How good was Bogart?


Like he was going to come out of his skin. That might be the most angst I've ever seen out of an actor, and he barely speaks through most of the movie.
Here's to you Bogie, ya furious bastard!
You're a funny man, Sully. I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last.

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[deleted]

Bah! i love him in this sooo much! You're so right ;)

..Manel
" 'at aint tactics honey. Its just the beast in me "

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I agree wholeheartedly!

http://www.myspace.com/hollybetheightyfour

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[deleted]

This performance was unconvincing, to say the least.

The attitude of his hands was ridiculous.

As was the attitude of his head.

Wooden is the word.

This is the only bad performance by Bogart I have seen.

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A younger Bogart is so sexy.

...why thank you ever so, I never buy insurance. - Lorelei Lee

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I agree that Bogart looks pretty sexy here, but the role is rather silly. He's the most accomodating villain ever: I'm going to show up and threaten your lives but wait around quietly while a crowd of hostages talks themselves into very coventional dramatic epyphanies.

The Dillinger posturing is a very embarassing version of thirties "acting."

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[deleted]

He was something else. Truly one of the best.

That's a Dead Dog.
Yes, it is.

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I love many of the performances in this film. Bogart, Davis & Howard are all great. And Gramps too, lol.


I think 'onepotato' missed the point that he knew he was done for. He knew it was only a matter of time before the law caught up with him. And he obviously wasn't a hateful person toward people in general either, he was just a career criminal. That doesn't mean he wants to kill or hurt people just for fun. Your idea of a villian sounds ridiculous as you've stated it, as if they should all be a certain way.
Also, it isn't a Dillinger posture that Bogart does. He chose to do the stiff, hunched shoulder walk because as the story goes, he had been on the run for a long time and he had shoulder holsters. Bogart figured that by the end of the day, after being on the run for days, and carrying his guns on his shoulders. His character would then be right tired and have a stiff, hunched walk. It has nothing to do with Dillinger as some say. If you watch the extras on the dvd, or 'Bacall on Bogart', a very similar explanation is told in both places.

'poco' doesn't get it either. Wooden? He is deliberately stiff in this film. If you people watched the film, and realised he has been on the run for many days and is tired as hell, perhaps you might clue in.

My body's a cage, it's been used and abused...and I...LIKE IT!!

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[deleted]

He was brilliant. I think this is the best performance I've seen from him, better than his most famous roles.

"It's that kind of idiocy that I empathize with." ~David Bowie

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Bogie was fantastic, and I used to think that only John Huston could put that insanely vivid spark in his eyes! The man was a good actor, much better than the "hardboiled detective" label that seems to hover above him. Not that his detectives are unpleasant to watch, but that he can actually do so much more. Watch him in (again Daves') The Dark Passage to witness a meek, vulnerable Bogart!

there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above her shoulder

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I just saw it again and Bogart was so good in this role; he also looked very handsome.

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orangy,

Since Bogart is my favorite actor all time, I greatly appreciate this film since it was considered his real breakout role, and yes he really was excellent in it.

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He was excellent !! Not only is this his first major film role but it's considered by some to be his best. I think this is his trademark role that personified him until The Maltese Falcon.

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I used to think that only John Huston could put that insanely vivid spark in his eyes!


God, Bogart was SO intense in this movie. While watching the film, I kept getting the distinct, anxious feeling that he was going to snap at any moment. He was completely unhinged; psychotic even. And yet he barely said a word. Leslie Howard did most of the talking to be sure, if not all of it. But Bogart undeniably stole and owned that role. I suppose after playing a character on stage for a few times, they start to bleed into you.

Also, (And I'll repeat myself on this board because I don't know if anyone else has noticed) but Bogart BARELY blinks in this movie. I think maybe twice at the very most, but there are many scenes where he stares blankly at something or someone for an uncomfortable amount of time without blinking. It's very unsettling. I was totally invested in his character. Shame we never got to see what became of him....but I suppose that's pretty obvious anyway.

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