Long before Humphrey Bogart became the iconic trenchcoat-clad cynic immortalized in film noir classics like Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon, he was something of an enigma. These rare photographs, taken circa 1937 at the famed Garden of Allah apartments in West Hollywood, offer a fascinating glimpse into Bogart’s life before superstardom.
Fresh off his breakthrough role in “The Petrified Forest,” Bogart was no stranger to Hollywood in 1937. However, the world recognition and leading-man status he craved were still a few years away. These photographs capture a man on the cusp of greatness, a well-dressed and sophisticated figure with a hint of ambition in his eyes. Gone is the world-weary cynicism audiences would come to associate with Bogie. In his place, we see a refined gentleman, his posture and attire reflecting the vestiges of his privileged upbringing at a private New York academy.
The Garden of Allah was a haven for Hollywood’s elite during its heyday. These sprawling West Hollywood bungalows, with their Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and lush landscaping, offered a sense of privacy and luxury. The photographs depict Bogart relaxing in one of the villa’s elegantly furnished rooms. The setting itself speaks volumes about Bogart’s burgeoning status within the Hollywood hierarchy.
While the photographer remains unconfirmed, some speculate these portraits might be the work of Mickey Marigold, a Warner Brothers still photographer. Marigold’s keen eye for capturing actors in their natural element is evident here. He portrays Bogart not as a character, but as a man – a man on the verge of a career-defining transformation.
