The phrase "five o-clock shadow" never fails to bring to my mind the face of Humphrey Bogart.

I remember the first time I saw To Have and Have Not on late night television. I'd read the novel on which it was based (certainly not one of Papa's best) and was surprised how much better the film was. Rumor has it the film was the result of a boast by director Howard Hawks to Hemingway that he could make a successful film from his worst book. Of course I was a very young man when I saw the film so the testosterone laced account of Harry Morgan's involvement with the French Resistance after meeting Marie Browning (played by Lauren Bacall in her first film role) was bound to have its appeal, even without the family connection. They don't make many films like that anymore, but pens continue to be dipped in the testosterone that inspired them.

The stories and poems of FIVE O-CLOCK SHADOW were all written by men but, in spite of the title's implication, few of them would be suitable vehicles for Bogart. I think you will find the selection covers a broad spectrum of "having" and "having not" with shades of the testosterone gray scale suiting De Niro to DiCaprio. Do yourself a favor and read each one. And if you need anything at all, just whistle.

You know how to whistle, don't you? Just put your lips together. And blow.

© Ernie 'Junior' Hemingway 2004

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