William J. Mann (1) (1963–)

Pretty good bio of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. I found the parts on Bogey more satisfying that the parts on Bacall. The book did point out that it was Bacall who has fashioned the image of Bogart. I do have some "qualms" about some sentences in the book. Page 216 lists colleagues that were "actually fighting with the Allies" and includes John Huston in that list. According to Mark Harris' book Five Came Back, it did not appear that Huston did much, if any fighting. On Page 270 the book discusses how Bacall lowered her voice by projecting in her hotel room. In Todd McCarthy's bio Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood, it was Hawks who told her to go out to the canyons and yell til her voice was hoarse (and supposedly he used this method for Lizabeth Scott as well). The discussion of Bogart's and Bacall's visit to DC to protect the House Un-American Activities Committee was covered and yes, Bogart and Bogart were the highest profile actors in DC. And later they issues a statement indicating their trip was ill-advised. In a seminar in 1997 on the blacklisting, actress Marsha Hunt, seemed to hold bad feelings about Bogart's turnaround on this and felt he did it to save his career. I am not sure how she spoke at other events but at this one, she seemed to have felt betrayed by Bogart. Larry Adler, who was part of the entourage who went to DC, indicated in his autobiography entitled "It Ain't Necessarily So" that Bogart was the first to cave and that caused other high profile members like Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye to leave as well. Adler also gives a very good portrayal of what Bogart was like when intoxicated (a very nasty drunk). Overall, the book gives a really good look at Bogart's early life as well as his support of his mother and sisters after he became famous. There is no filmography but overall, I would recommend for any fan of Bogart or Bacall.… (altro)