

This is partly because Key Largo finds a way, in spite of its hallmark genre era patented cynicism, to be the ultimate cinematic affirmation of the worldview that sprang up for the Greatest Generation following the Second World War.

Robinson’s best take on a wiseguy in the part of Johnny Rocco, but with its coherent plotting and lack of sexual innuendo between Bogie and a surprisingly softer Bacall, it sometimes flies under the radar with fans looking for the quintessential post-war noirs. It is definitely a crime picture filled with gangsters, including Edward G. Indeed, while the movie is fondly remembered as a Bogie and Bacall sizzler in the world of booze, broads, and bullets, it is the one “noir” film that they did which is not truly noir.

Yet, as great as their two collaborations with Howard Hawks are, To Have and Have Not (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946), I found myself again drawn to their fourth, final, and most underrated shared project, John Huston’s Key Largo (1948). But on the flipside, he was never her patsy either, and each film bucked the odds of a noir hero’s chances for survival when confronted by cool blonde hair (and make no mistake, Bacall was as cool as they came). Much like their legendary off-screen romance, Bogie spent three consecutive noir films matching wits with the much younger Bacall and never once seemed her senior or superior. But how could she when her earliest films always had her squaring off against Humphrey Bogart? He was too much an equal for the dame-est dame who ever lived to be lured to a cataclysmic end. Where to Use the Restroom: Use the restroom at the Holiday Inn before you go.Often described as simply “the voice,” this is the woman who possessed that confidence-annihilating siren call a quintessential femme fatale who somehow never proved fatal.This is why I recommend scheduling this cruise early in your trip! If your tour is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to reschedule according to availability, or you will receive a credit to use on a future trip. In case of inclement weather, the tour operator can cancel up to an hour before your start time. In Case of Inclement Weather: The African Queen operates in light rain and other reasonable weather conditions.What to Bring: Water is provided, but you are welcome to bring food or other beverages with you.What to Wear: Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended.If You’re Running Late: Please call your tour operator at (305) 451-8080.Arrival Instructions: Please arrive 15 minutes before your cruise time, and check in at the kiosk at the Holiday Inn.Look how much fun my cute husband is having! More here: The Most Common Travel Planning Mistakes Know Before You GoĪs always, it’s best to know a few things in advance! There is a Bogart film festival in Key Largo every year, so the Bogart connection is all you need! Why is she in Key Largo? You may also be familiar with another Bogart movie, Key Largo, based on the Labor Day 1935 hurricane that shocked the Keys. In 1992, she became registered as a National Historic Site, and in 2011, Captain Lance Holmquist and his wife Suzanne restored her in time for the boat’s 2012 centennial birthday! For more about the restoration, check out their website. She starred in the film alongside Bogart and Hepburn in 1951, then went humbly back into service until 1968.Īfter that, she made her way to the USA, serving in San Francisco, Oregon, and Florida before settling in Key Largo in 1982.

She shuttled cargo, missionaries (like Hepburn’s character and her character’s brother in the film), and hunting parties between Belgian Congo and Uganda for many years. The boat from the film, the REAL African Queen, was built in England in 1912 for the East Africa British Railway Company. Bonus points if you know this reference from the movie! More here: What to Know Before you Visit the Florida Keys History of the African Queen
