Summary
As a legend of classic Hollywood and a true American icon,Humphrey Bogartwas best known for his work within the film noir genre. While film noir was a collective term that every viewer has a slightly different definition of, it was most popular during the 1940s and 1950s and was often categorized by cynical attitudes, a black-and-white style, and crime stories involving hard-boiled detectives, cunning femme fatales, and convoluted but engrossing narratives. Bogart was known for these kinds of films as he expertly played heroes and villains in these timeless classics of the Hollywood studio system.
Bogart’s feature film career began in the 1930s, and before long, he made a name for himself with noir roles for acclaimed directors like John Huston and Howard Hawks. As a leading man, Bogart starred in some of thebest film noirs of all time, likeThe Big SleepandThe Maltese Falcon, and often co-starred with his wife, Lauren Bacall. A true titan of the genre,Bogart’s incredible charisma and impressive screen presence made him the quintessential film noir starand cemented his reputation among the greatest actors who ever lived.
Midnight
Cast
Midnight, directed by Chester Erskine, follows Edward Weldon, whose role as jury foreman leads to Ethel Saxon’s death sentence. Concurrently, Weldon’s daughter Stella confesses to the murder of her lover, the gangster Garboni, raising complex questions of justice and morality.
Midnightwas a pre-code crime drama with noir elements and one of Humphrey Bogart’s earliest film roles, which, although he’s often given top billing when referenced today, he only had a minor role in. With a story of adultery, murder, and even the electric chair,Midnightwas packed with melodrama based on a play by Paul and Claire Sifton. Following Bogart’s success throughout the 1940s,Midnightwasre-released under a new titlein 1949,Call It Murder, with Bogart presented as the star even though he originally received eighth billing.
Tokyo Joe
Tokyo Joe is a post-World War II film featuring an American veteran’s return to Tokyo, where he attempts to reconnect with his past life. As he navigates the city, he encounters pressures from both criminal elements and law enforcement, complicating his efforts to restore his former existence.
As just one of many films where Humphrey Bogart played a World War II veteran,Tokyo Joetold the story of an American in post-WWII Tokyo caught between the authorities and criminals. Bogart portrayed Joe Barrett in a role that played into his hard-living reputation as a veteran trying to pick up the pieces of his pre-war bar-based and gambling life.Tokyo Joewas an enjoyable picture made well after Bogart had become a star but failed to live up to his best achievements from this era.
Conflict
Conflict is a 1945 film directed by Curtis Bernhardt, starring Humphrey Bogart as Richard Mason. The story revolves around Mason’s intricate plan to eliminate his wife so he can pursue a relationship with her sister. The plot weaves suspense and psychological tension amid themes of betrayal and deception.
While Humphrey Bogart was often the quintessential film noir hero, inConflict,viewers witnessed him in a villainous turn in a story about a man who murdered his wife.Conflictwas one of five films where Bogart acted opposite Sydney Greenstreet, which also includedCasablancaandThe Maltese Falcon, but was the only one where it was Bogart and not Greenstreet who played the corrupt person or villain. WhileConflicthit all the right notes for a compelling film noir, it failed to leave a lasting impact on the genre.
The Two Mrs. Carrolls
An artist forms an attachment with a woman on holiday in the country. As the relationship develops, his behavior and information about his past cause her increasing concern.
Malice, murder, and mystery were involved in the story ofThe Two Mrs.Carrolls, which starred Humphrey Bogart as the painter Geoffrey Carroll, a married man who had an affair with Sally Morton (Barbara Stanwyck) while on vacation. With classic film noir themes of deceit and mistrust,The Two Mrs. Carrollswas a deceitfully creepy entry in Bogart’s filmographythat has maintained its suspenseful power to this day. With two notable stars at the helm,The Two Mrs. Carrollswas a real treat for lovers of film noir.
Sirocco
Sirocco, directed by Curtis Bernhardt, is a film set in 1925 Damascus during the Syrian revolt against French occupation. Humphrey Bogart stars as Harry Smith, a mysterious American arms dealer entangled with gunrunners, navigating the perilous political landscape and his own turbulent alliances.
