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To Have and Have Not (1944)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
7/09, 7/12, 10/23
7/09:
To Have and Have Not is the famous film that saw Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall going hot and heavy for each other.
Both are at their best, and it's a classic in every way with reminders of Casablanca in
spots. Prior to making the movie, Howard Hawks had a bet going on with Ernest Hemingway to see if he could turn the author's
worst book into a cinema success. Obviously, there's no question of who won.
It's hard to believe Lauren Bacall was nineteen at the time of filming. Unfortunately, she played the same character
over and over throughout her career. Humphrey Bogart is Humphrey Bogart, but there's something different this time:
serious motivation to create something magical with his future wife.
All in all, To Have and Have Not is the one to see for all fans of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
7/12:
Instead of To Have and Have Not, the title should be Can't Have Enough of Each Other.
That much is evident by the way Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall interacted on screen. Naturally enough, he cheated on
his wife with her, and they would marry a year after the film was completed. The most famous line of Lauren Bacall's career
is: "Anybody got a match?" And she would never be as good again. If it wasn't for her, I doubt
To Have and Have Not would've been the classic that it is. Lauren Bacall is the kerosene, and Humphrey Bogart is
the fire. They both ignite.
To Have and Have Not may be a rip-off of Casablanca, but let's face it: it's all about
Bogart and Bacall, and nothing else. It's amusing to see them calling each other "Slim" and "Steve" instead of their character's
real names. Then, it's her being jealous of him when he's in the presence of Madame de Bursac (Dolores Moran).
By the way, Howard Hawks was reported to be jealous of Humphrey Bogart because Lauren Bacall wanted him instead, so he settled
for Dolores Moran (who was supposed to have a larger role in the film) as they had a small fling of their own. At least, the
director didn't let his ego get in the way by deciding to capitalize on the romance between the two stars.
All in all, To Have and Have Not is a timeless classic.
10/23:
Recently, I worked on Best Chemistry list and was deciding for a minute who Humphrey Bogart made better connection with:
Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca or Lauren Bacall in To Have and Have Not.
Well, the choice was easy by going with the latter, and that's why they got married afterwards. Forget the fact that the film is a
Casablanca remake. The way Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall play off each other is
dynamite. There's nothing like it before or since then.
All in all, without Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, there's no To Have and Have Not.