MovieChat Forums > High Sierra (1941) Discussion > Bogart films: they haven't aged well

Bogart films: they haven't aged well

posted 17 years ago by watkins39
91 replies | jump to latest

With the notable exception of Casablanca, I find that Bogart films have dated badly. I watch as many noirs as I can, and too many of them are embarassing by modern standards. I appreciate that innocence and naivety are noir themes, but come on - in High Sierra we have Bogie fawning over a cute dog. At times it resembles an episode of Lassie.

The first Bogart film I saw was Casablanca, and it is as good as any movie I've ever seen. But Key Largo, the Big Sleep, the Maltese Falcon, High Sierra - they've all disappointed me. Does anyone agree? Which Bogie films have aged best?

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

Maybe they haven't, but they're still darned entertaining.

Very good. But brick not hit back!

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 9 years ago

First of all, I completely disagree with the OP's premise - whatever it means - but these threads about classic films not aging well are silly. These films are products of the time in which they were produced. Were they supposed to make the film with 2015 in mind? Part of the charm of classic film is seeing the values of another time. Not to mention, Earle - whose nickname is Mad DOG, mind you - and his "fawning" over the dog makes perfect sense. The Sopranos in fact showed the exact same thing - a violent, anti social criminal who can't stand people, to an extent, had a soft spot for animals. This is a well known psychological trait as far as I know....people who have problems relating to people often feel closer to animals than other humans. Earle is one such person.

Takes two to tumble it takes two to tango
Speak up don't mumble when you're in the combo

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

Part of the charm of classic film is seeing the values of another time.

Agreed. Also how places were back then. Its a time capsule and I love seeing that. Just like I love seeing movies about other countries to see how life and values are there.

Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried

[–] kbarada 9 years ago

Also how places were back then.

Don't you just love that high sierra fish camp? With the atmosphere of the trees, cabins, and lake, one can almost smell the mountain air and evergreens. How great would it be to spend a summer week there!

Do you think anything like that still exists today? The place appears like a old time fish camp and not a movie set. It seems like it was located in what is now a State or National Park up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Whatever was there has probably been torn down long ago.

The popularity of Bogart the actor may come and go, but this setting is timeless. Thankfully, we have this movie to preserve the memory of how it was a couple or three generations ago. Now that is something that will forever endure.

[–] sanjay_kn 9 years ago

what are you talking? you missed the biggest of them all: the treasure of sierra madre. still best of the best!

[–] bear022013-588-696101 9 years ago

Humphrey Bogart films are classic and HAVE aged well.

[–] chinaskee-418-613225 9 years ago

"Action in the North Atlantic" is probably one of the best action movies ever made. I think all of Bogart's movie have aged extremely well. He didn't become the most popular movie star of all time for nothing. The man was a great actor.

[–] TakeARisk 9 years ago

Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon and To Have and Have Not are great.

I also liked The Harder They Fall.

I need to rewatch Big Sleep.

Key Largo, In a Lonely Place and Dark Passage are merely OK. Watachable movies. Nothing special.

But, I agree with OP about High Sierra tho. Between pathetic Welma storyline and that silly comic relief with the dog, this movie never had the chance. Very disappointing.

[–] montrossboc-1 8 years ago

You were disappointed with The Maltese Falcon?

Short Cut, Draw Blood

[–] kgwrote-854-104240 8 years ago

Disagree-they hold up great.
In fact I think Casablanca has the most problems because so many lines are so famous, and serves as propaganda.
Only thing I wonder with these old movies is how they would have been without the Hayes Code.

[–] writetopcat 8 years ago

Sorry, I disagree. I loved every Bogart film I'ved had the pleasure of seeing. And I like seeing the reflections of life in America of times past.

in High Sierra we have Bogie fawning over a cute dog

I don't see a problem with this. Even hardened criminals have their soft spots. This helps humanize the character and helps the viewer understand how the woman can fall in love with him.

I have not had the chance to see The Big Sleep. But I have seen the others you mentioned. Key Largo was not as good, to me, as the others. It was all in that hotel and got a bit boring I thought.

[–] liscarkat (18945) 6 years ago

"39" must be Watkins's IQ.