The Man with Bogart's Face (1980)

A man with a fixation on Humphrey Bogart gets plastic surgery to make him look exactly like Bogart. Then he changes his name to Sam Marlowe (after Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe, two of ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Day

Writers:

Andrew J. Fenady (novel), Andrew J. Fenady (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Sacchi, Franco Nero, Michelle Phillips

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Sacchi	...	Sam Marlow
Franco Nero	...	Hakim
Michelle Phillips	...	Gena
Olivia Hussey	...	Elsa
Misty Rowe	...	Duchess
Victor Buono	...	Commodore Anastas
Herbert Lom	...	Mr. Zebra
Sybil Danning	...	Cynthia
Richard Bakalyan	...	Lt. Bumbera (as Dick Bakalyan)
Gregg Palmer	...	Sgt. Hacksaw
Jay Robinson	...	Wolf / Zinderneuf
George Raft	...	Petey Cane
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Teresa Anastas
Mike Mazurki	...	Himself
Henry Wilcoxon	...	Mr. Chevalier

Storyline

A man with a fixation on Humphrey Bogart gets plastic surgery to make him look exactly like Bogart. Then he changes his name to Sam Marlowe (after Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe, two of Bogart's most famous characters), hires a ditzy blonde secretary, and opens up a detective agency. His first case is one that would do Bogie proud...

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Plot Keywords:

reference to john wayne | belly dancer | hollywood | belly dance | based on novel

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Taglines:

He's cool under pressure and sophisticated between the sheets [Video]

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1980 (France)

Also Known As:

A lo loco y con la cara del otro

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Melvin Simon Productions, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Sacchi has impersonated Humphrey Bogart in television commercials selling a variety of products ranging from cars to razor blades. Sacchi's first Bogie TV commercial was for selling raincoats and made during the 1960s.

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Quotes

Sam Marlow: Duchess was built like Marilyn Monroe... and made as much sense as Gracie Allen.

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Connections

References Hondo (1953)

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Soundtracks

"The Man with Bogart's Face"
Music by George Duning
Lyrics by Andrew J. Fenady
Sung by Armando Compean (as Armando Compeán) during the opening credits

User Reviews

"Did anyone tell you look like…"

Welcome to a memory trip down nostalgic lane, as "The Man with Bogart's Face" is a neat, affable little homage to a Hollywood legend. It's a typical throwback to those hardboiled crime dramas Bogart appeared in, but set in modern times and the notable gimmick (Robert Sacchi's private eye getting plastic surgery to look like Bogart) is well implemented. It's a one-idea concept (the usual free-flowing narration), but it's old fashion story-telling, dry, razor sharp humour, tightly drummed mystery / suspense and voluptuous dames (Michelle Phillips, Misty Rowe and Sybil Danning) go on to make an appealing package. While in a way you can call it a spoof, it doesn't over do it and does everything in a rather low-key and witty manner. Robert Sacchi simply fit's the part and truly embodies the spirit --- as he spends most of the time decked out in that hat and trench coat, putting on the voice and he always has something to say. Also popping up is Olivia Hussey, Frank Nero (whose character has strange fascination for the colour blue), Victor Buono, Herbert Lom and Yvonne De Carlo. The thoroughly plotted story has a whole bunch of random investigations that eventually come together (the search for the Eyes of Alexandria - two sapphires), as once a struggling private-eye Sam Barlow finds himself being showered in clients, money and danger. He's constantly in someone's sights - for good (the ladies) or bad (hooded hoodlums). Also the script manages to throw around plenty of movie references and that's part of its self-knowing charm. It's well-crafted by director Robert Day and the funky opening theme is quite a catchy title.