Here’s looking at you,kid. Film buffs are getting ready to celebrate an iconic actor who appeared in 75 movies during a 50-year career, at Humphrey Bogart Film Festival, in Key Largo, Florida, Oct. 21-25.
Key Largo, of course, is one of his definitive films, with Lauren Bacall, who passed away last year. This year’s Humphrey Bogart Film Festival honors them both.
Bogie and Bacall famously teamed up to star in “Key Largo,” the fourth and final film pairing the married actors. It was a headline-making Hollywood love affair long before the days on Brangelina or Bennifer.
Returning to co-host events and film screenings is Bogart and Bacall’s son, Stephen Bogart, and Eddie Muller, the novelist and film historian nicknamed “Czar of Noir.”
Also to be on hand is special guest Monika Henreid, a documentary filmmaker and daughter of “Casablanca” co-star Paul Henreid, who played Victor Laszlo in the famed movie that also starred Bogey, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains.
Festival highlights include indoor and outdoor single- and double-feature showings of several Bogart classics, and special events including the Costume or Casual Cocktail Reception, Bogart Block Party and Seaside Soirée.
Throughout the weekend, fans can view Bogart memorabilia, find festival collectibles and book canal cruises on the fully restored African Queen, the original boat from John Huston’s 1951 film of the same name that starred Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The venerable vessel is docked at the Holiday Inn Key Largo, mile marker 100.
All-access and single-event passes and merchandise can be purchased at www.bogartfilmfestival.com.
In addition, the 2015 festival has partnered with the faculty and graduate students of the University of Miami Department of Cinema & Interactive Media to host a student short film competition and festival.
Student film submission categories include film noir, crime, thriller, comedy, documentary, action-adventure and more. The winning films are to be shown during the festival.
The student film festival also is to feature workshops on “Filmmaking in South Florida” as well as “Floridian Noir Storytelling,” a practicum hosted by award-winning directors Billy Corben and Tom Musca.
Event information and schedule: www.bogartfilmfestival.com
Key Largo visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088
What’s your favorite Bogart film? Mine is a toss-up between Casablanca and The African Queen, with co-star Katherine Hepburn.
What do you think? We value your comments and love hearing from you.