Q & A with Lauren Bacall


Posted on Dec 10, 2008
By Glenn Close

Comments(8)


Lauren and Sophie
It's a supremely daunting challenge to write an introduction to a woman who has been declared one of the American Film Institute's top 25 film legends of the century. So I'm not even going to try. In this era of sound bytes, spin and packaging, Lauren Bacall defies categorization. She is feline and ferocious, bawdy, beautiful and brilliant. She is my neighbor and friend, who happens to be totally in the thrall of her spectacular Papillion, Sophie. When I approached Ms. Bacall about doing a profile of her and Sophie, she told me that she wanted to be interviewed in person and invited me to her home in the venerable Dakota on New York's Central Park West, where I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon with Sophie and her handmaiden, Lauren Bacall - surrounded by extraordinary art and artifacts, pictures of family and friends and evidence everywhere of an amazing life and career. It is an afternoon I will never forget. As fall starts creeping into the trees around Sheep Meadow, the Great Lawn and down the paths of Strawberry Fields, we are planning to walk our dogs together in the park. Or should I say they are planning to walk us.


Lauren and Sophie

Glenn Close: When and how did you become a dog lover?
LB: I was always a dog yearner. I didn't have a dog growing up in the city with a working mother. As an only child, I yearned for someone to talk to. When I was sixteen, we got a champagne-colored Cocker Spaniel and named him "Droopy". He was very male. From the first moment, he was very possessive of me. All my dogs have been possessive of me. We eventually mated Droopy and kept one of his girl puppies---Puddle. I went to Los Angeles for a screen test when I was eighteen years old. My mother followed me out later. The dogs came, too.

In LA, Droopy was killed by a hit-and-run driver. There was a place in the valley where a nutty woman had a funeral parlor for dogs. I went to pay my last respects to Droopy. All the dogs were there in open caskets. Droopy was resting his head and paws on a pillow. It was terrible.


Bogey and I had Boxers. We were married on Louis Bromfield's farm in Ohio. Louis had Boxers that would fight under the table at dinner. He gave us a week old Boxer puppy for a wedding present. We named him Harvey, after the invisible rabbit. Harvey was really smart. He knew he wasn't allowed to get on the furniture so he would only put two paws on at a time. He would sit between us if we had a fight. Harvey died six months after Bogey. I went to see him at the vet's and said goodbye. Five minutes after I got home, I was told that after I left, Harvey had eaten his dinner and died.




GC: I know that you are devoted to your Papillion, Sophie. If she were a human, what kind of car would she drive?
LB: A Mercedes coupe. A perfect two-seater: one seat for her and one for me.

GC: What would be the title for Sophie's autobiography?


Sophie as a pup

LB: Me!

GC: What is Sophie's pet peeve about you?
LB: She doesn't like it when I'm on the phone. She doesn't like to be made to leave the boudoir when she is all curled up. She doesn't like it when I don't get out of bed when she wants me to.

GC: What is your pet peeve about Sophie?
LB: She dictates. I'm her slave. She barks when I'm on the phone. She doesn't like it when my back is to her.






Lauren and Sophie

GC: What musical instrument would Sophie play if she could?
LB: A trumpet.

GC: What does Sophie think about cats?
LB: She doesn't like other animals, especially white dogs. She barks at every dog in the street. Every dog that sees her wants to kill her---Labs, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds. They think she is a snack.

GC: What excites Sophie the most?
LB: A diversion, like when my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren come over.

Also, she has a stuffed Shar Pei that she humps. After she goes for a walk, she runs into the bedroom and humps her Shar Pei. Then she has a long barking conversation with it.

She has her own chair with a cashmere throw on it. She always has to rest her head on a pillow or a stuffed animal. She loves soft toys. Her first love is her Shar Pei but she also has a soft pig, and some bears.

She loves the country. She will sit for hours at a drainpipe waiting for a chipmunk to come out. She also loves chasing squirrels.


Video: Join Glenn Close in Lauren Bacall's apartment to meet her beloved Papillon, Sophie.

GC: What is your favorite thing to do with Sophie?
LB: Snuggle. In the morning I have breakfast in the kitchen and I pick her up and hold her and her little body warms my chest and makes me feel so good. (Actually, she'd much rather be on a man's lap than a woman's.) She knows life is all about her. She's spoiled.

Sophie on the horse


GC: What would be Sophie's favorite movie?
LB: Well...she doesn't watch television, but I think she would like Now Voyager. She would appreciate Bette Davis. She would be attuned to the hallowed moments.

GC: What is it about you that makes Sophie most proud?
LB: When she's just had her bath and looks beautiful and when she behaves well. But I still wouldn't want to cross her. I'm afraid of her!
GC: Where does your dog sleep?
LB: With me, but she has her own side of the bed where all her toys are. If she is on the chaise, she'll hop over onto the bed.

GC: Where is Sophie's favorite spot at home?
LB: She has her own bed, but she also loves getting on my bed and leaning against the pillows, one ear up and one ear down.

GC: Does Sophie like to dress up?
LB: NO! No diamond necklaces! No gold chains.

