Play It Again - The Incredible Story And Experiences Of The Legendary Humphrey Bogart

There was no one who could match Humphrey Bogart's suaveness and sophistication on the big screen. He was the epitome of the perfect leading man, and his magnetic delivery of lines made him one of the most popular stars of the film noir period.

He effortlessly portrayed a range of characters, from the charmingly suave man to the lovable rogue. His acting was infused with a sense of assurance that was rare for actors during that period. He could be seen as the tough guy in one movie, but then would display his kinder side in another. His life was full of ups and downs, and he often made the news. It's an incredible story.

The Controversial Birth Date

On the festive occasion of Christmas in 1899, Belmont and Maud Bogart welcomed their firstborn, Humphrey, into the world in the city of New York. The surname "Bogart" is of Dutch origin and is usually spelled as "Bogaert". Nonetheless, the exact date of birth of the legendary movie star was up for debate for a long time, with many thinking the Warner Bros public relations team shifted it to the 23rd of January for an odd purpose.

It was speculated that the movie studio wanted to avoid having their star actor, who often acted as a villain in their films, have a birth date that was generally associated with merriment and jolliness. Humphrey Bogart only ever honored his birthday on December 25 and this date was provided on all of his official certificates, such as his marriage licenses. So despite the movie studio's wishes, it is now generally accepted that the star was, in fact, born on Christmas Day.