life remembering lauren bacall, 1924â€“2014

RememberingLAURENBACALL

1924–2014

PhotographfromPhoto12/Polaris.

ContentsCoverTitleIntroduction:BacktotheGoldenAgeTheChosenOneTheLook:ALifeinPicturesCopyright

PhotographfromPhoto12/Polaris.

BacktoTheGoldenAge

WHENLAURENBACALLDIEDINAUGUSTjustshyofher90thbirthday,therewassympathyforherfamily,ofcourse,andalsolamentationthatwe,thefilmaudience,had,whatwiththeearlierlossesthisyearofMickeyRooneyandShirleyTemple,seenthelastoftheGoldenAgegreats.That’snottrue.OliviadeHavillandisstillwithus,livingtodayinParisat98yearsold.KirkDouglas,whomBacalldatedwhenshewasa17-year-oldinactingschoolinNewYorkCity,isaliveatage97.DorisDayis90andDameAngelaLansbury88.RelativewhippersnapperssuchasSeanConneryandcertainlySophiaLorentouchedtheGoldenAge.ButDouglasseemedtospeakformanyofuswhenhesaid,“WiththelossofLauren

Bacall,whomweallcalledBetty,ameaningfulpartofmyhistoryhasbeenextinguished.”Shewasglamorousfromtheget-go—atleastfromtheget-goofherpublicpersona.

Aswewilllearnfromthenarrativebeginningonthepagesimmediatelyfollowing,asachildshewasjust,inherwords,“aniceJewishgirl”fromNewYorkCity,BettyPerske,growingtalleranddreamingtheusuallittlegirldreams.Yes,she,liketheolderDouglas,tookactingclasses,butnothingwasassured.Successandfamecameinatremendousrush,andovernightLaurenBacallwasanexemplaroftheGoldenAge.

rush,andovernightLaurenBacallwasanexemplaroftheGoldenAge.LIFE’sbattingaverageonthesethingsisn’tnecessarilyRuthianorevenJeteresque.

WhenstaffphotographerEdClarksentusprettypicturesofayoungingenuetakenbyhiminanL.A.park,acurvywomantakingthestagenameMarilynMonroe,wedidn’trunthem.WhenTerenceSpencercalledfromLondontoputusontothisphenomenonsweepingBritainin1963,Beatlemania,wedemurred.ButalmostassoonasdirectorHowardHawks(andparticularlyMrs.Hawks,asyou

willread)foundBettyBacallforhisnewfilmToHaveandHaveNot,wefoundhertoo—andinfact,asyousee,thatwasourcovercopy:a“newmoviefind.”WithourOctober16,1944,coverstorytheAmericanpublicgotaweekofffromthewarandanearlylookattheLook.“MidwaythroughthefirstreelofToHaveandHaveNot,anewmovie,thesulky-

lookinggirl...saunterswithcatlikegraceintocamerarangeandinaninsolent,sultryvoicesays,‘Anybodygotamatch?’”ranthefirstparagraphoftheLIFEpiece.“Thatmomentmarkstheimpressivescreendebutof20-year-oldLauren(Betty)Bacall.”(ItwasHawkswhochangedBettytoLauren.)Itcertainlywasanimpressivedebut,andoneshewouldstruggletotop.Butshedid

haveseveralotherfilmsuccesses,andintheGoldenAgemode,sheledanoff-screenlifeasfascinatingasanythingshewasputtingonthebigscreen.Mostfamously,shemarriedherToHaveandHaveNotcostar,themucholderHumphreyBogart,andthetwoofthemwerecongenialhoststoaplatoonofHollywoodwildfolkthatbecametheoriginalRatPack.AfterBogart’sdeaththerewastheaffairwithFrankSinatra,themarriagetoJasonRobards,theBroadwaytriumphs...theelegantsegueintothelifeofaGoldenAgeGrandeDame.LIFEstayedwiththestory:Bacallinafashionspread,Bacall’snewmovieincolor,theWidowBogartandhersonatthefuneral,Bacallinherseniority.Manyofthepicturesweranindaysgonebyareintheportraitsadorningourbiographicalsketch,andtheninALifeinPicturestofollow.LaurenBacallwasquotedinLIFEin1945ashavingconfidedinoneofherbest

friendswhenshewasstillagirl,“IamgoingtoHollywood.”Shedidthat,andsheconquered,andshebecamearegalfigureinHollywood’sGoldenAge.Sheentertaineduswithherwork,captivateduswithherpersona.Shewillbemissed.Sheismissedalready.

TheChosenOne

KOBALCOLLECTIONATARTRESOURCE,NY

SHEWAS,almostasmuchasanyoneinmoviehistory,pluckedfromthepackofaspirants—thewifeofahigh-poweredfilmdirectorspottedherinamagazinephoto,andsuddenlyshewasastar.Thisphotographwasmadein1944whenshewasrightonthecusp.Shehadpaidfewdues—actingclasses,acoupleofunnoticeableturnsontheNewYorkstage,somemodelinggigs—andnowshewascostarringoppositethegreatBogartinahigh-profileHollywoodmovie.Thegoodnews:LaurenBacallwouldlistentothegraces,andhersensationalbeginningwouldleadtoalonglifetimeofsuccess,asanactressandmother,thattodayrendersheralegend.

WHENSHEDIED,LAURENBACALLWAS,eveninthemostdetailedobituaries,oftenbrokendownintoelements,andaccountsvaried.Theeyeswereemeraldgreenortheyweregreyortheyweregrey-greenortheyweresimplydarkandsmoldering.TheLookwasherown,causedbyherslowlyraisingherheadoncameraoutofanxiety,oritwascoachedbyherdirector.Inheroff-screenpersona,shewasimperiousorinsecure,demandingorkind.Allagreedshewasbrassy,andshewasloyal.Shehadasharpsenseofhumorandoftenasharptongue.AsfortheVoice,itsorigin,aswiththatoftheLook,wasdebated:Itwaseitheraninherenttraitoritwasfoisteduponher;itwasalwayssaidtobehusky.Bacallherselfadmittedaboutthislastonethatitwascoaxed.Apparently—andthis

shouldbeintheBelieveItorNotcategory—hertenorwashighwhenshearrivedinHollywoodinherlateteens,havingbeenpluckedbyfate(andwe’llgettoallthatveryshortly)fromthemodelingworldtostaroppositeafilmlegendinabig-budgetproduction,thenowfamous(ifveryloose)adaptationofErnestHemingway’sToHaveandHaveNot.Thedirectorwhohadcastherafteramiraculousscreentest,HowardHawks,hatedhervoice,andtoldhertolowerit—greatly—andaddsomeinsinuation,whichistosay:sex.“Iwas19andwasn’texactlyswimminginself-confidence,”BacallrememberedtoPeoplemagazinein1979,butshedidasshewastold.“Youcan’t

acquireavoice.Eitheryouhaveitoryoudon’t.ButHowardwantedmetobeinsolentwithmenonthescreen,andthatmeanttrainingmyvoicesoitwouldremainlow.IwouldparkonMulhollandDrive—soasnottodisturbtheneighbors—andreadTheRobealoudinalow,lowvoice.”WebringuptheVoiceandtheseotherthingsatthetopofournarrativetomakea

point:YoucameawayfromalotoftheposthumousappreciationsofLaurenBacallfeelingshehadbeenconstructed,muchinthewayMarilynMonroehadbeencreatedoutofNormaJeaneBaker.Inreality,thiswasnothinglikethat.Sure,therewereHollywoodtouchesandPRdepartmentenhancementsthroughthemanyyears,butattheendoftheday,LaurenBacall,despiteanamechange,wasjustaboutasconsistent,honestandcandidasuperstarascanbeimagined.Shewasasclosetotransparentasthesefolksget.It’snotthatshedidn’tcarewhatpeoplefelt—shecareddeeplyaboutherfriends,andwhatconstitutedtheirfriendships—but,althoughshewillinglyplayedrolesonthecamera,rolesthatoftenhadlittletodowithherself,shewas,likeherdearfriendKatharineHepburn,anactresswhodidnotactoncethefilmwaswrapped.Shewas,byallaccounts,atallandtrueHollywoodqueen.Thiswasinhernature.Shewasalsoalivewire,andalotoffun.Shewasthisfromthefirsttothelast.

