Bacall

The most successful film adaptations of Chandler’s work — Hawks’ “The Big Sleep,” which showcased the electric chemistry between Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and Robert Altman’s “The Long Goodbye,” indelibly starring Elliott Gould as Marlowe — are marked not just by dense plots but also by a wry sense of humor.

Ferguson frames Bogart’s personal life through the women in his life, his indomitable mother Maud, an illustrator and suffragette who supported the family, as well as his wives Helen Menken, Mary Philip, Mayo Methot and of course, Lauren Bacall, all of whom contributed to his career.

Bacall’s memories about their relationship on-screen and off are the most poignant in the film.

“Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes” also features interviews with Bogart and Bacall’s son, Stephen Bogart, an executive producer of the film, who spoke with Salon about Bogie, Bacall and this new documentary.

You mother, Lauren Bacall, says in the film that she based her career around him.