A Tale of a Lancashire Lass

On the long haul south on US1 down the Keys to Keyadventure, spectacle, romance, weepies, mystery,
West, the best planned itinerary can suddenly bemurder and horror were all to be had at the local
thrown out of the window the moment you reach Keycinema. It just isn't the same on the video. Wrong scale
Largo.and no atmosphere.
Probably only a few British people had ever heard ofToday, as a respite from some of the more
the place until a certain film about a hurricane wasdemanding of Key Largo's many delights, you can join
made here in 1948. In fact, back in those far off daysthe Humphrey Bogart fans for a while to take a
before the film was released, not many Americansrelaxing boat ride, because alongside the Key Largo
could tell you where the place was either. Just for theHoliday Inn is the other star of that 1951 film The
record, the locals would probably dispute thatAfrican Queen. None less than that clattering tatty little
statement, and they say that only about three minutessteam launch which played a supporting role to the
of it were filmed locally anyway. Apparently as soonstars of the film, Humphrey Bogart and Katherine
as the actors and film crew experienced theHepburn. Built at Lytham St. Annes in 1912, then
voracious local insect life they decamped, bag anddismantled and shipped to East Africa, she was to
baggage, to a more congenial location.spend thirty nine years as a carry all on the rivers
The film, made here or not, became an internationalbetween Lake Albert and the Murchison Falls.
success and has remained a firm favourite with manyHer rise to fame came when she was found by a film
to this day. So much so that film buffs are still trying tocompany looking for just such a vessel. Thus the
find the location of the Key Largo Hotel whereLivingstone, as she was first named after the African
Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Edward G.explorer, became famous as The African Queen. Her
Robinson played out their roles in what was tooriginal steam engine had at some time been replaced
become the screen classic Key Largo. It could be thatby a diesel. This was given the heave ho by the film
the whole set was a lath and plaster job on a back lotcompany, and a suitable period steam engine was
in Hollywood.fitted.
Never mind there are many worthy attractions to beCast aside without a thought after her all too brief
found here. Such as the delightful John Pennekampmoment of glory in the film, she went back to being a
Coral Reef State Park, Kimbell's Caribbean Shipwreckworking girl, ferrying goods up and down the African
Museum, Dolphins Plus and Key Largo Undersea Park,rivers. Seventeen years later she was found by an
to list only a few. Also ignore for the moment the factAmerican movie buff, who bought her and shipped her
that it's a boating, fishing and diver's paradise. By theto the States. She changed hands again when a Key
way the profusion of flags fluttering in the breeze inLargo property owner Jim Hendriks bought her in 1982.
Key Largo isn't the national flag of the Conch Republic.Suitably renovated, she now plies her trade as a
The flags alert people to the fact that underwaterpassenger boat for visitors. Nip along for a ride in this
diving is taking place. Key Largo does, after all, claim tolass from Lancashire, the lass that helped old Bogey
be the diving capital of the world.win the only Oscar in his long career in the movie
For aficionados of the silver screen, normal prioritiesindustry. Ah yes, for Bogart and Bacall nostalgia try the
get the go by. "Yes, yes, I know dear. We'll visit thoseCaribbean Club Bar at Mile Marker 104. Some say a
tomorrow, or the day after. Right now there isfew feet of the film Key Largo were shot here.
something I just have to find." If you aren't a film fan,Others say it was a different bar that has since
just bear with the afflicted a little while who are justburned down.
reliving a part of long departed youth, when escapism,