BETTYJOANPERSKEWASBORNONSeptember16,1924,intheBronx,NewYorkCity,andwouldberaisedthereandinBrooklynandManhattan,almostexclusivelybyhermother.Herfather,WilliamPerske,amedicaldevicessalesman,wasalsoadrinker(thefirstofafewinBetty’slife)andhewasgonewhenthegirlwasyoung,separatedfromhermotherwhenshewassix.Hermom,theformerNatalieWeinstein-Bacal,aRomanianJewwhohadimmigratedthroughEllisIsland,wasanexecutivesecretaryandraisedheronlychildinmiddleclasscircumstances.WilliamPerskewasJewishaswell,andaninterestingfootnoteisthatBettyPerskewasrelated,howevernearordistantly,toIsrael’sninthpresident,ShimonPeres,throughherfather’slineage.Shewasextremelyclosetohermother;neversoughtoutherfather(hermother

wouldcomelivewithherinCaliforniaaftershebecameaHollywoodstar).Likemanyabeautybeforeherandmanysince,fromAdam’sEvetoGiseleBündchen,sheclaimedtohavebeena“gawky,”“lanky”girlwhodrewnoattention.Undertheauspicesofrichrelatives,shewasabletoattend,first,aprivateschooluptheHudsonRiverinTarrytown,theHighlandManorBoardingSchoolforGirls,andthentheJuliaRichmanHighSchoolinManhattan.InherNationalBookAward–winningautobiographyByMyself,shesaidthatasateenshespentlotsoftime“inflictingmyKatharineHepburnandBetteDavisimitationsonanyonewhowouldsitstillforthem.”Shehadn’tyet

decidedthatshewantedtobeanactress,buthadambitionsthatrangedfrommodelingto,Godisourwitness,journalism:“amomentarydreamofbecomingareporter.”Shewouldchewupmanyajournalistyearslater;atwhatpointsheforsooktheFifthEstatecannotbehistoricallypinpointed.Sheneverdidfileastoryprofessionally,thoughshewasateenmodel.Shewasfiredat

onepoint,andtookajobasanusheronBroadway,whereshenotonlywasabletoobservethelifeofactors,whichlookedexcitingindeed,butwasnamedtheprettiestusherintownbytheatercriticGeorgeJeanNathaninhisannualrankingsofsuchthings.(Herlegacyasastageactress,builtlargelyinthesecondhalfofhercareerwhenshegarneredtwoTonyAwards,isasstrongasherreputationasafilmstar.)ShetookactinglessonsinthisperiodattheAmericanAcademyofDramaticArts,whereanotherstudentwasKirkDouglas,whomshewouldbrieflydateandwhowouldremainalifelongfriend.In1942sheappearedinaBroadwayshowcalledJohnny2X4,whichclosedinundertwomonths.ThatsameyearshewasnamedMissGreenwichVillage,sothisawardatage17,ontopofthepretty-usherthing,tendstoputthelietoherprotestationsaboutbeinglanky,gawky,awkward,flat-chested.Thosestagesmusthavebeenearlier.Tosaythatthingsspedupatthispointintimeisthegrossestofunderstatements;

amongHollywoodteensupernovastories,BettyBacall’sremainslegend.Backinmodelingasshegreweverlovelier—“catlikegrace,tawnyblondhairandblue-greeneyes”(afifthchoiceontheeyecolor;youbethejudge)—shewasbroughttotheattentionofHarper’sBazaarfashioneditorDianaVreeland(legendarycharacterspermeatetheBacallstory)andlandedonthecoveroftheMarch1943issueofthemagazine.Itwasabeyond-chastepicture,asad-eyedBettyposingoutsideaRedCrossblooddonationscentertoaidinthewareffort.ButwhenithitthecoffeetableintheHowardHawkshousehold,Mrs.Hawks,theformerNancy“Slim”Gross,sawsomethingspecial.HowardwasplanningToHaveandHaveNotatthattime,withHumphreyBogartalreadysignedforthelead,andSlimurgedherhusbandtoscreen-testthisyoungwomanfromNewYork.Hawksaskedhissecretarytolocatethemodel,and,misunderstandingherinstructions,thesecretarysentthemodelatickettoHollywood.HawkswasblownawayattheauditionbyBacall’smagnetism,andshewassignedtoaseven-yearcontract—initialpay,$100perweek.“BettyBacall”justwouldn’tdo.(Bettyhadadoptedhalfhermother’smaidennameinNewYork,addinganl,fromtheEuropeanversion,andalsosofolkswouldn’trhyme“Bacal”with“crackle.”Hawksiscreditedwith“Lauren,”andthus:LaurenBacall,anamereadyforthemarquee,andagirlheadedthere.Lastnote:FriendswouldcallherBettythroughoutherlife.)

ToHaveandHaveNotwassomethingofacozyfamilyaffair.HawkswasclearlyoneofafewfatherfigureswhowouldfillinfortheoneBettyhadbarelyknown.Nancymotheredherinamodernway:dressingherinsleekfashions,helpingwiththemakeup,teachingherstyle.Bogart,thebigstarwhowouldcarrythefilm,wasclosetotheHawkses,andultimatelytookHoward’snickname,“Steve,”inthefilm,whiletheBacallcharacter,MarieBrowning,wascalled“Slim,”afterNancy.BogiesaidtoBacallprescientlyuponmeetingher,“Ijustsawyourtest.We’llhavealotoffuntogether.”Hawksknewhewantedtotoughenthissweetgirlfortheroleshewasabouttoplay—

toughenherbeyondloweringhervoice.“Doyousuppose,”heaskedhisscreenwriterJulesFurthman,“wecouldmakeagirlwhoisinsolent,asinsolentasBogart,whoinsultspeople,whogrinswhenshedoesit,andpeoplelikeit?”FurthmanandHawksgaveitawhirl,and,saidHawks,“IwouldtryoutthescenesonBacall.”Healsohadaccesstomoviestarsthroughoutthefirmament,andtoldhisingenuetogiveoneofthemengrief,sosheinsultedClarkGable.Later,MarleneDietrich,havingobservedtheresultofallthistraining,gaveHawksadifferentkindofgriefforhavinggiftedhertrademarktraitstothisnewkid.ToHaveandHaveNot—whichobviouslyowesadebttoCasablanca,rightdownto

HoagyCarmichaelintheclubpiano-playerroleincarnatedintheearlierfilmbyDooleyWilson,butisanentertainingmovieinitsownright—playedamarvelousgameofcat-and-mousewiththeHaysCode,andBacallwasallin.TheHaysCodewasinforcein1944toprotecttheAmericanfilmaudiencefrommoraldegradation.Andtherefore,thereisinfactnosexinToHaveandHaveNot.Lookedatanotherway,thereislotsofsexinToHaveandHaveNot,wellbeforeBacallinstructsBogartontheartofwhistling(“putyourlipstogetherand...blow”).WhenBogartsizesupBacallinthefilm’sfirstscenes,thereisredolenteroticism.Shecatchesthepackofmatcheshehastossedher,theflameislit,shedismissestheburnt-outmatch,tossesthepackbacktoBogie,exits.NooneobservesthedancemoreintentlythanBacallandBogartthemselves.It’sanexpressive“whoa!”AndthenBacallsauntersovertothebandtosing“AmIBlue?”whileleaningonCarmichael’spiano.“AsTimeGoesBy”wasmoving,butthis...Whatadebut!Speakingofpianos.Themoviecompany,WarnerBros.,didwhatmoviecompanies

do;itdispatcheditsstarstopromote.InFebruary1945,BacallhaddrawnanassignmentattheNationalPressClubinWashingtontogreetU.S.troopsdroppingbyforSaturday’sfreehotdogsandbeer.Shewasfinewiththis;anythingtosupportAmerica’s—andFDR’s—fight,shewashappytohelp.“Mygod,Ijustworshippedhim,”thelifelongDemocratlatersaidofRoosevelt.AnotherwhodroppedbythePressClubthatafternoonwasVicePresidentHarrySTruman.“Hehadsomefreetimeon

hishandsandheenjoyedgoingtoeventslikethat,”RandySowell,anarchivistattheTrumanLibrary&Museum,toldU.S.News&WorldReportrecently.Trumanstartedplayinganuprightpiano,andsoonenoughBacallhadhoppedatopit.HistorianDavidMcCulloughwroteinhisbiographyTruman:“WhatdisturbedmanypeoplewasthatTrumanappearedtobehavingsuchagoodtime,whichhewas.Bess[Truman’swife]wasfurious.Shetoldhimheshouldplaythepianoinpublicnomore.”LaurenBacall,havingbeenintroducedtotheworldofadultmen,wasdangerous

