The Man With Bogart's Face (1980)

In the 1970s, actor Robert Scacci gained fame for his uncanny resemblance to Humphrey Bogart. For a while, he was cast in all kinds of commercials and TV shows. And then someone had the idea to actually cast him in a movie playing - what else? - Bogart. Well, sort of. He doesn't actually portray him; he just plays a lookalike. That movie became The Man With Bogart's Face, released in 1980, and the running gag throughout the film was his resemblance to the iconic star.  Not only does Scacci have Borgart's face, but also his voice and mannerisms, and his wardrobe includes a 1940s-era trenchcoat.

And throughout the movie he's constantly referencing old movies and movie stars (and radio programs, too!).

The character even changes his name to "Sam Marlowe" and becomes a private eye!

The character of Sam Marlowe in this film sort of becomes Bogart in an unusual way that's oddly fascinating to watch. After awhile I forgot I was watching an impersonator and it felt as if Bogart was brought back to life in 1980.

The character's motives are not fully explained, but whatever they are, we get the point - he loves Bogart. Pop singer Michelle Phillips plays the love interest that Sam falls for. She looks just like Gene Tierney, which prompts Sam to say things like "she has the same face that tempted Tyrone Power in The Razor's Edge").

There are cameos from a number of Bogart contemporaries such as Mike Mazurky, Victor Sen-Young (from Across the Pacific), and Yvonne DeCarlo.  Henry Wilcoxian (age 75 at the time) plays a bookstore owner. My favorite is the cameo by George Raft, who has the best line in the film: "I've come across guys like this before".

It's a bit silly, and not a great movie, but it's fun to watch once. Filmed all around Los Angeles, it's largely forgotten today.  I liked the cameos and co-stars: Olivia Hussey, Pat Buono, Herbert Lom and Franco Nero.

I don't know what Gene Tierney or Lauren Bacall thought about this film at the time.

Robert Scacci is still living today. He hasn't been in anything notable in years.