"If you want anything, just whistle..."

To have and have not! (1944)
This Ernest Hemingway story based film is anything but the typical Hemingway type - the one which has a convoluted story with a lot of travel and scenes of Europe. Apparently, the story was modified from the real one. It is a simple story of an world-weary American boat captain and his tribulations of being a boatman set in the seaside town in 1940 France which was at war. Morgan (Humphrey Bogart), the boat man has to put up with dumb non-paying tourist who use his services to fish and French Resistance freedom fighters who plead with him to transport their agents. Along comes Slim (Lauren Bacall), Morgan's love interest, a mysterious wandering American tourist.
Due to financial reasons when a would-be payer is shot, he relents to the Resistance's insistence. He picks up two agents from a hide-out island, an agent is shot during a shoot-out with authorities, manages to bring them across safely and nursed him to health. Morgan manages to dodge the advances of the investigation authorities and sail away into the sunset with his love of his life.

This film is no mean Titanic in production or story but it wins in other subtle ways. Bacall's debut performance is brilliant. It shows the perfect chemistry and verve that sparks between this two actors and must have been the hotbed of the start of a long lasting of a strong on-screen and off-screen relationship. Personally I have not seen any pair ever forge such vibes ever in my novice and limited experience.
The music score, made mostly by the music director (Hoagy Carmichael) who was seen as the pianist at hotel lounge that Morgan resides, is quite catchy. Bacall tries her hand (voice) at one of the songs played. Unfortunately, her voice sounds too rough, probably due to all those smoking. Still, she was only 19 then and had an amazing thin disappearing waist!
Morgan's alcoholic sidekick on his boat provides a few thinking comical moments. A good watch!

Memorable quote from the film, "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and... blow."

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