Hey Steve, you’ve got that whistling skill in your pocket, right? You know, that ability to create beautiful sounds through pursed lips? Well, it’s time to put it to good use! Imagine captivating your friends and family with your melodic tunes. Picture their faces lighting up as they hear those enchanting notes floating through the air. With your whistle, you have the power to create a moment of joy and wonder for those around you. So go ahead, Steve, why not give it a go? Show the world your talent and let your whistle soar!
The unforgettable hint of seduction has been forever imprinted in the minds of movie lovers, serving as the catalyst for the timeless love story between the iconic Hollywood duo, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. As fate intertwined their paths during the production of the film “To Have and Have Not,” their connection ignited a scandalous romance despite Bogart’s existing marriage to Mayo Methot. Despite their significant age difference, the couple defied societal norms, exchanging vows when Bacall was merely 20 years old and Bogart was 25 years her senior. This captivating love affair has left an indelible mark on cinema history, captivating audiences with its mesmerizing intensity.
Now, Hollywood historian William J. Mann probes their relationship in his latest book, Bogie & Bacall: The Surprising True Story of Hollywood’s Greatest Love Affair, out July 11.
I’ve got a fantastic treat for you – I’ve managed to get my hands on an exclusive snippet from a book that reveals the truth about Bacall and Bogart’s marriage. Trust me, their life wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies like you see in the movies. In this passage, we delve deeper into Bacall’s infatuation with Adlai Stevenson, a prominent American politician and presidential hopeful. By reading between the lines of her memoir, we get an intimate glimpse into the dynamics of their connection. It’s like deciphering a cryptic message! So, let’s buckle up and uncover the hidden truths behind this intriguing relationship!
According to Bacall herself, it is evident that the two of them had, at the very least, a deep emotional connection, and possibly even a physical relationship. This affair seemed to make Bogart somewhat cautious. Keep reading to discover more about this possible unfaithfulness between the unforgettable pair, Bogie and Bacall, both on and off the screen.
Back in 1952, during the autumn season, a Hollywood producer advised Bacall to remain silent and stay neutral regarding the ongoing presidential campaign if she wanted to play it smart. This suggestion was rooted in the previous controversy that Bacall and Bogie had caused five years before when they had expressed their disapproval of the House Un-American Activities Committee by traveling to Washington. Despite the still lingering aftermath of that event, Bacall didn’t comply with the producer’s advice. She questioned the state of things, wondering aloud about the limitation on her freedom to voice her support for Adlai Stevenson.
Bogie and his wife both had a strong admiration for the intelligent governor of Illinois and the Democratic candidate. They even joined Stevenson on his campaign stops in California. Bacall was completely thrilled by this experience, as the cheering crowds made her feel like she was running for office herself. She, in fact, became quite assertive and wouldn’t allow anyone else to be a part of Stevenson’s motorcade, not even popular campaigners like Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Even after Stevenson went off to Texas, Bacall was still overcome with campaign fever. As a result, she made arrangements to reunite with the candidate at a rally held in Madison Square Garden, New York.
During their campaign journey to Pennsylvania, Bacall and Stevenson had frequent intimate conversations while Bogart was taking a nap. Stevenson never failed to acknowledge Bacall during his speeches, waving and smiling at her, which made her feel a sense of vulnerability. Naturally, such a close relationship sparked rumors and gossip, especially considering that Stevenson was the first major-party nominee to have gone through a divorce. His sister, Buffie Ives, who served as his official hostess, was not thrilled about Bacall getting close to her brother. Some newspapers even mentioned that the Democrats had the stunning Lauren Bacall for glamour, but Ives saw it as a potential source of gossip. Any suggestion that Stevenson was flirting with Bacall would only confirm the suspicions of voters who distrusted divorced men. Ives did her best to keep photographers away from Bacall, but preventing her from being near the candidate proved to be a difficult task.
By the end of the campaign, Bacall was completely smitten. She firmly believed that Stevenson needed a partner, someone to share his life with, and she couldn’t help but wish that she could be that someone. In her memoir, she openly expressed her deep emotions. She had daydreams of being a long-distance partner, a trusted friend he could confide in about anything. Her desire was to be connected to an extraordinary man who had the power to positively impact the world, which her own husband seemingly lacked. Bacall wrote passionately about how it only takes one person with genuine passion to ignite similar passions within oneself. Meeting Stevenson had a profound effect on her life. She described an internal transformation, where something inside her shifted, ultimately altering her forever.
Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart’s story is often hailed as Hollywood’s most epic romance, but their journey together was far from simple. Bacall was a vibrant 28-year-old when she crossed paths with Bogie. However, when she had married him, she was a young 20-year-old and he was a seasoned veteran, 25 years older than her. The public narrative may overlook the challenges posed by their significant age difference. At the time she met Bogie, Bacall was in the prime of her life, while he was facing the effects of his indulgences in heavy drinking and smoking. Bacall had never had the chance to fully explore love or discover her own sexual and emotional power, unlike Bogie who had enjoyed his youthful freedoms. This juncture in her life allowed her to make decisions on her own terms and build her own relationships. It was during this time that she realized she cherished being known as Miss Bacall, just as much as being addressed as Mrs. Bogart.