GC: Does Sophie have a special talent?
LB: No. She's not a trick dog. But she is an attention-getter. People on the street always notice her.




GC: If Sophie were a famous person, who would she be?
LB: Eleanor Duse. She has that theatrical something about her.

GC: Is there a secret about you that only Sophie knows?
LB: Many that I only share with her because I can trust her. She'll never repeat them.

GC: What is Sophie's idea of perfect happiness?
LB: To be in a gondola with me in Venice. Just as long as we're together.

GC: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
LB:  When there is no one in the house and the phone stops ringing. (Of course, if it stopped altogether, I'd panic.) Happiness? I've tried the two-legged ones, and the four-legged ones win.

















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Comments
Mrs. Close, I know you feel very strongly about rescue and adoption, so I truly think you should only feature "celebrities" who have adopted their pets or, at worst, "admit their error" in not adopting and say something to the effect of, "from now on, with so many dogs getting euthanized every day, I'll only adopt in the future" To read about Miss Bacall's "breeding of her dog" albeit long ago, and not a word said about her current dog, who I can only assume was bought... I just think you can use this forum to better educate people to understand not to breed or buy, while shelter dogs die... thanks for your consideration
Posted By Mickey
on Dec 10, 2008
Mrs. Close, I admire your work promoting adoption and rescue, which is why reading this interview w/ Ms. Bacall is so upsetting to me; first she discusses "mating" one of her dogs, albeit a long time ago, and then there is no mention from where her Pappilion came from- I assume it was bought- I strongly suggest that with so many dogs living and, worse, dying every day in shelters that you take it upon yourself to only feature "celebrities" who have adopted their pets, or at worst, purchased their dog(s) some time ago, but now realize the mistake and offer something like, "I love my dog, but will only adopt from now on."
Posted By Mickey
on Dec 11, 2008
The pony's name is Nick Nack.
Posted By Maevefiona
on Dec 15, 2008
What a wonderful interview. I love Papillions...all dogs actually. Our rescue Bo was pining for lovely Sophie when he finally figured out where the noise was coming from. He is a papillion as well but dear Sophie is elegant whereas he is a bit rough and tumble looking. Thank you again ladies for a delightful interview. Sincerely, Diane, Bill and Bo Jangles
Posted By Diane
on Dec 29, 2008
I am always surprized at how entitled people become when invited to speak to others about popular topics. Good thing you are not under any obligation follow everyone's suggestions! I think many have reached the politically correct decision to adopt, maybe at a later point in their lives, but they are there and that is what is important. Good thing those that feel the need to comment on how long it took some of us have never done anything wrong or inappropriate. Thanks for your wonderful site. Just a thankful, thoughtful old hippie. Happy New Year. Saryjane
Posted By Sara
on Dec 31, 2008
What a great interview. Growing up we had a papillion named "cookie". She was a wonderful, loving dog. She passed away when she was 21..... So we were lucky to have her for so long.... I have an idea and would love some feedback if poosible. In these hard times, some people are having a hard time feeding their animals and shelters are becoming overcrowded. Since we have people food banks, couldn't we also have animal food banks? It would do 2 things. Keep animals with their families and relieve some of the burden on animal shelters. If anyone has any ideas as to how I would start this endeavor I would love to hear from you...
Posted By norma
on Jan 5, 2009
I think it was a wonderful interview. As with all good interviews, I learned something new about the subject. In this case it confirmed by admiration for Lauren (Betty) Bacall. Ms. Bacall's love of Sophie, Droopy, Puddle reveals a side of her that I can connect to. If I met her, I would love to talk about Bogie, who I adore, but what else could I say to her about him other than that he is a favorite of mine. However, if I saw Lauren on the street with Sophie, we could converse about Sophie and other dogs forever. It doesn't matter to me where Sophie came from. I'm just glad she and Lauren found each other.
Posted By Gayle
on Feb 15, 2009
In response to Norma about a dog food bank. What a great idea!! But in between the time we can all get together and get one started we can always donate food to our loal animal control and any shelters. Money is always tight in these organization and most all donations are welcomed. The idea of a food bank for animals is great!!. My first comment on line and I love this site. The interviews are great. Thanks Edna
Posted By Edna
on Mar 12, 2009
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Welcome to LIVELY LICKS: Profiles of Dogs and their People.
I hope that you will be entertained, comforted and inspired by the people and dogs that I have the privilege of featuring on this blog. Since starting it over a year and a half ago, it has pulled me into an incredible journey. Besides being able to celebrate some of my wonderful friends and the profound bond they have with their dogs, LIVELY LICKS has introduced me to the world of avalanche dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, service dogs for our wounded warriors and dogs in need of rescue and adoption. I have been inspired by the selfless dedication of the people who run grassroots shelters as well as urban care and control centers. I have been deeply moved by their stories in which dogs heal and empower their humans. Those of us who have dogs, know how much they enhance our quality of life with their unquestioning loyalty and unconditional love. There are an infinite number of stories to tell, so I hope you will stay with me as I continue to explore and discover and delight in the journey.