Originated when Hawks boasted to Hemingway that he could take the latter's worst novel and make it into a good film. He did, and made movie history by teaming Humphrey Bogart and newcomer Lauren Bacall. It's all Hollywoodized stuff in this macho-Hawksian, indirect variant of "Casablanca," set in WWII Martinique, with brave Free French and, bad by definition Nazis and Vichy collaborators. Bogart is the tough cynic with a boat for hire, Bacall is the slinky creature who makes her entrance with "Anybody got a match?" and later tells Bogie : " You know how to whistle, don't you? Put your lips together and ... blow." As Bogart said, on the screen, more than once to his leading ladies :"You're good, you're very good." Right he was. The Bogart-Bacall sexual approaches and chemistry are terrific. Hoagy Carmichael serves up some of his uniquely different, winsome songs. This movie-movie may be schlock, but of the kind that film dreams are made of.

(Edwin Jahiel)