goods.UnquestionablyactressMayoMethotfeltthatway.Shewas,whenthefilmingofToHaveandHaveNotbegan,Bogart’sthirdwife.Bythetimethefilmwrapped,hermarriagewasendangered,forBogie,25yearsBacall’ssenior,hadfalleninlovewithhiscostar,andviceversa.InaratherterrificinterviewwithVanityFairin2011,Bacall,atage86,wascharacteristicallyfunnyandsharp-tongued.ApparentlyBogartvisitedBacall’straileronthesetthreeweeksintofilming,gaveherakissandaskedforhernumber.FramersoftheHaysCodewouldnothaveapprovedoftheprogressoftherelationship,whichBogieandBacalltriedtokeepfromthehot-temperedMethot’sview.ButasToHaveandHaveNotconfirmed,somesignalscouldnotbehiddenormisinterpreted.BogartandMethotdivorced,andinMay1945the45-year-oldstarwedthe20-year-oldstarletintheBigHouseatMalabarFarminOhio,whichtodaydoesabriskbusinessinweddings.FewinHollywoodwerewageringonsuccessforthenewBogarts,butBacalltoldVanityFair,“IfairlyoftenhavethoughthowluckyIwas.IkneweverybodybecauseIwasmarriedtoBogie,andthat25-yeardifferencewasthemostfantasticthingformetohaveinmylife...Iwashappybeinghiswife.Ilovedit.BecauseIreallylovedhim.”BacallandBogartwouldmakethreemoregoodmoviestogether,andinthemany

photographsthatfollowthisnarrativewewilldealwiththem.Theywouldhavetwochildren,StephenandLeslie,andaheckofalotoffunwiththeirfellowadultsinthe12yearsoftheirmarriage,whichwouldendonlywithBogie’sdeathfromcancerin1957—andwewilldealwithsomeofthatnow.Beforethefun,someveryseriousbusiness.Inthelate1940s,withthecoldwar

brewing,theHouseUn-AmericanActivitiesCommitteemadeitssnoopingintocommunistinfluenceinHollywoodacausecélèbre.Inresponse,HollywoodtalentformedtheCommitteefortheFirstAmendment.Inapetition,theCaliforniacommitteeaccusedtheCongressionalcommitteeoftryingto“smearthemotionpictureindustry”andstressedthat“anyinvestigationintothepoliticalbeliefsoftheindividualiscontrarytothebasicprinciplesofourdemocracy.”Bigstars—includingBogart,Bacall,Hepburn,Sinatra,Fondaandothers—flewtoWashingtontomeetwiththepressandattendhearings.Iftheymadesomenewsatthetime,thingswereonlygoingtogetworsewiththewitchhuntwhenSenatorJoeMcCarthyenteredthefrayin

goingtogetworsewiththewitchhuntwhenSenatorJoeMcCarthyenteredthefrayinearnestin1950.AfterthebirthsofStephenin1949andLesliein1952,theBogartsmovedintoanew,

largerhouse,andinthatmansetheyjoined—actuallyfounded—asecondorganizationaftertheCommitteefortheFirstAmendment.Apolitical,thisonewasasocialclub.“Inordertoqualify”formembership,BacallwroteinByMyself,“onehadtoagreetononconformity,stayinguplate,drinking,laughingandnotcaringwhatanyonethoughtorsaidaboutus.”WritesJamesKaplanintheLIFEbookTheRatPack:“ThebirthplacewasinHolmbyHills,anexclusiveenclaveofWestLosAngelesjustoffSunsetBoulevard,inthebigwhitehouseonSouthMapletonDrivethatbelongedtothe56-year-oldHumphreyBogartandhisyoungwife,LaurenBacall.“Bogartwasarenownedconsumerofalcohol(‘Thewholeworldisthreedrinks

behind,’heusedtosay)andanotoriousrebelwhenitcametoallthingsHollywood.Unlikemostmoviestars,hedidn’tliketogooutmuch,couldn’tstandalltheseeing-and-being-seenmalarkeyofTinseltown,andsotheworldcametohim—oratleastthatpartoftheworldheconsideredamusing:suchglitteringHollywoodluminariesasJudyGarlandandherhusband,SidLuft;theDavidNivens;SpencerTracy;IraGershwin;RodeoDriverestaurateurMikeRomanoffandhiswife,Gloria;Bogart’sagent,Irving‘Swifty’Lazar;andFrankSinatra.”Thehomebecameahangout,andKaplanwrites:“Onelatenight(thestorygoes),

whenBogart,SinatraandsomeoftheotherusualsuspectswerelollingaroundthelivingroomintheSouthMapletonhouse,somewhattheworseforwear,Bacall,muchyoungerthantherestandsharp-tongued,walkedinandsaid,‘MyGod—youalllooklikearatpack.’“Bogartlikedthat.Inhisusualspiritofirony,heproposedthatthosepresentforma

semiofficialclubunderthatname.”BacallpicksupthestoryinByMyself:“WeheldadinnerinaprivateroomatRomanoff’stoelectofficialsanddrawuprules—Bogie’swayofthumbinghisnoseatHollywood.IwasvotedDenMother,Bogiewasinchargeofpublicrelations.Noonecouldjoinwithoutunanimousapprovalofthechartermembers...Whatfunwehadwithitall!Wewereanoddassortment,butwelikedeachothersomuch,andeveryoneofushadawildsenseoftheridiculous.Thepresshadafieldday,butwehadtheupperhand.”ItfeltthatwaytothemembersoftheoriginalRatPackuntilthedeathoftheirfearless

leader,HumphreyBogart,in1957ofesophagealcanceratage58.Thegatheringwasinstantlyshattered,Bacalldevastated.“Ididn’tknowwhatthehellIwasdoing,”shelatertoldPeopleoftheaftermathofherhusband’stoo-youngdemise.“IfIhadn’thadthosetwolittlechildren,Idon’tknowwhatIwould’vedone.”“Wedidn’thaveaperfectmarriage,”BacalltoldRedbookin1988.“Weargued.He

drank.Butwehadarelationship—wehadlove.”Tryingtoreboundfromtheblow,therewaswork(promotingDesigningWoman,

1957;makingTheGiftofLove,1958)andanotherrelationship,whichmayormaynothaveinvolvedlove.SinatrahadheldBogieonapedestal—hewasentirelytakenwithBogart’sscrew-themattitudetowardHollywoodandlifeitself—andthereforeofcoursehewasattractedtoBacall,andperhapsbythenotionofsteppingintohishero’sshoes.HeandBacallbegandating,andsuddenlytherewasarumorinthetabloidsthatthetwowereengaged.“Butthen,”asKaplanwritesintheLIFEbookonSinatra’sRatPack,“inevitably,theromanceblewup.Sinatra,theswingingestbachelorofthelate’50s(evenasheandtheWidowBogarthadconsideredmatrimony,hewasseeingclosetoadozenotherwomen),simplywasn’tbuiltforthe‘instituteyoucan’tdisparage,’ashis1955hitsong‘LoveandMarriage’somewhatironicallyputit.”BacallwrotehonestlyinByMyself:“Hefelttrapped.”Hedid,andheblamedBacallforleakingtheengagementstoryandinsisted:Let’scallthewholethingoff.“Toberejectedishell,”shewrote.“Hebehavedlikeacompletes—.”Not,itmightbeadded,forthefirstorlasttime.ShelatertoldPeoplein1979:“Frankdidmeagreatfavor.Hesavedmefromthe

completedisasterourmarriagewouldhavebeen.”Thenshereiterated:“Butthetruthishebehavedlikeacompletes—.”TheWidowBogartmovedbacktoNewYorkCityinanattempttoescapetheWidow

