This was the first pairing of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, who went on to have their own storybook romance.Ship captain Harry (Humphrey Bogart) is quite happy to take rich jackasses fishing off the coast of Martinique but he finds himself drawn into the war effort despite himself when a friend (Marcel Dalio) asks him to smuggle a pair of Free French revolutionaries onto the island. Harry finally agrees, partly to thumb his nose at the unctuous Vichy representative (Dan Seymour), and partly to help beautiful pickpocket Marie (Lauren Bacall) get back to America.
This feels very much like Casablanca and is almost as famous, if only for the exchange between Bogey and Bacall about whistling. If you're at all interested in films from the 40's, this is a stunning example.
There is an accompanying cartoon from Merrie Melodies in the special features called "A Bacall to Arms" which spoofs the film and the times in which it was made. I didn't check out any of the others because I'd already made up my mind to acquire this and complete my Bogey-Bacall collection.
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