You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? Just put your lips together and blow. -Lauren Bacall as Marie ‘Slim’ Browning in To Have and Have Not (1944)

The “whistle” line from the scene above was Lauren Bacall’s most famous moment in film. The moment would jump start her extensive career. It’s a scene which is still sexy and electric and holds up to today’s libertine standards in the classiest of ways. It’s hard to believe Bacall was only 19-years old at the time, as she just oozes confidence and chews up the scene and, her leading man and future husband, Humphrey Bogart. The film is To Have and Have Not which was co-written by author William Faulkner based on Ernest Hemingway’s novel of the same name.

Sadly, the day after Robin Williams passed away, we lost another legend, in actress Lauren Bacall. Bacall suffered a massive stroke at her home in the Upper West Side in Manhattan. She was 89-years old at the time.

A superstar from the very beginning, Lauren Bacall, born Betty Joan Perske, was relentlessly imitated but never duplicated. She was truly one-of-a-kind, a goddess of film noir. Check out The Big Sleep (1946) and Key Largo (1948), two other noir films she starred with Bogart.

As a fashion icon, she radiated elegance, grace and glamour. As a femme fatale on the silver screen, the smoky-voiced siren knocked ’em dead. The actress was pure gold.

Lauren Bacall is survived by her son Stephen Humphrey Bogart, her daughter Leslie Bogart, and her son, actor Sam Robards. Our thoughts go out to her family, friends and fans.

@teemunny

 

 

 

 

1944 - Lauren Bacall in To Have and Have Not (Warner Brothers) 1944 - Lauren Bacall in 'To Have and Have Not' (Warner Brothers) 1946 - Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart (CBS) 1952 - Bacall and Bogart at home in Los Angeles with their son, Stephen, and three pet boxers, Harvey, George and Baby (Sid Avery) Lauren Bacall 1970 - Lauren Bacall on stage in musical comedy 'Applause' 2007 - Bacall, left, Kate Bosworth, Amy Adams, Julie Taymor and Diane Lane attend Elle magazine's Women in Hollywood event (Jeff Vespa) 2009 - Lauren Bacall accepting her honorary Academy Award