Top 10 Films: Lauren Bacall
- Lindsay Blenkarn
- Nov 11, 2025
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 9
Lauren Bacall was the most sultry and independent of classic screen sirens. She was a star from the moment she stepped on screen, rocketing to fame after her very first movie role. Dubbed “The Look” because of her seductive stare, she immediately became known as one of the few actresses capable of holding her own opposite even the toughest of Hollywood's leading men.
One leading man, in particular, became her greatest screen partner, as well as her greatest love: the king of film noir, Humphrey Bogart. Their relationship—onscreen and off—was one of Hollywood’s greatest love stories.
But Lauren Bacall’s story doesn’t begin and end with Bogie. This brash leading lady also starred in a wide variety of films on her own, including dramas, adventures, comedies, and even melodramatic romances. She also conquered Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her lead role in the musical Applause.
She remained active in Hollywood right up until her death at the age of 89, appearing in films such as Dogville, as well as lending her distinctive husky voice to animated films like Howl’s Moving Castle. And although her trademark stare was originally borne out of nerves (holding her head down was the only way to stop herself from shaking), to see Lauren Bacall onscreen, you’d never suspect that anything could rattle this intelligent and enduring bombshell. But which Lauren Bacall movies still remain the most popular in 2025...??
10. North west Frontier (1959)
Also known by its American title (Flame Over India), North West Frontier might best be described as a British Western. Taking that even further, it actually shares some similarities with the classic Western film, Stagecoach. This might be more than coincidence, considering that the film was co-written by Patrick Ford (the son of Stagecoach's legendary director, John Ford).
Set in the early 1900s, North West Frontier takes place in British India's North West Frontier Province — what is now modern Pakistan. When a Muslim uprising threatens the life of a young Hindu prince, Captain Scott of the British Army (Kenneth More) is entrusted with taking the boy to safety in faraway Kalapur. The child’s American governess, Catherine Wyatt (Lauren Bacall), also insists on coming along, as do a host of eclectic civilian characters, each with their own specific reasons. The only way for this group to make the treacherous journey is by train, but the only one available is an old derelict locomotive called the Empress of India, maintained by its loving driver, Gupta.
North West Frontier features some very impressive battle and adventure scenes, but it also manages to remember its characters along the way (very refreshing for an adventure flick). Bacall gives a strong performance as the elegant and stubborn Catherine Wyatt and she’s bolstered by the presence of a number of great British character actors, including Wilfrid Hyde-White (whom American audiences will likely recognize from his role as Colonel Pickering in the film My Fair Lady).
9. The Shootist (1976)
Based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, The Shootist stars Lauren Bacall opposite John Wayne in Wayne’s very last onscreen appearance. Set in the 1900s, the film tells the story of J.B. Books (Wayne), a legendary gunfighter in his twilight years who has recently been given a terminal cancer diagnosis. To get a second opinion, Books travels to Carson City, NV to visit his old friend Doc Hostetler (Jimmy Stewart). Unfortunately, Doc can only confirm the original diagnosis. He prescribes laudanum to help ease Books’ pain as the cancer progresses but, there is nothing else he can do. So, Books decides to stay in Carson City and books a room at the local boarding house, run by Bond Rogers (Bacall) and her son, Gillom (Ron Howard). Gillom idolizes the famous gunfighter instantly but, it takes Bond a bit longer to warm up to Books’ presence. But, it soon becomes clear to everyone that this old gunfighter has no real intention of dying a slow death from cancer.
Co-written by the original novelist’s son, Miles Hood Swarthout, The Shootist ended up mirroring the real-life cancer struggles of its lead actor, John Wayne. Wayne would die from cancer only 3 years later (though his cancer was, actually, in remission during the time of shooting). The film serves as not only a fitting tribute to Wayne’s onscreen legacy but, also, the Western genre, in general. Even Lauren's character name, Bond Rogers, is a reference to Western actor Ward Bond, who was most famous for starring in the TV series Wagon Train. Ward Bond had passed away many years earlier and was, actually, a very close friend of John Wayne’s (Wayne even gave the eulogy at his funeral).
