When tragedy struck, Lauren Bacall found herself blindsided by her new husband Humphrey Bogart's unexpected reaction. It was 1945, and their marriage was still in its early days. Lauren had just lost her beloved dog in a car accident and reached out to Bogie for comfort. Instead, she found him in a state she'd never seen before. "He was crocked," Lauren revealed in her memoir By Myself. "Bogie was drunker than I'd ever seen him and drunker than he'd ever be again," she wrote. This shocking moment left Lauren feeling a mix of anger, inadequacy, and uncertainty about their future together.
This pivotal night in 1945 became a turning point in their legendary relationship. "It's at that moment when she says, 'I can't put up with this anymore. I'm going to have to find a way to either make this work or get out,'" explains William J. Mann, author of the new book Bogie & Bacall: The Surprising True Story of Hollywood's Greatest Love Affair. Lauren's determination paid off, and their bond grew stronger. "Bogie was definitely the love of her life," Mann asserts, "but it wasn't always easy." Their relationship was a rollercoaster, filled with highs and lows that tested their commitment to each other.
From the start, their relationship faced challenges. Lauren was only 19 when she met Bogie, who was already on his third marriage, during the filming of To Have and Have Not in 1944. "That's a big age gap," Mann notes, emphasizing the hurdles they had to overcome. Lauren was thrust into a world she had to learn quickly, both professionally and personally. "He didn’t even come home sometimes," Mann says. "To imply there was just this happy Valentine's fairy-tale love story the whole time isn’t true. Everyone said she tamed him, and she sort of did, eventually, but it wasn’t easy." Their journey was far from perfect, but their love was undeniable.
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Some obstacles brought them closer together. In 1947, they made a bold decision to speak out against the House Un-American Activities Committee and Hollywood blacklists. "They took some backlash," Mann explains, "but it was incredibly brave of them." Their shared values and commitment to standing up for what they believed in strengthened their bond and set them apart from other Hollywood couples of the era.
Despite their public solidarity, private challenges persisted. When Lauren wanted to start a family, Bogie initially resisted. "He was very upset," Mann says. "He just wanted to take care of [his wife], not little kids." Eventually, Bogie came around, and they built a life together filled with happiness and love. They had two children, Stephen and Leslie, shared their home with a pack of dogs, and became the king and queen of Hollywood for several years. Their love story became the stuff of legend, inspiring countless others with its authenticity and depth.
A Bond That Endured Through Trials
Tragedy struck again in 1955 when Bogie was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Lauren proved once more how strong their bond truly was. "She wasn’t only there to help feed him and all that, but she’d sleep with him in his hospital bed, too," Mann shares. "He was so thin, she’d sometimes carry him over to the bathroom." There was a poignant moment when Bogart said, "I’m sorry to have to lean on you." Lauren's response was heartfelt and revealing: "I love you to lean on me. I’ve been leaning on you for so long. It’s time you lean on me." This exchange captures the essence of their relationship—a partnership built on mutual respect and love.
Bogie passed away in 1957 at the age of 57. "She was there right until the end," says Mann. "So it really is one of those made-for-Hollywood love stories." Their story continues to inspire generations, reminding us that true love is about enduring challenges and cherishing every moment together.