During the night of the election, Bogie fell ill with a virus and had to remain at the hotel. Bacall, however, didn’t stay by his side and decided to stay for the election event. She felt it was too important to miss out on anything. At the governor’s mansion, everyone was initially filled with excitement and hope. But their spirits quickly plummeted when Eisenhower won by a huge margin. Bacall couldn’t control her emotions as she listened to Stevenson’s concession speech. Overwhelmed with sorrow, she made her way back to their room and found Bogie more upset about not having enough quarters for the pay TV than the election results. Bacall revealed that before Adlai Stevenson, she had been a content woman with a loving husband, two wonderful children, professional success, a beautiful home, and financial security. But Stevenson had a profound impact on her, completely shaking her up. As they flew back to Los Angeles, Bacall confessed that her mind was far away from Bogie, occupied with thoughts about the man she had left behind.
She was resolute in her decision to ensure that Stevenson didn’t fade away entirely from her existence. Her husband began to express his disapproval. In a dry manner, Bogie, her friend and director, John Huston, remarked, “Miss Bacall wholeheartedly supports Governor Stevenson, to the point of making her sick.” During the campaign, Bogie shared a creative concept with his wife: a cartoon featuring himself, their two children, and the scene taking place at their front door. In this cartoon, Stephen would inquire, “Daddy, where’s Mommy?” and a sorrowful Bogie would respond, “She’s with Adlai.”
During the time when Bogie was filming Beat the Devil in Italy, Bacall made a trip to New York. She attended a party thrown in honor of Stevenson, and interestingly enough, she didn’t seem too bothered by being the only Bogart in attendance. After the party concluded, the governor gallantly accompanied Bacall back to her hotel, which she viewed as an opportunity for some intimate conversation. Bacall hoped for a chance to speak with him privately, on a more personal level. Although she wasn’t entirely certain if he would be open to that level of intimacy with her, the implication was that he might be. However, if she did extend the invitation, Stevenson politely declined.
Was she ready to engage in an extramarital affair with Stevenson on that particular night? According to her memoir, it seems that way. In the memoir, she mentions that Stevenson enjoyed flirting and was aware of her young age and intense infatuation towards him. However, she also clarifies that it wasn’t that she was unsatisfied with her husband or loved him any less, but being with Stevenson ignited a dormant side of her. In her imagination, she wished to have the best of both worlds: maintaining her marriage and home while also keeping a connection with Stevenson. She had no intention of leaving her husband and home, but she aimed to see Stevenson whenever possible and ensure that he was conscious of her presence.
When the pair found themselves in New York, they made arrangements to meet again in California, where Stevenson was scheduled to deliver a speech. Promptly and without hesitation, Bacall positioned herself right at the forefront. In her own words, she recounted, “It was as if Stevenson caught my eye—or maybe I caught his—or perhaps we caught each other’s.” They devised a plan to rendezvous in Palm Springs, where the governor intended to unwind and find solace. With her mind racing with possibilities, Bacall embarked on her journey to the desert, leaving her children under the care of their nursemaids. “I felt like a part of his life, and this only fueled my hopes and desires,” she wrote. She accompanied Stevenson to social gatherings with friends. If a romantic relationship blossomed between the two, it was highly likely that it occurred in the alluring presence of the San Jacinto Mountains, where prying eyes were nonexistent.
Bacall couldn’t wait to see Stevenson once again, but Bogie, who had just returned from Italy, firmly stated, “Absolutely not!” Her husband’s jealousy had surfaced in the past and she knew it would resurface again. Most of the time, he managed to hold it in check, but when it became too much, it all spilled out. Despite his opposition, she courageously defied him and flew to Illinois, which was undoubtedly a blow to Bogart’s pride. However, Bacall didn’t find things unfolding as she had hoped. The opportunity to enjoy the same level of closeness she had experienced with Stevenson in Palm Springs was shattered. There were always other people present, making it difficult for them to have any private moments. “All very proper,” Bacall remarked. In particular, Buffie Ives became even more hostile, questioning her persistently about her husband and children. Bacall admitted that she felt flattered by the idea of being considered a threat by Ives.
However, it is highly likely that the threat had been greatly exaggerated. The following day, as Bacall made her way to the airport, she decided to pay a visit to Stevenson’s farm in Libertyville to bid him farewell. To her surprise, she found Stevenson in the company of a woman who she vaguely referred to as one of his loyal followers, unable to recall her name. Even though they exchanged heartfelt goodbyes, it was clear that the passionate romance between Bacall and Stevenson had reached its conclusion. Stevenson was known to have numerous relationships with other women, and Bacall might have finally come to terms with this fact. Although Bacall continued to speak positively about Stevenson and would support him in his presidential endeavors once again, the intensity and closeness they once shared was now a thing of the past. Bacall boarded the plane, heading back to her spouse and children.
When Bogie fell ill a few years later, Bacall remained unwavering in her love for him, despite not always being emotionally loyal. This devotion would extend even after Bogie’s passing, as Bacall developed a similar fondness for Frank Sinatra. Yet, Bogart had his own bouts of unfaithfulness, seeking solace in his former flame Verita “Pete” Thompson, who shared his age and temperament. Meanwhile, Bacall pursued her own romantic interests. However, these extramarital affairs should not diminish the profound love shared by Bogie and Bacall. Absolute faithfulness did not define their relationship; instead, they trusted and supported one another. At the beginning, Bogie guided a young woman unacquainted with the trappings of fame and public life. Towards the end, Bacall cared for her frail husband, tending to his wounds and offering comfort. Amidst Hollywood’s glamorous legends, their story reminds us that behind the public eye, they were simply human beings with their own tales to tell.