Lauren Bacall: with that voice, that look, and above all that spirit, it's no wonder this legendary actress is so expert at making waves—and riding them. And as her performances in two daring, cult-ready new movies prove, she's not about to rest on her laurels

Interview, April, 2004 by Brad Goldfarb

BG: Clearly, you're someone who's not afraid to speak her mind.

LB: Oh, yes. I'm not supposed to do that, though. It's so annoying. And there's a lot of schmoozing in Hollywood. I mean, I can schmooze with the best of them, but I'm afraid my upbringing makes it difficult sometimes. Not only was my mother honest and believed in character and in telling the truth, but I married a man who was exactly the same. If anyone asked Bogie about whether he thought a movie was good or not, regardless of whether he was in it, he'd answer honestly. He could not lie, and I'm the same. So I think the only way for me is to try to be in independent movies, which I prefer. They're not breaking down the doors, you understand, but I have been getting offers.

BG: The interesting thing is that when you've hit quiet periods in your career, you seem to take matters into your own hands. For example, you change locations, you move from film to the theater, you write a book.

LB: Well, because I'm not a sedentary human being, and in a way it's kept me going. It keeps you doing other things so you can function and use your mind and body as best you can. It's more complicated as you get older, but still, you can do it. And damn it, as long as I can do it, I sure as hell am going to.

BG: My last question: Have you had the career that you imagined for yourself, when you were a girl in New York dreaming of--

LB: -- A white Christmas? [laughs] Well, you know, I envisioned myself as making it on the stage, and I never thought of myself in terms of domesticity. I never imagined that I would meet anyone like Bogie and marry him and have children. And obviously, the minute I fell in love with him that's all I wanted. Then, of course, after we were married I wanted more. But I was a kid. I was 19 when I met him, so I mean, what the hell? How much did I know? And I was really innocent.

BG: It's pretty extraordinary to discover that so young, or at all.

LB: Absolutely. I was insanely lucky. Although I beef about a lot of things in my life, I think I've been extremely lucky. And even lucky to have married Jason Robards after Bogie--you know, after having such a great marriage and then having a not-so-great one. But still, he was a terrific man. He had his problems, which was what killed our marriage, but aside from that he was a worthwhile human being. And we have a son who's an extraordinary man in his own right. So I think I'm damn lucky. I'm lucky that my kids are all straight, that they haven't ended up in jail, that they're all worthwhile human beings, thank God. Their lives are happy; they have happy partners, wives, husbands. And they all get along with each other. I think it's a miracle when all of that happens. See, my mother wanted me to have more than she had, and I wanted the same for my kids. So I don't envision anything for the future, and I never really have. [laughs] I just hope good things keep coming.

Brad Goldfarb is Interview's executive editor.