Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Kathryn Ferguson and Freestyle Digital Media is a documentary on one of the most iconic actors of our time with BOGART: Life Comes in Flashes.

Humphrey Bogart is a name that is synonymous with gangster/detective/tough guy roles but there is more to the man than that. Born in New York to a father, Belmont, who was a doctor and a mother, Maud, who was a famous illustrator, it seemed Bogart was going to find his own direction. It wasn’t through school where he couldn’t or wouldn’t fit in, or his time in the Navy as a way to avoid relying on family – it would begin as a young man doing odd jobs in a theatre.

Then Bogart finds himself on the Playhouse Theatre stage acting starting with Drifting and receiving reviews both good and bad. He found a bit of normalcy marrying fellow actor Helen Menken in 1926 but it only lasted a year. He also kept long hours and enjoyed drinking. He wouldn’t stay in New York as 20^th Century Fox snapped him up and started with the 1930 John Ford film UP THE RIVER. In the middle of this, Bogart married his second wife actress Mary Phillips.

It is actor Leslie Howard who wants Bogart to star in the next film, THE PETRIFIED FOREST along with Bette Davis. Playing the role of escaped murderer Duke Mantee, Bogart is now a recognizable face to film goers. Howard made it clear that “No Bogart, No Deal” and now Warner Bros. knew they had to give it a go. After this, Bogar is now under contract and is typecast as a gangster and working tirelessly. With the ending of his second marriage, Bogart finds love again with third wife Mayo Methot. It became clear to their friends that drinking, fighting and making up was their “love” language.

In 1947, Bogart finds himself in the world of politics, not as a runner but more as a spokesman for what he sees as the ills of the world and those causing it. Then comes a role that is one of the most memorable in motion pictures industry and that is THE MALTESE FALCON in 1941 as Bogart takes on the trench coat wearing Sam Spade. This is followed by CASABLANCA in 1943. As his third marriage is ready to crumble – enter the stunning beautiful Lauren Bacall and in 1946, the star in THE BIG SLEEP together. During this time, Mayo is becoming more and more violent toward Bogart and that marriage ends.

At the age of 47, Bogart falls in love for the last time and marries Bacall in 1945 and they become Hollywood’s IT couple. They also find themselves back dealing with what the government is doing. Bogart speaks about what he saw in Washington and is disgusted with what is happening to his fellow Americans. Because of it, he feels the heat. In his marriage he finds himself becoming a father but continues working bringing his 1950 film A LONLEY PLACE followed by the 1952 film THE AFRICAN QUEEN and garners Bogart an Academy Award.

Bogart becomes a father again and decides to start his own production company, Santana Productions and is in Europe filming BEAT THE DEVIL IN 1954 and then THE CAINE MUTINY in 1954. Becall is also keeping busy filming HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE in 1953. In 1956, an opportunity for Bogart and Bacall to once again make a film together. That is put on hold as it becomes clear that Bogart is ill. In January 1957, he succumbs.

Freestyle Releasing specializes in releasing films theatrically and representing independent films. Releasing content through Freestyle Digital Media, their most successful film theatrically to date is the 2014 film GOD’S NOT DEAD. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv

Archival footage speaking about Bogart come from Ingrid Bergman, son Stephen H. Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart himself and more with narration by Kerry Shale. These are Bogart’s own words from unseen archives, letters, interviews and those who were close to the actor.

When Bogart died, he left behind memories of a life off the big screen and a larger than life imagine on the big screen. It is wonderful to experience in this documentary to see the life of a man most only know as an amazing actor. I believe that sometimes we forget that there is a life history in the lives of our favorite performers and BOGART: Life Comes in Flashes gives us such deep insight to his beginnings.

To learn that he took a turn so far away from what his parents wanted and became successful for it is only half the story. It was not overnight fame but instead a long line of a constant pushing from Broadway to Hollywood. He looked for love and although each marriage was to an actress, it showed his need for something stable in the midst of the craziness of Hollywood. It would be the last years of his life that he would finally find exactly what he was looking for.

A Bogart fan since I was in my teens, I can honestly say that BOGART: Life Comes in Flashes is an amazing piece of filmmaking about an iconic actor. Hearing from his friends, fellow actors and final love, Bacall, is all brilliantly brought into the documentary by director Ferguson. Learning about his final days is equally stunning knowing that he was surrounded by love, friends, and family – these are things I never knew. Now, everyone will get a chance to experience it all and get to know the true Humphrey Bogart.

In the end – here’s looking at you Bogie!

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