma and Pa Goodhue (Elisabeth Risdon
and Henry Travers), two seniors with their granddaughter Velma (Joan Leslie) in tow. Rather than fly off the handle, Earle
is actually sympathetic towards the Goodhues. He notices that Velma
has a clubfoot, which Pa laments could be repaired with surgery
if the money was available. Earle is clearly infatuated with Velma
and gives the Goodhues some cash before he continues on to Los Angeles.
He arrives in LA to find an ailing Big Mac, who confesses that he
desperately needs the money from the impending robbery. Meanwhile,
a doctor visits Velma (at Earle?s request) to examine her
foot. Earle volunteers to fund the operation, despite his knowledge
of Velma?s involvement with another man. Earle subconsciously
believes his act of heroism will drive Velma into his arms, with
the approval of the Goodhues. He returns to the mountains and finds
the gang in disarray. Red and Babe have broken into a fight over
Marie, who pleads with Earle to let her stay with him. Against his
better judgment, he relents. The night of the robbery arrives and
nothing goes according to plan. Earle has no choice but to shoot
a guard and make a quick getaway. Red and Babe are killed in the
escape, leaving only Marie as his accomplice. The two make it back
to LA with the stolen property, but quickly retreat after learning
that Big Mac is dead and Earle is forced to kill an ex-policeman.
They are again on the run, but Earle?s feelings for Velma
will not let him proceed without seeing her once more. He visits
Velma and finds her with her boyfriend, which angers him. Earle
and Velma exchange harsh words before he walks out the door?and
out of her life. Still running, Earle puts Marie on a bus to get
her out of harm?s way, but she re-routes after hearing that
the police are chasing him. The excitement culminates in a standoff between Earle (hiding in the mountains)
and the police who are determined to take him one way or another. The DVD: As with
the other films in the set, this restoration was top notch. Perhaps
the most enjoyable thing about the disc, aside from the film itself,
was the bonus feature: "Curtains for Roy Earle" - an all-new featurette on the making of the film. It was certainly
interesting to see Bogie on the wrong side of the law. We?re
accustomed to his smooth detective exterior and rigid sense of logic.
But here, he is almost the polar opposite. He?s a man who
cares about himself, but whose logic is tampered with in the face
of a beautiful young cripple. It?s perhaps that internal struggle
that lead him down the jagged road to a surefire pitfall. Whatever
the case may be, this is more classic Bogie for the enthusiast,
and a great addition to any film library ? no matter what
side of the mountain you?re on.
THE CONCLUSION
They sure don?t make ?em
like they used to, but thankfully we can still enjoy them. Humphrey
Bogart was more than an actor, he was an original. In the
passing years, he has become the embodiment of true artistic genius.
It?s that level of ability that makes this collection a fitting
representation of the man who gave us classic after classic, and
whose influence continues to grip the very industry he once dominated.
With unparalleled honesty, Dyan Cannon shares the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of her magical romance and stormy marriage to screen legend Cary Grant. He was the ultimate star, defining Hollywood glamour as well as cinematic achievement. She was a bright new actress, beautiful and funny, who would one day prove her talent by being the first woman to receive Academy Award nominations for her work on-screen and behind the camera. When he asked to meet Dyan, she assumed it was for an acting part, but he had a different role in mind for her...and so began a storybook romance that brought her to dizzying heights. On his arm, she found herself traveling in the inner circles of power and glamour in which Cary Grant was king, with friends such as Noël Coward, Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, and so many others considered Hollywood royalty. Behind closed doors, she discovered a Cary no one knew. A thoughtful, caring, and private person, with dark family secrets that weighed heavily on him. He was a man contending with the swan song of an astonishing film career while her career was just beginning. Despite the age difference, they fell in love, got married, and had a beautiful daughter together. Happily Ever After still proved elusive, and their relationship was beset with tragic twists and turns. It took a tremendous toll on Dyan as she struggled to keep her heart and mind intact. With rare photos and never-before-seen letters and notes from Cary Grant, Dear Cary is told with poignancy and hard-won wisdom. For anyone who has ever loved and lost, Dyan Cannon’s memoir is an exploration of what love means, and an inspirational story of surviving life’s slings and arrows. Click HERE to order!
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