Incredible Bogie in Petrified Forest (1936)

Like many actors of old, Bogie started in the theater not in Hollywood movies.  In fact he spent many years working hard in theatrical productions making very little.  It was while working these theaters that he landed the role of Duke Mantee in the theatrical performance of Petrified Forest.

If you can imagine, Playwright Robert Emmet Sherwood had originally suggested Bogart for the part of Boze Hertzlinger, the ex-football player who can't quite let go of his past and grow up, but producer-director Arthur Hopkins had a better idea that turned out to be genius.  Hopkins who made a point of seeing everything on Broadway each season and had seen Bogart in the play "Invitation to a Murder" noticed his silent moments in the play more than his actual speeches, "when he was quiet, time seemed to stand still" he said.

Well Bogie was cast as Duke Mantee the escaped convict and from there the rest is, as they say, history.  The part of Duke Mantee that he played in the theater and later in the Hollywood movie production shaped the type of character that Bogie would play for the rest of his life.  He may have wanted to do "more desirable" acting parts but he was good at the menacing gangster and his fans loved him that way.  I too am glad he stuck with the character because one of my favorite genres is the Gangster movie and that genre would not have been the same without the larger than life Bogie!

Over the years Bogart has become one of my favorite actors, second only to the larger than life John Wayne!

Treat yourself to this little gem, Petrified Forest, Bogie, Buttery Popcorn and an ice cold pop!  Oh Yeah!