Bogart's only Oscar

Though a Hollywood legend with countless unforgettable films in his filmography, Humphrey Bogart was not often honored by Oscar - three nominations in his career, only one of which got him a win (though one of those losses is one of the greatest mistakes Oscar ever made). The film that got him the gold was The African Queen. The film was also nominated for Best Director (John Huston), Best Actress (Katharine Hepburn), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Rose Sayer (Hepburn) is a prudish British missionary, helping her brother bring God to the Congolese natives. Their only contact with the outside world is Charlie Allnut (Bogart), the captain (and entire crew) of the small boat that brings their supplies and mail. Shortly after Allnut informs them of the start of World War II, German soldiers show up, kill the brother, and burn the mission. Allnut takes Rose onto his ship, and she convinces him to help her sink the German boat that is holding a key position, blocking much of the water travel through central Africa.

This must have been a rather surprising role for Bogart to have taken at the time. It is one of the least glamorous roles he has ever played, a dirty, drunken bum, with little courage and less education, who has made a hermit of himself, drifting through the rivers of Africa so he won't have to try to make anything of himself. A scene in which Allnut gets drunk, crying and yelling in frustration that the woman he has taken into his boat out of pity is forcing him to take it down a difficult river and use it as a makeshift torpedo - a scene which could easily have been botched in the hands of a less capable actor - turns out to be one of the best scenes in the film, one which shows a vulnerability and cowardice not often seen from an actor known for playing tough guys. Hepburn is also astounding in this film, as her character inspires Bogart's to greatness while she herself learns a much-needed bit about humility. The story is thrilling, leading the characters through one challenge after another without ever seeming contrived or foolish. And even more interesting than the film itself is the story of its filming, done on location in Africa, which had even more adventures in store for the cast and crew than the story had for its characters.

Movie trivia question: The entire cast of this film got Oscar nominations for their performances, playing two married couples... both wives won, both husbands lost.