Humphrey Bogart Film Festival to Host World Premiere Screening of Warner Home Video’s “The Petrified Forest” Restoration

When Humphrey Bogart first came to Hollywood, he did not find success. Defeated, Bogart headed back to Broadway. Starring alongside Leslie Howard, Bogart wowed Broadway as Duke Mantee in Robert E. Sherwood’s 1935 stage play “The Petrified Forest.” When Hollywood wanted to make the movie version, Leslie Howard stated he would only participate if Humphrey Bogart was allowed to reprise the role of Duke Mantee on the big screen. Starring with Howard and Bette Davis, Bogart found his first Hollywood hit with “The Petrified Forest” (1936). A grateful Bogart never forgot the person who gave him his break, and in 1952, Bogie and Bacall named their daughter Leslie. Now, Warner Bros. has completed a restoration of “The Petrified Forest,” and that restoration will receive its world premiere at the Humphrey Bogart Film Festival in Key Largo on May 3. The film will be introduced by renowned film historian Leonard Maltin and Stephen Bogart, son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. “‘The Petrified Forest’ made my father a star, and I am thrilled that Warner Bros. has given the Humphrey Bogart Film Festival the first opportunity to share the restoration of this movie with my father’s fans,” said Stephen Bogart. Noted Ronnee Sass, Vice President, Publicity and Promotion, at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, “The Warner family will always remain fond of the Bogart family, and it seems fitting that the first annual Bogart Film Festival, a loving tribute to Stephen’s father, will host the premiere restoration of the first movie that brought Bogart to stardom.” You can visit www.bogartfilmfestival.com to learn more about the festival and to buy your tickets. “The Petrified Forest” is available for purchase via wbshop.com, shop.tcm.com and other participating retailers. “The Petrified Forest” is included in the May 21 Blu-ray release of the Ultimate Gangster Collection Classics, along with “The Public Enemy,” “Little Caesar,” “White Heat,” and a 32-page booklet with movie imagery and additional information about each film. ###