Humphrey Bogart — and then audiences — fell in love with Lauren Bacall, whose 1944 debut To Have And Have Not showcased her alluring cool and smoldering charm. Though just 19, she more than held her own acting opposite Bogart, who at 44 was already a star and hot off of Casablanca.
The actress, who died Monday at 89, thrived during her decades-spanning career, continuing to prove why she had quickly shot to stardom in the first place.
Here, we look at the five key roles that elevated Bacall to icon status.
To Have And Have Not (1944)
Bacall‘s onscreen chemistry with Bogart quickly turned real when they met on the set. Bacall tantalized audiences with the film’s most famous line, “You know how to whistle, don’t you Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.”
The Big Sleep (1946)
The couple tackled Raymond Chandler‘s novel. Its convoluted plot perplexed moviegoers at the time, but the film has gone on to be well liked by critics today.
Dark Passage (1947)
Bacall and Bogart hysteria was in full effect by the time the noir hit theaters, with tension at a high point as she removed bandages from her real-life husband’s face.
Key Largo (1948)
The final film to star the couple, Key Largo became synonymous with Bogart and Bacall’s romance and 11-year marriage, going on to inspire Bertie Higgins 1981 hit song of the same name.
The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
Bacall won a Golden Globe and received her only Oscar nomination for her work opposite Barbara Streisand. In one of her key scenes, she told Streisand “I always thought I had more time.”
