Humphrey Bogart thought biggest film of his career was ‘ridiculous’ | Films | Entertainment

Director Michael Curtiz didn’t help the situation either, with the filmmaker already known for being difficult to work with. Alan K Rode notes the director’s “demonic work ethic approached savagery,” in Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film

Many major stars slammed the director’s work style, with James Cagney once saying: “Mike was a pompous b*****d who didn’t know how to treat actors, but he sure as hell knew how to treat a camera.” The star would win Best Actor for his from in the Curtiz-directed Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Olivia de Havilland also said: “Oh, I guess he was a villain but he was pretty good.” Bogart himself even exclaimed: “He can be a real son of a b***h to the bit players.”

Bogart and Curtiz even got into a fight during one of the film’s final scenes, as the star had become so frustrated with his filming style, all while the actor was excessively drinking.

Yet, Bogart was distracted on set with a more personal matter.