Bogartstorylineandpersona.In1961,asshetoldVanityFair,“IcalledmybusinessmanagerinCaliforniaandsaid‘Sellallofmystock’—whatlittleIhadofit—andit’stheonlysmartfinancialmoveIevermade.”ThatsmartmovewasbuyinganextraordinarymultiroomapartmentonahighfloorofthestoriedDakotabuildingonCentralParkWest,withtremendousabove-the-tree-linevistasofthepark,for$48,000.Howmanymillionsitisworthtodayisspeculative,buttheimportantpointis:ItiswhereBacallwouldspendmorethanhalfacentury—therestofherlife.ShehadcontinuedtodateaftertheSinatrafiasco,andthatyear—1961—found

herselfpregnantwhileshewascarryingonanaffairwithactorJasonRobards.Herewasanothermanwhowasmarriedandwhodrank,andsheworriedaboutthat,but,shelatertoldPeople,“Iwastryingtohavealife—whatcanItellyou.”SheandRobardswed,andSamRobards,whohimselfwouldgoontoanactingcareer,wasbornonDecember16.BacalltoldTimemagazinein2005:“Wheneverythinghappenstoyouwhenyou’resoyoung,you’reverylucky,butbythesametoken,you’renevergoingtohavethatsamefeelingagain.Thefirsttimeanythinghappenstoyou—yourfirstlove,yourfirstsuccess—thesecondoneisneverthesame.”ThequestionhadbeenwhetherthegreatearlyromancewithBogartsetherupforinevitablesubsequent

disappointment,andindeedhereightyearswithRobardsweretempestuous.Shesaidshefinallycalleditoffin1969becauseofhiscontinuedboozing;itdidn’thelpthatshefoundamissivefromhisparamour.“WhenIinvitedfriendsovertocelebratehis40thbirthday,Jasonshowedupattwoa.m.,loaded,”sherememberedtoPeople.“Igrabbedabottleofvodka,smasheditintothecakeandyelled‘Here’syourgoddamcake!’ThemarriageendedwhenIcameacrossaletterwrittentohimbyhisgirlfriend.”Laterinlife,Robardsfinallydidgethisarmsaroundhisalcoholism,andheandBacallresumedafriendship.“Weadoreeachother,”shetoldPeoplein1979.“Somethingclickedinhisheadandhedecidedtokickthebottle.Lookingback,IwasrighttofallinlovewithJasonbecausehe’saterrificman.It’shardtobelieve,butsometimesyouhavetogothroughallthatcraziness.”Thefollow-upquestionwas:“Whyhaveyoubeenattractedtomarriedmenlike

BogartandRobards?”Andtheanswer:“ThatIcan’texplain.Hell,it’stheonethingI’vealwaysconsciously

triedtoavoid.Thebigruleisthatyoumustnevergetmixedupwithamarriedman—neverevenlooksidewaysatanotherwoman’sfella.Boy,Ireallywasterrificatobeyingthatrule,wasn’tI?God!”Therewouldbenomorehusbands,andwhilesometimesBacalllamentedthe

lonelinessofthecavernousDakotaapartment,suchmomentswerefew;shewasn’tamoaner,andshewascomfortableinherownskin,evenas,intwomemoirs,shecontinuedtoparsepastjoys,triumphs,mistakesandsorrows.(Shewasemphaticaboutwritingherbooksherself.)Shebecameanaward-winningauthorinthesecondhalfofhercareer,andanaward-winningstageactress.Whynot?Themodernlamentisthattherearen’tmanygoodmovierolesofferedto

“mature”women.(ForBacall,therewereall-over-the-lotpartsinsuchfilmsasSexandtheSingleGirl[1964],Harper[1966],MurderontheOrientExpress[1974],TheShootist[1976;oppositeJohnWayne,whomsheadored],RobertAltman’sPrêt-à-Porter[1994]andtheedgyDogville[2003].)But,really:Whywaitforthephonetoring?Whybeatyourheadagainstawall?Thentoo,shewaslivinginNewYork.ThecommutetoworkonBroadwaywouldbeeasy,justacoupledozenblocksdowntown.Third:Soonerorlater,shehadtomakeamendsforJohnny2X4.Sothestagewasthething,anduponitshewasasensation.Well,notrightaway.ShewasfineinGoodbye,Charlie,whichopenedatthetailendof

1959.Buttheshowwasn’tfineatall,anditclosedinthreemonths.WhenshereturnedtotheGreatWhiteWayinCactusFlowerin1965,therunfortheshowwouldextendtothreeyears.ShewouldwintwoTonyAwardsasbestactressinamusicalforproductionsderivedfromclassicmoviesofherowngoldenera:Applause(1970;based

onAllAboutEve),andWomanoftheYear(1981).Herperformanceswereresonant.BetteDavis,whohadstarredinEve,hadbeenheridol.Herotheridol—andnowherclosefriend—hadbeenKatharineHepburn,starofthefilmversionofWomanoftheYear.DavisvisitedBacallbackstageafteraperformanceofApplause,andsaid,“Noonebutyoucouldhaveplayedthispart.”Youcouldhaveknockedthebold,veteranwomannamedBacalloverwithafeather.Assaid,Hepburnwasadearfriend,andtherewereothers.JamesGarner,whodied

justamonthbeforeBacall,wentwaybackwithBetty.Certainlyshecouldmarchforthwithregalairsandshecouldswearlikealongshoremanandshedidyellintothephoneonoccasion—allofthatistrue—butthosewhoknewherbestfeltthatshewasasgood,andasloyal,asitgets.InreadingwhatBacallwroteabout“Kate”—Hepburn—inherautobiography,itcan

beseenwhatsheadmiredinthisperson,andperhapsinallpeople:“Asawoman,shehadmadeapowerfulimpactonallwhodidn’tknowher.Shewasindependent.Shechoseherwayoflife—hurtingnooneandnevervyingforapproval...Shecoulddosomanythings.Howmanysurprising,greatmealsshecookedwhenIhadeveningswithherandSpence.Shepainted—shedrewacharacterportraitforBogieandme.Shedidaself-portraitinwatercolorsforme—deliveredthedayafterIwontheTonyformyperformanceinApplauseoverhersinCoco.AsIreadherpraiseofme,writtenmorethan30yearsago,Iamfilledwithnostalgiaandgreatloveforthisamazingwomanandamstunnedbyherflattery.Forbetterorworse,hereitisinherownwords:MyowndearfriendDESERVED—WARRANTEDAllthatpuresimplicity,unguardedmodestyandBoyishcouragepouredintoaframeofleoninesplendorYouROSE—youCONQUEREDAndnonecouldbemorepleasedthanI—Yoursmeared*friend,[*referringtotheedgeoftheprinting]AuntieKate”

Bacallcontinued:“TypicalKate—isitanywonderIadoredherandtoldherthat10minutesofherwouldbeworth24hoursofanyoneelse?”BacallstayedwithKate,makingregularvisitstoherConnecticuthome,until

Hepburndied,althoughthelatterepisodesweredifficultemotionallyforBacall,asofcourseHepburnsometimescouldnotreciprocate.BacallwouldreturntoNewYorkafterthesevisits,andtohersolitarylife.ShewouldbecalleduponregularlyforopinionsaboutthekidsthesedaysinHollywood,orforreminiscencesaboutthegoldendays.Sheobligedregularlyenough,alwayswithacaustic(butnotsnarky)edgetohercommentary.It’seasytothinkthatwasputoninordertobe“LaurenBacall.”It

tohercommentary.It’seasytothinkthatwasputoninordertobe“LaurenBacall.”ItisjustaseasytoassumethatthiswasbecauseshewasandlonghadbeenBettyBacal.Shehadalwaysloveddogs.SheandBogiehadhadthosebigboxers.Shehadsmaller

dogsnow.Sheneededawalkertogetaroundtheapartment,butongooddays,shewouldtaketheelevatorandwalkherdoginCentralPark,rightacrossthestreet.Peopleknewwhoshewasofcourse,buttheyweredogloversandsowasshe,andtheywouldtalkaboutdogs.ShehadtraveledamillionmilesfromthehospitalintheBronxwhereshewasborn,a

millionmorefromBrooklynwherehermotherraisedherasalittlegirl,athirdmillionfromtheWestSideapartmentwhereshewasanadolescent,and10millionbackfromHollywood.Infact,thedistancesareabout15miles,another15miles,halfamileand—okay—3,000miles.BettyBacallwasinNewYorkwhenshedied,andthatisasurprisetonobody.Onthepagesimmediatelyfollowing,wereturntothebeginning,andretellthis

extraordinaryjourneyinpictures.

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LIFESEEMSGAYinthisphotographonaswing,takencirca1930.Butallisnothappyathome,tosaytheleast.Afterherfatherdepartsthefamily,asLIFEreportsin1945,youngBettyrefusestoseehim“andisnotkindlydisposedtowardhim...[He]claimsgreatthoughrecentprideinherandwouldliketoarrangeareunionbutsofarhasnotsucceeded.”

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APRECOCIOUSTEEN,BettyBacal,sometimemodelandhopefulactress,was,accordingtoLIFE,“readyforhighschooltwoyearssoonerthantheaverageschoolgirl...At15shewasgraduated459thoutofaclassof884,andSpotlight,theschoolyearbook,printedthisbonnechancenexttoherpicture:‘Popularwaysthatwin,Mayyourdreamsofanactressoverflowthebrim.’”

