To Have & Have Not

 

 

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It has been 67 years since this movie was made and the scenes with Bacall and Bogart are still full of spark and magic. These two stars, along with the wonderful charactor actor Walter Brennan, make this a great movie.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "TO HAVE AN HAVE NOT" (1944) (106 min/B&W) -- Starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Brennan, Lauren Bacall & Sheldon Leonard

Directed by Howard Hawks

"To Have and Have Not" is notable mainly for an electric first teaming of soon-to-be marrieds Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and this free adaptation of a Hemingway story gives the stars plenty of time to shine. Bacall in particular steals the show with her checkered suits and her husky voice 'You know how to whistle, don't you? Put your lips together and blow.'

The interplay between Bogey and Bacall is some of the most unforced, natural acting ever to grace the big screen. And what could be sexier than Bacall's flirting before they kissed? One not to be missed.

The film works because of the great cast. Bogart does "downbeat but ultimately heroic" better than many others and he does it well here - tough, smart and morally challenged. Bacall has less of a character to speak of but she makes up for that by sheer force of personality; The two fell in love during the film and it does show on screen, with a great chemistry and real sexual tension between them - a heavy amount of classic scenes and hot moments also helps.

And then there's Walter Brennan, who takes a second-string role and turns it into a delight at every turn. He's a lush who can't string two thoughts together, and yet he sees all, knows all, and tells too much to the wrong people. And that walk! The booze, the sea, and the years, all rolled into one gait that's both wavering and seaworthy.

The great composer musician Hoagy Carmichael puts in an appearance as Cricket, the entertaining pianist at the hotel lounge. Flawlessly there are three musical numbers. Still remember Mr. Carmichael's rendition of "Hong Kong blues" that one keeps ringing in your ears forever. Two other tunes were, "Am I blue?", and a sultry rendition of his hit by Lauren Bacall, "How little We Know". Her interpretation stays with you.

BIOS:
1. Howard Hawks [aka: Howard Winchester Hawks]
Date of Birth: 30 May 1896, Goshen, Indiana
Date of Death: 26 December 1977, Palm Springs, California

2. Humphrey Bogart
Date of Birth: 25 December 1899 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 14 January 1957 - Los Angeles, California

3. Walter Brennan [aka: Walter Andrew Brennan]
Date of Birth: 25 July 1894 - Swampscott, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 21 September 1974 - Oxnard, California

4. Lauren Bacall [aka: Betty Joan Perske]
Date of Birth: 16 September 1924 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: Still Living

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 106 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (07/25/2006)

I've watched this movie at least 10 times in the last couple of years and consider it one of the finest movies ever. The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall and the amazing character actors is Hollywood at its best. The music by Hoagy Carmichael is superb and fits in well with the story. Obviously it stands up to repeated viewings and how anyone can think that Casablanca is a better movie is beyond me.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Bogie and Bacall at their best together
This was billed as "Hemingway's To Have and Have Not," but if there is one thing it isn't, it isn't Hemingway's novel. Read more

Published on Aug 8 2007 by Dennis Littrell

4.0 out of 5 stars An H & H production
The success of this picture was apparently a little embarassing to the legendary director Howard Hawks. Read more

Published on July 7 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Works because of Bogie and Bacall's chemistry.
In my opinion, this movie's story is not all that interesting or original. As it's been said many times, To Have and Have Not is essentially Casablanca's twin sister, and bares... Read more

Published on Jun 12 2004 by R. Graff

5.0 out of 5 stars The first meeting of this immortal couple
Bogart in his well known of anti hero owner-operator of charter boat in wartime Martinique.
The essential inner values about the freedom however don't tie Bogart with anyone... Read more

Published on Jun 5 2004 by Hiram Gomez Pardo

5.0 out of 5 stars The movie that introduced Bogart to Bacall & us now on DVD!
Warner BrothersEnterainment does an outstanding job an converting this classic to DVD.

This was one of Hollywoods immortal romantic couples along with Gable and Lombard and... Read more

Published on May 5 2004 by forrie

2.0 out of 5 stars Thank Goodness for Bogart and Bacall
Someday, someone will successfully explain how an entire generation of film critics fooled themselves and their readers into thinking that director Howard Hawks was a major talent... Read more

Published on April 22 2004 by Charles S. Tashiro

4.0 out of 5 stars Bogart in Hemingway's Martinique novel...
To Have and Have Not is an adaptation of Hemingway's novel that takes place on the French colony of Martinique after the Nazis occupation of France. Read more

Published on Mar 4 2004 by Kim Anehall

5.0 out of 5 stars IN MY ALL TIME TOP TEN!
This is the best Bacall and Bogart movie! It is the epitome of male and female coolness with savvy one-liners and quirky characters. A classic not to miss!!

Published on Jan 10 2004 by AKW

4.0 out of 5 stars definitely "to have"...in your collection
Forget the TCM channel and AMC, buy this DVD and keep it close to the player because you'll want to play it over and again. Read more

Published on Jan 10 2004 by Joseph J Roco

5.0 out of 5 stars You know how to whistle
This is a great movie; a most have for any film buff and Bogart fan. Though the story is very Casablanca-sque, the pairing of Bogart and Bacall is legandary. Read more

Published on Jan 8 2004 by Sanis1

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