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• 1 2015-04-20T11:16:24-07:00 Image in the Immediate Aftermath of Celebrity Death 3 text 2015-04-20T21:41:42-07:00 In March 1957, two months after Humphrey Bogart’s death, Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper conducted a lengthy interview with Lauren Bacall at the couple’s home. At the time, Bacall’s latest film, Designing Woman, was set to be released, and the interview served as both a publicity campaign and a human interest story about a recent widow. Hopper’s first questions were strictly business, and mainly revolved around Bacall’s upcoming trip to various cities around the country. In response to an inquiry about her publicity schedule, the actress insisted:

  A: “[I will do] no TV whatever in any way, shape, or form. I absolutely won’t do it. I don’t see why an actor should do it for nothing to plug a picture – they end up competing with themselves. Look down the list of people who’ve been stars for a long time – the public paid to see them. If you can sit home and look at Gary Cooper – who’s going out to see him – it dissipates a star’s position. I suppose Gary figures he’s been in the business long enough it doesn’t matter – and there’s not going to be anyone to replace him either. TV is here to stay and part of entertainment world now – but you must choose your spots. The minute you’re not in demand in pictures it doesn’t do any good anywhere. Why should anyone go on Ed Sullivan’s show for nothing – or stand in the audience and take a bow? The first time I was on TV was on Sullivan’s show – I did ‘Casey at the Bat’. Sullivan doesn’t rehearse and you’re on your own – acting is by business and I can’t sell myself to anyone if I do things for nothing.”