MPTVIMAGESHERMOTTOCOULDHAVEBEEN“tohaveorhavenot.”ShefallsforBogieassoonashehasfallenforher—ah,butthereisaMrs.Bogartalready,plusa25-yearagedifference.Ofthisclinchintheirfirstmovietogether,LIFEreportsin1944:“ThepassionatekissingscenebetweenLaurenBacallandHumphreyBogartinToHaveandHaveNotcomesafterslowbuildupandwithtremendouseffect.”Well,yes.

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ADUALLIFEwouldbeBacall’shappylottherestofherdays:Shewillinglysacrificesagreateractingcareertocareforherfamily.(Forturningdownsomerolesbecauseshewantstodofewer,shewillbebranded“difficult.”)Herewesee,twirlingverynicepearls,LaurenBacall.BelowweseeBetty—sheneverdidlike“Lauren”—athomeinCaliforniain1954withBogieandtheirkids,StephenandLeslieBogart.

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EVERANEWYORKERandeveranicon,Bacallbecomesadecades-longfixtureinhernativecity:seeninthedogpark,seenatcharityfunctions,seenonbothsidesoftheBroadwayfootlights.HeresheisinherapartmentintheDakota,lookingoverCentralPark.Bytheway,sheisathomeonthenightin1980whenafellowresidentofthebuilding,JohnLennon,iskilledoutsidethegates.Shehearstheshot,andthinksitablowntireorabackfire.

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THEWORLD’SGREATESTshimmierhasalreadyclaimedhertitleinToHaveandHaveNotinthememorablescenewhenHoagyCarmichaelandhismatesplayherwayoutofthebar.Here,sheisahybridonceagainbetweenactressandmodel.WritingforLIFEin1945,FrancisSillWickwaregottheallureright:“Thankstoahighlydevelopedtechnique,Bacallgivesanovel,effectiveandsuperficiallydaringinterpretationofsex,forwhichthepublichasawell-knowntaste.Herperformanceisinsuchcontrasttotheusualwishy-washymovieheroinethataudiencesarefirstshocked,thendelighted.Mostlyshesuggestsanoldhigh-schoolchumwhohadgoneonthetownandseemstoenjoyit.Toughmostofthetime,coynever.”Wickware’sassessmentgoesonfromthere,butthatisthesalientpoint:Bacallasanactresswouldportraysomeonebothdangerousbutsympatheticandlikeable.Aniftytrick.

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BETTYPERSKEisseenhereasaninfant(above),asagirl(below)and(bottom)asaprettyadolescentcirca1934.ShewashappywithherJewishupbringingandfaith,butinHollywooditwouldprovetoheradvantagethat,astheycruellysaid,“shedoesn’tlookJewish.”ShewouldhidethefactofherreligionfromHowardHawkswhenshegotherfirstbigbreak.“SomuchwasmadeofmyconcealingitbecauseIdidn’t‘look’Jewish,”shesaid.“Therewasanti-SemitisminHollywoodandIwasterriblyfrightened...It’soneareaofmylifeIamnotproudof.”WhensheandHumphreyBogartfellinloveandconsequencesweregreat,sheofcoursetoldhimofherheritage.AswithmanythingswithBogie,hecarednotabit.

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INTHEEARLY1940s,Bettywasfindingherway,andalsofindingoutaboutherself.FromLIFEinMay1945:“Bettyhadafairlyhecticchildhood.Mr.PerskewasasalesmanofX-raymachinesandgeneralsurgicalandmedicalequipment...andthefamilycircumstancesintheBronxperiodweremodestatbest.Followingthedivorce,Mrs.Bacaltookajobassecretaryinafirmoffoodbrokers.Sinceshehadtobeoutallday,Bettywassenttoboardingschoolinthewinterandtocampinthesummer—aregimefinancedmostlybyrelatives...DuringfouryearsatJuliaRichmanHighSchoolforgirls,certainfundamentalsofBetty’scharacterbegantoemerge...Bettydidlittledramaticworkinhighschool,butnooneatJuliaRichmandoubtedthatshemeanttobecomeanactress.”Above:Herhighschoolyearbooklisting.

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Onherwayin1942.

PHOTOFESTInanoceanofsailors,listeningtoactorJohnCarradinecheerthemenduringthewarattheAmericanTheatreWing’sStageDoorCanteeninNewYorkCity.

HEARSTVIAAPTHECOVERTHATLAUNCHEDnotathousandshipsbutcertainlyagreatmoviecareerisseenabove.FromLIFE,May7,1945:“WhenMrs.HawksshowedthecovertoMr.Hawks,withthecommentthatthegirllookedinteresting,hedidnotinstantlyrushtothephoneandcallNewYork,ashasbeenreported,butaftersomethoughthedidsaythathewouldaskhisagent,CharlieFeldman,tofindoutwhetherBettyhadanythingmorethanagoodface.”Hedeterminedthatshedidhavemore(hairtests,belowimages;theycertainlychosetherightlook)andthenheruncle,actingasheragent,negotiatedadealwithFeldman“andafewdayslatersentBettyonherwaywithsomesoundavuncularadvice,includingWilsonMizner’sfamousadmonitiontobenicetopeopleshemetonthewayup,sinceshemightbemeetingthemagainonthewaydown.”LaurenBacallwouldhaveebbsandflows,butneverreallyatumbledown.


LIGHTINGUPthescreenin1944isayoungwomanwho,duringfilming,isstillateen.Inthepicturesaboveandbelow,sheiscommuningwithHoagyCarmichaelatthepianoandmoredeeplywithBogartoverasmoke.ThesearestillsfromToHaveandHaveNot.

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Above,sheloomslargerthanlifeinOklahomaCity.Onlyayearearliershewasjustanothernormal-sizedyoungwoman.Hermostfamouslineinthemovieremains“Justputyourlipstogetherand...blow,”butLIFEopinedwhenthefilmlaunched:“HerbestlinecomeswhensheseesBogartcarryingaprettygirlwhohasfainted.Hercomment:‘Whatareyoutryingtodo,guessherweight?’”Inanyevent:Shehadlotsofgoodmoments.

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EXQUISITELYBEAUTIFULinthemid1940safterToHaveandHaveNotlaunches,sheposes(above)andpreensfortheVicePresidentinWashington(below).Aswehaverecounted,HarrySTrumangotintroublewiththewifeforthisfrivolity,eventhoughitwasintendedtobolsterthetroops,andthereareotherfunpostscriptstothesefamousphotos.First,thereisaroomattheNationalPressClubnowcalledtheTrumanLounge,andthepianoissaidtostillbethere,butithasbeenrenovatedmanyatime,sincesomanywomenhavehoppedatopit,àlaBacall,andithasgivenwaymorethanonce(theythinkthekeyboardistheonlypiecethatdatestoHarry).Also:AsdedicatedDemocrats,bothBogartandBacallbackedTrumanduringthe1948election.Atonepoint,BogieandHarrymadeabetonthesexofBogartandBacall’santicipatedfirstchild.Whenitwasaboy,Bogart,theloser,sentTrumanacheckandanote:“WouldappreciateitifyouendorseitandcashitsoImayframeitformysonwhowillundoubtedlyrunforPresidentontheDemocraticticketin1999unlessyoustillholdoffice.”Trumanmailedback:“IamreturningthecheckwhichyousentmeendorsedtoMr.BogartJr.IhopeyouwillbuyhimaSavingsBondwithitandputitinhiseducationalfundwithmycompliments.ItisarareinstancewhenIfindamanwhoremembershiscommitmentsandmeetsthemonthedot.”

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HERMOTHERmeanteverythingtoBetty,fromfirsttolast.NatalieWeinstein-Bacal(above)workedmultiplejobstosupportthedesiresofheronlychild,thenfollowedhertoCaliforniawhenthebreakscameandBetty—“Lauren”—hadtostudyscriptsallday.FromLIFE,October16,1944:“InBeverlyHills,MissBacallsharesanapartmentwithhermother.Herfavoriteexpressionis‘mad.’Shedoes‘mad’scenes,smokeslike‘mad’andwillgo‘mad’ifthecigaretshortagedoesn’tsoonletup.”Thefollowingyear,themagazinefollowedup:“Muchhasbeenmadeofthefactthat

BettyhasremainedunspoiledbysuccessandhassofaravoidedthepainfuleccentricitiescommontoHollywood.Herscaleofliving,forinstance,isnotmuchmoreelaboratethanitusedtobeinNewYork.WithMrs.BacalandtheinevitableDroopy[thedog],BettysharesasmallfurnishedapartmentinanunglamoroussectionofBeverlyHills,afewblocksfromtheBeverly-WilshireHotel.TherearenoservantsinthisestablishmentandwhensheisworkingBettygenerallygetsherownbreakfasts,sincesherisesabout6o’clockinordertobereadyforthecameraby9.Mrs.BacalcooksdinnerintheeveningsandBettyhelpswiththedishes.”Intheotherphotosbelowandonthefollowingpages,shecooperateswithLIFEphotographerNinaLeen.“Shegivesyoubackwhatyousend,”BogarttellsLIFEin1945.“It’slikeafastgameoftennis.Ifyouputoveragoodballandsomebodymuffsit,youcan’thaveagoodgame.

tennis.Ifyouputoveragoodballandsomebodymuffsit,youcan’thaveagoodgame.Butifsomebodydrivesitbackhard,youdrivebackhard,andprettysoonyouhaveagoodgame.Ithastoworkbothways.Bettysendsitrightbacktoyou.”