Siroccowas a thriller set in Damascus in 1925 that mimicked many of the elements that madeCasablancasuch a success and blended them with the nihilism of the film noir genre. Humphrey Bogart played Harry Smith, a cynical American expatriate who got mixed up in gun smuggling for rebels during the 1925 Syrian insurgency against French occupation. With an exotic location and characters of ambiguous morality,Siroccowas entertaining, butits striking similarity to one of the greatest films ever made consistently reminded viewers that it was noCasablanca.
They Drive By Night
They Drive By Night, directed by Raoul Walsh, follows Joe and Paul Fabrini, independent truck drivers striving to keep their small transport business afloat. As they face challenges from distributors, competitors, and debt collectors, the brothers navigate the struggles of the trucking industry.
The famed starlet Ann Sheridan reunited with herSan Quentinco-star Humphrey Bogartfor the film noirThey Drive By Night, about two transport company truck drivers trying to make a living during the Depression. With accusations of murder, carbon monoxide poisoning, and plenty of hard-boiled cliches,They Drive By Nightwas released asThe Road to Friscoin the United Kingdom. With elements of comedy, romance, and chock-full of tragedy,They Drive By Nightwas a hidden gem beloved by film aficionados.
Knock On Any Door
An attorney defends a hoodlum of murder, using the oppressiveness of the slums to appeal to the court.
Although director Nicholas Ray would produce his finest Humphrey Bogart film noir the following year withIn a Lonely Place,Knock on Any Doorwas a powerful courtroom film noir that addressed juvenile delinquency. With Bogart as an attorney representing a young hoodlum accused of murder,Knock on Any Doorwas a thinly veiled piece of social messagingand critique. WhileKnock on Any Doorwas criticized for its moralistic rhetoric, its biggest issue was that, as far as film noirs go, it was pretty average.
The Enforcer
The Enforcer, released in 1951, stars Humphrey Bogart as Assistant District Attorney Martin Ferguson. He works meticulously to prosecute a notorious gangster, confronting challenges as he prepares a case with the help of the gangster’s top lieutenant who is set to testify.
The Enforcerstarred Humphrey Bogart as a crusading district attorney who finally got a chance to take down crime boss Albert Mendoza if only he could get the right evidence. Told primarily through flashbacks,The Enforcerwas based on the real investigation of a group of killers dubbed “Murder Inc” by the press(viaCrime Reads) and helped popularize terms like ‘contract’ and ‘hit’ concerning organized crime. With plenty of suspense and superb black-and-white cinematography,The Enforcerdelivered everything an audience member could want from a film noirBogart gangster movie.
The Desperate Hours
The Desperate Hours, directed by William Wyler, follows the harrowing ordeal of a suburban family taken hostage by escaped convicts. The family’s must navigate a tense standoff against the criminals, led by Humphrey Bogart, in a suspenseful home invasion scenario. Released in 1955, the movie explores themes of fear and resilience.
As one of Humphrey Bogart’s final roles, seeing him back with a film noir inThe Desperate Hourswas fantastic. Bogart himself said he viewed his character as a grown-up version of Duke Mantee, a role he played almost 20 years before inThe Petrified Forest(viaClassic Film Noir), which connected this film to his entire overarching career. With a story about three escaped convicts terrorizing a suburban home,The Desperate Hourshad plenty in common with previous Bogart pictures likeHigh Sierra,Key Largo, andWe’re No Angelsand added to his rich noir-filled filmography.
Dead Reckoning
Dead Reckoning is a 1946 film noir directed by John Cromwell, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lizabeth Scott. The film follows a veteran who becomes embroiled in a complex web of murder, deception, and double-crossing after seeking to clear his friend’s name.
Dead Reckoningpaired Humphrey Bogart with the rising star Lizabeth Scott, who was playing a classic noir femme fatale who attempted to foil Bogart’s investigation and plan to avenge a friend’s death. Like so many other films in this genre,Dead Reckoning’splot was loose and often confusing, but it kept the suspense going throughout as a mystery of adultery, deceit, and murder was unveiled. WhileDead Reckoningwon’t win any points for originality, it was still a highly engrossing film noir that featured the dynamic duo of Bogart and Scott.
