Honorary Awards-Lauren Bacall

Today, we talk about one of the persons who did  achievements, exceptional contributions to motion picture arts and sciences, and outstanding service to the Academy for lifetime. Her name is Lauren Bacall.

Lauren Bacall became a movie star the moment she taught Humphrey Bogart how to whistle (”You just put your lips together and blow”) in “To Have and Have Not” (1944), her first film role at age 20. Their real-life love story made headlines around the world and marriage did nothing to diminish the duo’s on-screen chemistry in subsequent pairings such as “The Big Sleep,” “Dark Passage” and “Key Largo.” Despite a selective approach to scripts and a greater commitment to her craft than to box office returns, Bacall has amassed 50 film credits and maintained iconic status as the epitome of Hollywood glamour. In 1996, 52 years after making her screen debut, she was an Oscar nominee for her supporting role in Barbra Streisand’s “The Mirror Has Two Faces.” That sultry voice, sly sophistication and skill with sparring dialogue seem undiminished six decades into her career.

Born in New York City to a salesman and a secretary, Bacall was just another pretty girl with big aspirations after a year of acting classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She was supporting herself with odd jobs and modeling when she talked her way into the cast of a short-lived Broadway play. Soon after, a friend introduced her to Harper’s Bazaar editor Nicolas de Gunzburg at a nightclub and he arranged for her to meet Diana Vreeland the following day. Bacall’s sublimely photogenic face was soon appearing in the magazine on a regular basis. Hollywood came calling and after a single screen test, the inexperienced actress signed a seven-year contract with Howard Hawks. Though her ascent to star status seemed swift and assured, at first Bacall was anything but confident on camera. Indeed, she admits the smoldering gaze that became her trademark sprang from stage fright so severe she had to press her chin to her chest to keep from trembling when she spoke a line of dialogue.

In the 1950s, Bacall branched out from slinky roles in suspense films to lighter fare such as “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953) and “Designing Woman” (1957). Firmly established as a comedic talent, in 1965 Bacall took another leap by returning to the stage — this time in a starring role. Long runs in extremely popular productions such as “Cactus Flower” and “Applause” turned the Broadway stage into a second home for Bacall. Back on the big screen in acclaimed films such as “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974) and “The Shootist” (1976), Bacall performed with elegant distinction. Intriguing turns in memorable films such as “Misery” (1990) and “Dogville” (2003) have come often throughout the years.

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