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MAY21,1945,wasobviouslyaveryspecialdayforBogartandBacall—themostspecial.There’saninterestingstorybehindthestoryoftheirwedding,anditinvolvesamannamedLouisBromfield.Hewasamid-centurybest-sellingnovelist—winnerofthePulitzerPrize—whosesalesrivaledHemingway’s,andasuccessfulscreenwriterwhowasknowntoeveryHollywoodproducer.Outstrippinghispassionforwritingwashisloveoftheland,andfarming.Hisproperty,MalabarFarm—nearly600acres,whichheboughtin1939—istodayastateparkinRichlandCounty,Ohio.Thereheexperimentedwithadvancedagriculturalmethodsandbecamefamousasafarmer(somehistorianscredithimwithhelpingtheMidwestavoidaseconddustbowl).HeknewBogartverywell,andhostedtheweddinginhisGreekRevival–styleBigHouse;thehoneymoonwasatBromfield’s32-roomretreataswell.Inherfirstmemoir,BacallrememberedherwhirlwindcourtshipbyBogartas“theheadiestromanceimaginable.”Shesaidhewasshyandvulnerable,andtalkedtoheroftenabouthisthreefailedmarriages;hewasanxious.Buttheytooktheleap,andduringthesmallweddingatMalabarFarm,sherecalled,“tearsstreameddownhisface.”Thewordsweresinkingin,andBogart,accordingtohiswidow,had“realizedwhattheymeant—whattheyshouldmean.”LouisBromfieldislittlerememberedtodaybeyondtheMidwest,butwhena

filmdocumentary,TheManWhoHadEverything,wasmadeabouthisinterestinglife,LaurenBacallraisedherhandasnarrator.

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BOGIEANDBACALLhadboxers,asmanyasthreeofthematatime.Bacallwasadogloverherentirelife,andthisisworthmentioning,asithaditsbasisinheryouth.“Iwasalwaysadogyearner,”shetoldherfellowactressGlennCloseinaninterview.“Ididn’thaveadoggrowingupinthecitywithaworkingmother.Asanonlychild,Iyearnedforsomeonetotalkto.”AtthemanseinHolmbyHills,thebigdogshadtherunoftheplace.Later,backinNewYorkCity,therewouldbesmallerdogs,whichBacallwouldwalkacrossCentralParkWesttothedogruninthepark.WhenshediedinAugust,sheleft,ofanestateestimatedat$26.6million,$10,000forthecontinuedcareofherpapillon,Sophie.HersonSamRobardswillkeepSophieinthemannertowhichshehasbecomeaccustomed.

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BOGARTWOOEDANDWEDher,andintheinitialyearsoftheirmarriage,beforetherewerechildren,heoftencostarredwithherandvisitedonset(above,in1945).BelowareBacall,Bogart,actorJohnRidgelyanddirectorHowardHawksonthesetofTheBigSleepin1946.

EVERETTThefourgoodmoviesBogieandBacallmadetogether,allinthe1940s,wouldincludethis,withBogartasPhilipMarlowe—oneoftheverybestnoirfilmsevermade—ToHaveandHaveNot,DarkPassageandKeyLargo,theirfinalpairing,directedbyJohnHuston.Bottom:BogartandBacallonhisyachtSantanain1946.Bogiehadlearnedtosailasachild,andinhisadulthoodwouldboardtheSantanaasmanyas45weekendsinagivenyear.“WhilemostpeopleknowthatBogieandBacallhadagreatloveaffair,probablyfewerknowaboutmyfather’sothergreatloveaffair,”wroteStephenBogartinBogart:InSearchofMyFather.“Itwassailing.Specifically,itwaswiththeSantana...Hewasveryseriousabouttheboatandhewasanexcellenthelmsmanwhoearnedtherespectofthesailingfraternity,despitesomewell-entrenchedprejudicestheyhadaboutactorswithboats.Theseawasmyfather’ssanity.”Bacallwasatreasuredcompatriotindeed,asBogartusuallysailedstag:“Thetroublewithhavingdamesonboardisyoucan’tpeeovertheside.”WroteBacallinherfirstmemoir:“Hecouldn’twaitformetomeetallhissailingfriendsandbeapartofthelifethatmeantsomuchtohim.Iwantedtoloveit...tolearn—cooking,forinstance,aboutwhichIknewnothing.Theboatpeople,orIshouldsaytheYachtClubpeople,weremostlyniceandfriendly—allfirm,long-standingRepublicans—whatBogiecalled‘privatepeople.’Allwealthy,andalmostallofthemthoughtactorswerefreaks.Iwasacuriosityandlooked

uponwithsomedisfavorbythewives.Thehusbandswerealwayshappytoseeanewyounggirl—that’swhyIwaslookeduponwithsomedisfavorbythewives.”

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BACALLWASPOLITICALfromheryouthuntilthedayshedied.HerleaningswereliberalandDemocratic.In1947sheandBogartwereofalikemind,andwereeagertobeactive.Above:SheandBogiejoinwithDannyKaye(center,withthepocketsquare)andothersfromtheHollywoodcommunityastheydescenduponWashington,uninvited,toattendhearingsoftheHouseUnAmericanActivitiesCommittee.Thecamerascomeout,obviously,foranimpromptupressconference.Below,Bogart,BacallandfellowactorRichardContestudymaterialduringahearing.Bottom,lefttoright,Kaye,JuneHavoc,BogartandBacall(seated)listentotestimonyabouttheinfiltrationofcommunistsinthefilmindustry.Laterin’47,bothBogartandBacallwithdrawtheirsupportfromHollywood’sCommitteefortheFirstAmendment,andBogart,whoafterwarddeclares“Iamnocommunist,”saysneverthelessthatthesalvoinWashingtonhadbeen“foolish.”BogieandBacallwerepolitical,yes,butinthisinstancetheirlegacyremainsambivalent.

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MPTVIMAGESHOMELIFEVERSUSCAREERwasnowandwouldlongbeaconsiderationforLaurenBacall.Above,sheandBogielightupathomein1948.Below,bicyclingaroundthesetduringthefilmingofthatyear’sKeyLargo.

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Bottom:thetwoofthemwiththefilm’sdirector,JohnHuston.AskedbyVanityFairin2011ifheractingcareerhadbeenhurtbybeingBogie’swife,Bacallanswered,“Oh,yes,becausehewantedawife.Hedidn’twantanactress.He’dbeenmarriedtothreeactresses...andfromthebeginninghesaidtome,‘Iloveyou,andifyouwantacareer,I’lldoeverythingIcantohelpyou,butIwon’tmarryyou.’Hewantedawifethatwouldgowithhimandbethere,andhewasdeadright.Andthat’swhatIwanted,andthat’swhyIwantedchildren.Hehadneverhadachild.SoIwasMissPushyinthatway.ButIwashappybeinghiswife.Ilovedit.BecauseIreallylovedhim.”

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ANDBABYMAKESTHREEwhenStephenBogartarrivesonJanuary6,1949.“Shewasanoldsoul,”StephentoldtheMiamiHeraldin2012abouthismother.“TheyhadjustdoneToHaveandHaveNot.[Theirromance]evolvedthatwaybecauseofwhathappenedonthescreen...Yousawhimfallinloveonthescreen.ItwasBogieandBacall.”Hesaidhismother,only32,stoodbyBogartashewasdying,andaddedcryptically,inanallusiontoBogart’sdissipationthatwewillparseonthepagesfollowing:“Shedidtakecareofhim.Itwastoobaditendedthewayitdid.Italmostruinedher.”

