Humphrey Bogart, Hot Cabbies, + Un-apologetics
Humphrey Bogart is an all-time favorite actor of mine.
He wasn’t a ton to look at in a still shot;
But moving pictures gave stage to his charming spell of cheeky confidence and unflappable swagger.
He was calculating and cunning.
And then he was also a passionate every-man.
He commanded attention with sarcastic wit, a man’s man’s kind of ”know how”, and a true handle on how to tame the fairer sex.
He was who he was unapologetically.
Only 5′ 8″ tall, he had the assured yet understated bravado of 6 ft. 3 inches.
Or at least that’s the man I make out based on the movies.
Which could be nothing like his real life persona.
Nevertheless, cheers to his unapologetic, devil-may-care, cool ease.
Above are some posters I concocted for fun (#notforsale, #Idon’townrightstothosepics, #pleasedon’tsueme) after watching The Big Sleep last night. I’ve started to read the book and it is just as clever in dialog as the film.
What a classic Bogart/Hawkes film.
A lot of people hated the movie because of a lot of loose ends in the storyline.
A plot that I still can’t figure the sum of, is made delightful nonetheless by Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) and his cheeky banter throughout the movie.
Here’s a sample:
——————
Carmen Sternwood: You’re not very tall are you?
Philip Marlowe: Well, I, uh, I try to be.
——————
Norris: Are you attempting to tell me my duties, sir?
Philip Marlowe: No, just having fun trying to guess what they are.
——————
Eddie Mars: Convenient, the door being open when you didn’t have a key, eh?
Philip Marlowe: Yeah, wasn’t it? By the way, how’d you happen to have one?
Eddie Mars: Is that any of your business?
Philip Marlowe: I could make it my business.
Eddie Mars: I could make your business mine.
Philip Marlowe: Oh, you wouldn’t like it. The pay’s too small.
——————
[Female she-cabbie and Bogart in The Big Sleep. They don't make cab drivers like they use to! Check out the hot red lips!]
Female Taxi Driver: If you can use me again sometime, call this number.
Philip Marlowe: Day and night?
Female Taxi Driver: Uh, night’s better. I work during the day.
——————
Vivian Sternwood Rutledge: Speaking of horses, I like to play them myself. But I like to see them workout a little first, see if they’re front runners or come from behind, find out what their whole card is, what makes them run.
Philip Marlowe: Find out mine?
Vivian Sternwood Rutledge: I think so.
Philip Marlowe: Go ahead.
Vivian Sternwood Rutledge: I’d say you don’t like to be rated. You like to get out in front, open up a little lead, take a little breather in the backstretch, and then come home free.
Philip Marlowe: You don’t like to be rated yourself.
Vivian Sternwood Rutledge: I haven’t met anyoneyet that can do it. Any suggestions?
Philip Marlowe: Well, I can’t tell till I’ve seen you over a distance of ground. You’ve got a touch of class, but I don’t know how, how far you can go.
Vivian Sternwood Rutledge: A lot depends on who’s in the saddle.