The Shootist features a number of Wayne’s former co-stars, including Lauren, who had previously starred opposite Wayne in the film Blood Alley 20 years earlier. Bacall was, actually, cast in the role of Bond at the express request of Wayne. He had really enjoyed working with her during Blood Alley and had always wanted the chance to finally work with her again.
8. Young Man with a Horn (1950)
Directed by Michael Curtiz, Young Man with a Horn is based on the novel of the same name by Dorothy Baker. The story was partially inspired by the life of Bix Beiderbecke (rhymes with "spider beck"), a pioneering jazz cornetist. The film, also, reunited Lauren Bacall with her former schoolmate Kirk Douglas (the two had attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts together).
Douglas stars as Rick Martin, a lifelong trumpet player mentored by respected jazzman, Art Hazzard (Juano Hernandez). Ever since he was a small boy, Rick has lived for playing the trumpet. But, when he falls in love with the aloof and independent Amy North (Bacall), Rick’s life, music, and philosophy get turned upside down.
Lauren is extremely memorable as Amy, but the film truly belongs to Kirk Douglas, who pours his heart and soul into Rick. However, it’s Juano Hernandez who gives this film its heart, with a warm and heartbreaking performance as Rick’s beloved mentor. Young Man with a Horn's initial success at the box office was bolstered tremendously by its jazz soundtrack. The soundtrack album even hit #1 on the Billboard charts that year. If you're a jazz fan, this is probably the Bacall movie for you 'cause you'll likely be drooling over the soundtrack within the first twenty minutes.
7. Dark Passage (1947)
The third of Bogie and Bacall's pairings, Dark Passage is probably the most overtly romantic of their four movies together, showing a softer side of the Bogart/Bacall dynamic. Based on David Goodis' novel, The Dark Road, the film stars Bogie as Vincent Parry, a man wrongly convicted of murder who has escaped from prison, but now must prove his innocence before the authorities close in on his whereabouts.
Lauren Bacall plays Irene Jansen, a woman who takes pity on Vincent’s plight due to her late father’s own wrongful conviction. With Irene’s help, Vincent has a better chance at evading capture, but how long can he possibly stay hidden when his face is plastered across every newspaper in the city?
Filmed on location in San Francisco, Dark Passage is a particularly unique film in that Bogart’s face remains hidden out of frame for half of the movie. This unusual technique is achieved by shooting a good portion of the film from Vincent’s point-of-view (called the subjective camera). It's a pretty impressive undertaking, considering that the modern “Steadicam” hadn’t even been invented yet. Probably the best thing about the use of the subjective camera in this film is that it provides a great showcase for Bogie’s co-stars and they all live up to the task. Both Lauren Bacall and Agnes Moorehead give memorable performances, as do a number of skilled character actors. Though more understated than some of Bacall's other movies, if you like quiet character pieces, Dark Passage is definitely the one for you.
6. Key Largo (1948)
Adapted from Maxwell Anderson's stage play, this claustrophobic film was the fourth and final movie Lauren Bacall made opposite her husband, Humphrey Bogart. The film features an incredible cast of A-listers, including not only Bogie and Bacall, but Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore, and Claire Trevor (who won an Oscar for her performance).
Playing against type, Lauren appears as a more fragile character this time around, that of vulnerable widow, Nora Temple. Bogie plays the role of Frank McCloud, the commanding officer of Nora’s late husband, George. Partly out of guilt over George’s death during the war, Frank has come to Key Largo to visit Nora, as well as George’s wheelchair-bound father (Barrymore). Nora and her father-in-law run a small rundown hotel on the island, but Frank’s arrival actually coincides with the hotel’s off-season. However, a strange group of men have paid extra to keep the hotel open for their private use. It doesn’t seem that suspicious until one of the local policemen goes missing. It turns out that the men at the hotel are gangsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco (Robinson). With a hurricane looming, Rocco and company keep Frank and the others hostage while they're all forced to wait out the storm. Trapped together in the rickety hotel, tensions continue to rise and there’s no telling who will blink first.
Immensely different from the original stage production, Key Largo is still a pretty solid drama. Directed by the legendary John Huston, the film took only 78 days to shoot and, interestingly enough, the film’s final confrontation was actually based on the original book ending of another one of Bacall’s films: To Have and Have Not.
