Page "Humphrey Bogart" Paragraph 70

In Sabrina, Billy Wilder, unable to secure Cary Grant, chose Bogart for the role of the older, conservative brother who competes with his younger playboy sibling ( William Holden ) for the affection of the Cinderella-like Sabrina ( Audrey Hepburn ).

Bogart was lukewarm about the part, but agreed to it on a handshake with Wilder, without a finished script, and with the director's assurances to take good care of Bogart during the filming.

But Bogart got on poorly with his director and co-stars.

He also complained about the script, which was written on a last-minute, daily basis, and that Wilder favored Hepburn and Holden on and off the set.

The main problem was that Wilder was the opposite of his ideal director, John Huston, in both style and personality.

Bogart told the press that Wilder was " overbearing " and " is the kind of Prussian German with a riding crop.

He is the type of director I don't like to work with ... the picture is a crock of crap.

I got sick and tired of who gets Sabrina.

" Wilder said, " We parted as enemies but finally made up.

" Despite the acrimony, the film was successful.

The New York Times said of Bogart, " he is incredibly adroit ... the skill with which this old rock-ribbed actor blend the gags and such duplicities with a manly manner of melting is one of the incalculable joys of the show.