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“BRIGHTLEAF”isalargelyforgotten1950dramathatwasdirectedbyCasablanca’sMichaelCurtizandstarred,atabove,GaryCooperandBacall.MoresuccessfulthatyearwasYoungManwithaHorn,starringBacallandanoldfriendfromactingclass,KirkDouglas(below).Bottom:BacallsmokingacigaretteonthesetofYoungManwithaHorn.

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Fromleft:Bacall,directorJohnHuston,BogartandKatharineHepburnin1950intheBelgianCongo,wherethreeofthem,Bacallexcepted,arefilmingTheAfricanQueen,whichwillbereleasedin1951.Thisshootissofraught,notleastbecauseofHustonandBogart’sdrinking,thatHepburnwilllaterbeabletowriteanentirebookaboutthefilmingofit.Inhermemoir,HepburnassertsthatshegotinHuston’sfaceonaregularbasis,gotalongwithBogiewhenhewassober,andrefusedtohelpBacall,whowasonabusman’sholiday,withthefood.Andofcoursetherewerebugs.

EVERETTOUTOFAFRICAcomethesethreeadditionalphotographsfromtheshootofTheAfricanQueen:Bacall(above);HepburnandBacall(below);andBogieandBacall(bottom).ThisproductionisaslegendaryasanyinthehistoryofHollywood,notleastbecauseofthepersonalitiesinvolvedandthewholeideaofAfrica.Distinguishingbetweenlegendandfactalltheseyearslaterisdifficultbutnonethelessfun.Itissaidthatnearlyeveryoneinthecastandcrewgotsickatsomepoint,saveBogartandHuston,whoclaimedtohaveavoidedinfirmitybytakingdailymeasuresofhardstuff.“AllIatewasbakedbeans,cannedasparagusandScotchwhisky,”saidBogart.“WheneveraflybitHustonorme,itdroppeddead.”That’sagoodandfunnyline,butBogie’sdrinkingwas,aswehavesaid,aproblem,andwewillfinishthatdiscussiononthefollowingpages.

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HOMELIFE,NIGHTLIFE:ThatwastheseesawforBogartandBacall,anditisinterestingthatthesetwomegastarspreferredhearthandhometoHollywoodclubbing.Above,LaurenisclearlypregnantwithLesliein1952asStephenlooksonandHumphreytendstodomesticchores—orpretendstoforthecamera.Below,theothersideoflife,includingRomanoff’s,wheretheRatPackincorporated,and,onthefollowingpage,thePackgatheringattheCopaRoominHollywoodinOctober1956.

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Clockwisefromnearleft:Bogart,producerSidLuft,Bacall,JudyGarland(Luft’swife),EllieGraham,agentandlaterVegasentrepreneurJackEntratter,restaurateurMikeRomanoff(partlyhidden),Sinatra,Mrs.Romanoff,DavidNivenandhiswife.Sureitwasfun,butsomenightsitwasnot.Bacall’sfatherhadbeenadrinker,hernexthusband,JasonRobards,wouldbeadrinker—andBogiewasadrinker.InByMyselfsherecountedanepisode:“Thiswasreallyforeignterritory.Theeveningworeon,thedrinkingcontinued,thetalkgotmuddled—finallywegotintotheputt-puttandrodeouttohisboat,anchoredinfrontoftheyachtclub.ItmademeapprehensivewhenBogiedrankalot.Icontinuedtotalktohimasifheweresober—beingreasonable,expectinghimtobe.Idon’tknowwhathappenedthistime—whenorhowtheclickinhisbraintookplace—butsuddenlyhewasfightingwithme.Igotmoreandmorefrightened.Hestartedslamminghisfistonthetable,crying‘yougoddamactressesareallalike.’ThemoreItriedtocajoleandpacifyhim,theworsehegot.Istartedtocry.Heshouted,‘Don’tgivemethatcrap.Thehellwithyou—I’mleaving.’Andhegotofftheboat.AsIheardtheoutboardmotorchuggingaway,Icriedeverharder...Howcananyoneexplainwhatdrinkcandotopeople?Youjusthavetolivethroughitandfigureitoutforyourselfasyougoalong.Icriedhalfthenight,solvingnothing.”

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AGOLDENTRIOfor1953’sHowtoMarryaMillionaireis,abovefromleft,MarilynMonroe,BettyGrableandBacall.Thefilmhashistoricdistinctions:ItwasoneofthefirstmovieseverfilmedintheCinemaScopewide-screenformat,andlateritwouldbethefirstsemi-recentmovieshownonprime-timetelevision.Belowintwophotographsfromthepremiere:Bacall,BogieandMonroeyuckitup.Thefilm,ahit,establishesBacallassomethingmorethanjustanoirva-va-va-voom.AsEntertainmentWeeklyemphasizesyearslater,Bacall’sisthebestperformance:“Whiletheblondesmayhavemadefriends,thebrunetterunsawaywiththepicture.”

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MPTVIMAGESAboveandbelow:MomwithdaughterLeslieandwithStephen,bothphotographscirca1955.Downtheroad,whenStephen,LeslieandthenSamhavefamiliesoftheirown,shewillbewhatsheconsidersagoodJewishgrandmother—thoughshewillgrowaversetobabysitting.

PHOTOFESTSORROWWILLINTRUDEjustwhenthingsseemtobegoingsoperfectly.Above,BacallandBogartperformoppositeHenryFondainanepisodeofNBC’sProducers’Showcase.ThetelevisiondramaisThePetrifiedForest,aremakeofaclassicfilmthatwasitselftakenfromaBroadwayplay,bothofwhichfeaturedBogartasDukeMantee,oneofhisfirsttough-guypartsandasignificantearlysuccessforhim.Below:BacallandGregoryPeckinBeverlyHillsin1956.ThisyeartheywillfilmDesigningWoman,andBacallwilltranscendhernoirpersona.

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Stephen,eight,criesandiscomfortedbyhismotherasheleavesAllSaints'EpiscopalChurchinBeverlyHillsonJanuary17,1957,afterthefuneralserviceforhisfather,HumphreyBogart.

MPTVIMAGESSINATRAANDBACALLisastorythatwillneverbesortedouttoanysatisfaction.Helovedher,orhelovedplayingBogart.Shelovedhim,orshelovedtheideaofbeinginlovewithasuperstarsinger.Ascanbeseenaboveandbelow,theywerehappyandnot.

PHOTOFESTBelowissuper-agentSwiftyLazar,andheisaplayerinthisdrama.Hewasthe“recordingsecretary”ofBogart’sRatPack,andwhetherheknewofanaffairbetweenBacallandSinatrabeforeBogartdiedisunsubstantiated.Later,whenrumorscirculatedthatthetwowereengaged,Lazarwassaidtobethegossipwho,viacolumnistLouellaParsons,spreadtherumors.(“OfcourseItoldher!”)Noneofthismattersgreatly,ofcourse.Bogartdied,SinatraandBacallsplit,andSwiftywentonhisway.Thosearethefacts.

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AGOODMOTHERiswhatBacallaspiredtobeaboveallelse,andshewasthattohertwochildrenwithBogart(seenhere)andthentoSamRobards.ShedanceswithLeslie(above)andplaysinatreeinBeverlyHillswithLeslieandStephen(below).“MyobitisgoingtobefullofBogart,I’msure,”shesaidtoVanityFairin2011.“I’llneverknowifthat’strue.Ifthat’sthewayitis,that’sthewayitis.”TherecertainlywasalotofBogartintheobituariesofBacall,butintheendthefocuswasonher:aHollywoodqueeninherownrightand,moreimportant,agoodmothertoherthreechildren.

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ONCEANEWYORKER,shebecameaNewYorkeragain.SheplacedlargeordersatZabar’sdeliandattheWilliamPollfoodshop.“Sheadoredmymotherandfather,”saidMr.PolltoTheWallStreetJournaluponBacall’sdeath.“Ms.Bacallhadthegraceanddignitytospend18minutesonthephonewithmelaudingmyfatherandmother”uponhisownmother’srecentdeath.“Shewasalady.Shereallywas.”JoshuaHennerememberedtotheJournalawonderfulmomentattheGray’sPapayahotdogshoplateoneevening:Hewasemerging,andablacktowncarpulledup.Abeautifulolderwomanorderedtwohotdogs,oneforherandoneforherdriver.“Iclumsilysaidtoher,‘Hello,Ms.Bacall.’AndsheturnedaroundtomeandsaidinaveryLaurenBacallway,‘Well,hellothere.’”Hennecontinued:“NotonlyisitcoolthatshecametoGray’sPapayaat11:30atnight,butsheclearlyhadjustleftablack-tieevent.Tothisday,IwishIhadboughtherahotdog.”Below:BacallinNewYorkin1959figuringitoutforherBroadwayturninGoodbye,Charlie.