5. Written on the Wind (1956)
Directed by Douglas Sirk, Written on the Wind is frequently considered a masterpiece of 1950s melodrama. Somewhat of a precursor to TV shows like Dynasty, this glossy and stylized movie is based on the book of the same name by Robert Wilder. The book is actually a thinly-veiled account of a real scandal involving 1930s torch singer Libby Holman and her tobacco-heir husband, Zachary Smith Reynolds.
In the film, Lauren Bacall plays Lucy (Libby's equivalent), a woman pursued by two best friends: one rich and one poor. Lucy quickly falls for the "rich one", Kyle (Robert Stack), the privileged son of an oil baron. The couple enjoy a whirlwind courtship and are soon married, much to the consternation of Mitch (Rock Hudson), Kyle’s hard-working best friend (and the aforementioned “poor one”). Mitch was hoping to pursue a relationship with Lucy before Kyle latched on to her, but instead he's left to spurn the advances of Kyle’s snarky little sister, Marylee (played by an Oscar-winning Dorothy Malone). After a year of peaceful and happy matrimony for Kyle and Lucy, something suddenly changes between them. Seemingly out of nowhere, Kyle’s former alcoholic tendencies begin to resurface with Lucy having no idea why. As Kyle begins to sink further and further into an alcoholic depression, he threatens to destroy, not only himself, but everyone that he holds dear.
4. How To Marry A Millionaire (1953)
Inspired by a creative mixture of the plays, The Greeks Had A Word For It by Zoe Akins and Loco by Dale Eunson & Katherine Albert, How To Marry a Millionaire follows the exploits of Schatze (Lauren Bacall), Loco (Betty Grable), and Pola (Marilyn Monroe), three friends who buy a luxurious penthouse apartment they can barely afford in order to attract successful businessmen. Specifically, these girls are fishing for millionaires. But, as the girls chase their dream of marrying millionaires, they each eventually have to decide whether money really matters more to them than love.
The first movie ever filmed in widescreen Cinemascope — but the second to be released —How To Marry a Millionaire’s unusual full-blown orchestral opening was designed as an introduction to the new widescreen format. Viewed now, the performance frankly lasts a little bit longer than it should, but it's worth it for the adorable comedy that follows.
While Marilyn Monroe may be the actor most people associate with this light-hearted comedy, make no mistake, this is very much Lauren Bacall's movie.
Bacall's more grounded role as Schatze can get a little overshadowed by the showier antics of her blonde co-stars but, she is still very much the intelligent leader of these three gold diggers, playing a perfect straight man who still possesses a biting wit of her own. Genuinely, there is plenty here for Bacall, Grable, and Monroe fans to enjoy. How To Marry a Millionaire is really just a hilarious romp featuring three charismatic stars at the peak of their talents. If you’re a fan of any of this movie's leading ladies, there’s really no excuse to miss it.
3. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Based on the classic Agatha Christie novel of the same name, this elegant whodunit is often remembered as the ultimate ensemble piece (with good reason). The movie features an almost unheard of collection of 1970s A-list stars including Michael York, Sean Connery, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, John Gielgud, Richard Widmark, and of course, Lauren Bacall.
Set in the 1930s, the film’s plot centers around the murder of a successful business tycoon, which takes place while he's traveling on the famed Orient Express. Now, fellow passenger and master detective Hercule Poirot must solve the murder before the train reaches its destination and his suspects disperse. However, that suspect list grows longer when the murdered business tycoon is exposed as a murderer, himself.
Director Sidney Lumet does a fine job filling this passenger train with a load of genuinely suspicious-looking characters and everyone in the ensemble cast gives an exceptional performance. Albert Finney, who was only 38 at the time, disappears into his role as the 50-year-old Poirot. Lauren Bacall is at her witty and sophisticated best as the motor-mouthed socialite Mrs. Harriet Hubbard, who might be hiding more than her talkative nature implies. But, it's Ingrid Bergman’s performance as the timid Greta that deserves particular praise, winning her an Academy Award for playing one of the smallest parts in the film. Released while Agatha Christie was still living, this stylish movie is said to be the only adaptation of her work that she approved of, and that's no small praise coming from the mistress of mystery, herself.
