Ernest Hemingway and Howard Hawks had a bet going that Hawks couldn't make a good film out of one of Hemingway's worst books. Hawks won the bet, although he sort of cheated by throwing out the bulk of the story. And it helps when you've got William Faulkner co-writing the screenplay.

To Have and Have Not was the first screen pairing of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (and Bacall's first film appearance). The chemistry they exhibit on the screen is electric even today. Hawks and co-star Walter Brennan do some of their best work here. For movie lovers, it all adds up to a very precious 100 minutes in front of the silver screen.