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JASONROBARDSwouldbehersecondandfinalhusband,andtheirunionwouldlasteighttumultuousyears.“Theyarealloff-centerpeople,”shetoldPeoplemagazineofthemenshewasattractedto.“Troubleandtroubled.Theyallhadtalent,humorandwereverycomplex.IsupposeImustlikeallofthat.NoonesimpleeverthoughtIwasgreat.”Well,bethatasitmay,above:ThehappyparentswithbabySamRobardsin1961.

PHOTOFESTLaurenandSamvisitingRobardsonthesetofhisfilmAThousandClownsafewyearslater.

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LaurenandtheBogartkidsin1966.

JOHNDOMINISBROADWAYBOUNDwasLaureninherseniority,andshewouldbringthehousedown.OntheabovesheisgarneringapplauseforherperformanceinApplause,theadaptationofAllAboutEveinwhichsheplaysMargoChanning,therolecreatedonscreenbyheridolBetteDavis.ShewinstheTonyforthisperformance,asshedoesjustoveradecadelaterforherleadinWomanoftheYear,playingtheKatharineHepburnpart.Alongtimeearlier,shehadbeenstandingoutsideSardi’srestaurant,peddlingcopiesoftheActor’sCuetopassersby.Shehadusheredinthetheaters,andhadworkedasahostessattheAmericanTheatreWing’sStageDoorCanteen.Andnow,Broadwayboundatlast,sheisastar.

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PHOTOFEST

PHOTOFEST

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GETTINGITDOWNisimportanttoBacallinherlastyears.Shewriteseverypageofbothofhermemoirsherself,longhand.“Honest,”shetellsVanityFair.“IpromisedmyselfIwouldbe,andBobGottlieb,whowasmyeditor[atKnopf],madeveryclearthatIhadtotellthetruth.Isaid,‘OfcourseI’mgoingtotellthetruth.There’snopointdoingitifyou’renotgoingtotellthetruth.’Iwasveryupset,forexample,abouthavingtosaysomethingaboutFrankSinatrathatwasnotverynice,but[Gottlieb]said,‘Youhaveto.’Well,Isaidhebehavedlikeas—,whichhedid.”Andsoitallcameout,inByMyself,heraward-winningfirstmemoirpublishedin1978,andthenagaininNow,publishedin1994.Amongherwords:“Thefactofmebeingalonewascrucial.Ihatedfeelingthatmylifewasoverat32.UptothattimetherehadbeeneithermymotherorBogietoleanon.Nowtherewasnoone.IfI’dstoppedtoverbalizethat,I’msureIcouldn’thavefunctioned.”Butsheverbalizeditonpaper,andithelped.Above:smokinginherapartmentinthelate1970s.


Signingin1978forByMyself.

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Raisingasignatthe1980DemocraticNationalConventioninNewYork.

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EMINENCEGRISEisanunfortunatetermtoapplytoonesobeautifulasLaurenBacall,butwhenlifestretchesintoitsninthdecade,theappelationisinescapable.AbovesheiswithfellowlivinglegendsCharltonHestonandBobDylanatwhatisbasicallyanannualLivingLegendsCelebration,theKennedyCenterHonors,in1997.(Butnote:Thatsameyear,activestill,sheisnominatedforabestsupportingactressOscarforherroleinTheMirrorHasTwoFaces;shedoesn’twin,thoughshewillbepresentedanHonoraryAcademyAwardin2009.)Below:Withherlong-agodateandlongtimedearfriendKirkDouglasin1999.Hereminiscedrecently:“ImetBettywhenshewas17andIwas24.WewerebothstudyingattheAmericanAcademyofDramaticArts.IwasonmyowninNewYorkwithmeagerfunds.Thatwinter,Bettysawmeshiveringinmythinovercoat.Shedidn’tsayanything,butshetalkedheruncleintogivingmeoneofhistwothickcoats.Iworeitforthreeyears.Thatsortofunassumingkindnesswasoneofhermostendearingcharacteristics.WhenIhadthehonorofpresentingBettywithherhonoraryOscarin2009,Itoldtheaudience:PeoplesaidBacallwas‘tough.’She’sapussycatwithaheartofgold.”Bottom:ThepussycatinLosAngeles.

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CBS/LANDOV

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LOOKINGBACKonanextraordinarylife,Bacallwasnotpreciselyambivalentbutperplexed.“I’vemadealotofmistakesinlife,”shetoldVanityFair.“Sometimesyouthink:I’mtheQueenoftheMay—Icandoanything.Thegreatthingaboutlifeis—theterriblethingaboutlifeis—thateverythingismixedup.Allthethingsyouthoughtwereonewaysuddenlyturnouttobeanotherway.YoumightsaythatmyhonoraryOscar[above,withRogerCormanandGordonWillis]wasahighpointofmylife,butitactuallyrepresentstometheworstthingI’veeverdone.Soit’sveryweird.”Webegtodiffer:Ithardlyrepresentstheworstthing,andweareallthebetterforhavingwatched—andmet—BettyBacall.

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LIFEBooksManagingEditorRobertSullivanDirectorofPhotographyChristinaLiebermanCreativeDirectorMimiParkCopyChiefParlanMcGawCopyEditorJoelVanLiewPictureEditorSarahCatesWriter-ReportersMarilynFu,AmyLennardGoehner,DanielS.LevyEditorialAssociateCourtneyMifsudPhotoAssistantCaitlinPowersDirectorofPhotographyEmeritaBarbaraBakerBurrowsTIMEINC.PREMEDIARichardK.Prue(Director),RichardShaffer(Production),KeithAurelio,JenBrown,NealClayton,CharlotteCoco,LizGrover,KevinHart,MertKerimoglu,RosalieKhan,PatriciaKoh,MarcoLau,BrianMai,PoFungNg,RudiPapiri,BarryPribula,ClaraRenauro,VauneTrachtmanTIMEHOMEENTERTAINMENTPublisherJimChildsVicePresidentandAssociatePublisherMargotSchupfVicePresident,FinanceVandanaPatelExecutiveDirector,MarketingServicesCarolPittardExecutiveDirector,BusinessDevelopmentSuzanneAlbertExecutiveDirector,MarketingSusanHettlemanPublishingDirectorMeganPearlmanAssociateDirectorofPublicityCourtneyGreenhalghAssistantGeneralCounselSimoneProcasAssistantDirector,SpecialSalesIleneSchreiderSeniorMarketingManager,SalesMarketingDanielleCostaSeniorBookProductionManagerSusanChodakiewiczSeniorManager,CategoryMarketingBryanChristianMarketingManagerIsataYansanehAssociatePrepressManagerAlexVoznesenskiyAssociateProjectManagerStephanieBragaEditorialDirectorStephenKoeppArtDirectorGaryStewartSeniorEditorRoeD’AngeloManagingEditorMattDeMazzaCopyChiefRinaBanderDesignManagerAnne-MichelleGalleroAssistantManagingEditorGinaScauzilloSpecialthanks:AllysonAngle,KatherineBarnet,BradBeatson,JeremyBiloon,JohnChamplin,IanChin,RoseCirrincione,AssuEtsubneh,MarianaEvans,ChristineFont,AlisonFoster,HillaryHirsch,DavidKahn,JeanKennedy,AmandaLipnick,AmyMangus,KimberlyMarshall,NinaMistry,DaniellePrielipp,DaveRozzelle,MatthewRyan,RicardoSantiago,DivyamShrivastavaeISBN:978-1-68330-570-5Copyright©2014TimeHomeEntertainmentInc.PublishedbyLIFEBOOKS,animprintofTimeHomeEntertainmentInc.

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NewYork,NewYork10020Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewer,whomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.Vol.14,No.17•September5,2014“LIFE”isaregisteredtrademarkofTimeInc.WewelcomeyourcommentsandsuggestionsaboutLIFEBooks.Pleasewritetousat:LIFEBooksAttention:BookEditorsPOBox11016DesMoines,IA50336-1016IfyouwouldliketoorderanyofourhardcoverCollector’sEditionbooks,pleasecallusat1-800-327-6388(MondaythroughFriday,7a.m.–8p.m.,orSaturday,7a.m.–6p.m.,CentralTime).FrontCoverPhotographbyBertSix/MPTVImages.BelowOnBroadway,NewYorkCity,before,andjustafterthelightshavebeendimmedintributetoLaurenBacallonAugust15,2014.PhotographbyPeterFoley/EPA/Landov.

life remembering lauren bacall, 1924â€“2014

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