Bogie and Me: The Love Story of Humphrey Bogart and Verita Thompson

by Verita Thompson

Provides a warm, affectionate account of Verita Thompson's long-term love affair with actor Humphrey Bogart

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Biography

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoy reading biographies and I always enjoyed watching movies with Humphrey Bogart, so I simply could not pass up reading this tale, delving into Bogie's private life. It is a very interesting and enlightening story, describing what went on not only in their lives but also in the movie studios, sets and locations in general. In my eyes - an absolute must read!

[Siobhán Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to give this book four stars, not for accuracy (which I have my doubts about) but for the fascinating insider view of Golden Age Hollywood.

Verita Thompson has an interesting writing style. She interrupts her own line of thought with tidbits on the past and the future. I suppose because the story is short (240 pages, with large font, wide margins, and lots of blank pages before and after unnecessary Part One, Two and Three divisions à la the high school student who hasn't quite reached their page minimum) the way she occasionally jumps in time isn't entirely jarring and somehow works.

There is a sincerity in this book, particularly the end, and to a lesser extent, the beginning. The middle, however, tastes occasionally of bitterness. Thompson works very hard to convince us that her relationship with Bogie is exactly how she imagines it. Sure, he's been divorced three times, and each time was engaging in an affair with the next wife before the previous divorce was final, but she's different! Thompson stopped just shy of saying "I'm not like other girls" on dozens of occasions. When Bogie marries Bacall after she, Thompson, has rejected his formal advances because she herself was still married, she is truly hurt. It's one of the most relatable parts of the book as she finally acknowledges that she's been naive. This moment doesn't last long, however, and Thompson goes on to disparage Bacall numerous times from this point forward. To her credit, Thompson seems to be somewhat aware that she is being unfair towards Bacall, and yet she does not stop disparaging her.

At one point, Thompson describes being on location in Italy with Bogie and the incredible $1000 week spending money he is getting beyond his living and travel expenses. She describes the production manager joking about how Bogie couldn't possibly spend it all. Bogie says that Baby (Bacall) could. Then, a few pages later she frames Bacall as having "driven Bogie to distraction" with her shopping because "Bogie, whose manager had him on a strict budget, hated to see his expense money go for unimportant things like clothes and jewelry."

In the end, Thompson admits being jealous of Bacall, and boy is that cathartic. You're nearly worried she won't get there by the end and you'll have to feel sorry for her. But Thompson is ultimately quite sincere in her feelings, even if she really gussies up the details of her interactions with Bogie to make herself seem more important.

The backstage stories and portrayal of Golden Age Hollywood is really what makes the book the most fascinating, and for that alone, is worth reading.

[Jenn Mondello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a copy of this autographed to my dad. He used to dine at varita's restaurant.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

unbelievable story - all the details come from her imagination or the previous relationship as hairdresser or whatever. ridiculous book.