2. The Big Sleep (1946)
Directed by Howard Hawks and based on the Raymond Chandler novel of the same name, The Big Sleep is known for its absurdly convoluted plot. The film once again pairs Lauren Bacall with Humphrey Bogart so, the real attraction of the film is simply watching their interactions, which are chock full of sexual tension and double entendres.
The actual story revolves around detective Phillip Marlowe (Bogart) as he's hired by the wealthy Sternwood family on a routine investigation of the youngest daughter’s gambling debts. The family’s eldest daughter, Vivian (Bacall), also inquires about the mysterious disappearance of a trusted family friend. All of this seems fairly routine to Marlowe, until this standard case unexpectedly turns into a murder investigation.
Originally made in 1945, The Big Sleep was actually withheld from release for a year to make way for last minute wartime dramas to hit theaters before WWII ended. Partly due to the extra time, almost half the film was re-edited and reshot before it was finally released. Most of the edits revolved around better showcasing the chemistry of Bacall and Bogie and that plan certainly succeeded. Be aware, you may need a notepad if you actually want to fully understand the plot of this film (the sheer number of characters alone is enough to make your head spin). But luckily, The Big Sleep is one of those movies that even if you don’t understand entirely where it’s going, you’ll still enjoy the ride.
1. To Have and Have Not (1944)
Without needing to exaggerate, To Have and Have Not is the movie that single-handedly changed Lauren Bacall's life and career. Not only was it her film debut, it’s also the movie that introduced her to the love of her life, Humphrey Bogart. Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, the story and characters were drastically changed in this film adaptation.
The most notable difference is the change in setting (so as not to upset FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy). Rather than Cuba, To Have and Have Not takes place in Fort de France, Martinique, shortly after the fall of France. Bogart stars as Harry Morgan, a fishing captain reluctantly enlisted by the French Resistance to smuggle fugitives onto the island. Lauren Bacall plays Marie “Slim” Browning, an American pickpocket stranded on the island due to a lack of funds. Of course, Slim and Harry soon start a romance and the sizzling chemistry of these two stars is the real reason to watch this film.
Bacall's role of Slim was partially based on director Howard Hawks’ wife (also, called Slim), who actually had a hand in bringing Lauren Bacall to her husband’s attention in the first place (she saw Lauren’s picture on the cover of Harper's Bazaar and suggested that Hawks screen test her). Despite being only 19-years-old, Lauren Bacall exudes a world-weary confidence as the smoky and mysterious Slim, immediately establishing her distinctive screen persona in her very first scene. In fact, her old soul quality makes the sizable age difference between her and Bogie (who was 45 at the time) almost imperceptible. In short, To Have and Have Not is a well-written drama with smart and memorable dialogue, but it also offers the rare opportunity to witness two actors actually fall in love on-camera.
Honorable Mention:
Designing Woman (1957)
For my honorable mention, I decided to choose this light romantic comedy directed by the legendary Vincente Minnelli. Designing Woman is a refreshing change of pace from the more serious fare Lauren Bacall is best known for. She plays the role of Marilla Brown, a successful fashion designer who meets sportswriter Mike Hagen (Gregory Peck) while vacationing in California. The two hit it off right away and are married before the vacation is even over. But when the newlyweds head back to their mutual hometown of New York City, they slowly begin to realize how little they actually know about each other. And they soon discover that their lives run on very different tracks.
Offscreen, Bacall was going through the difficult struggle of witnessing her husband Humphrey Bogart’s losing battle with throat cancer, but shooting Designing Woman proved to be a blessing for her psyche. Working on this charming, witty comedy was just what the doctor ordered and it did much to lift her spirits (and it remained one of her personal favorites of her filmography). Honestly, it’s hard not to love this fast-paced and light-hearted film. The chemistry between Peck and Bacall is irresistible and it’s really a shame the two didn’t pair up more often.
To see this list on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/z8a24$HTP7UCqqeHTBvLvd
Which Lauren Bacall Movie Is Your Favorite?
To Have and Have Not
Designing Woman
How To Marry a Millionaire
North West Frontier
Comments