Here's looking at Peter

In "The Personality Kid" (#55), Peter seeks a new personality after being labeled "dull" at a party. Naturally, he emulates the tough, virile nuances of screen legend Humphrey Bogart.

How Peter became fixated on Bogart is a fascinating character study. Why not a modern day movie hero, like Steve McQueen or Robert Redford? Or even someone completely illogical, like Jesse James (#89)? Or how about his oldest brother, a notorious lothario and instant success at parties?

Not that Bogart wasn't worthy of Peter's imitation. Long before Peter and his brothers discovered the lost wallet on Sierra Avenue (#32), Humphrey Bogart had mastered the seas to discover The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. And can McQueen, Redford, Jesse James or even Johnny Bravo himself lay claim to as iconic a performance as Rick in Casablanca?

Perhaps Peter was drawn to Bogart's inimitable loner quality. After playing second fiddle to Greg and babysitter to Bobby, I'm sure he idealized the lifestyle set forth by one of Hollywood's leading men. Bogart needed no one, and he sure as Hell wouldn't have let Cindy tattle on him.

Though Peter ultimately became content with Peter (thank God, two more years would have been a little too much "porkchops and applesauce"), I can't help but think even more of him for respecting the great Bogie.

Peter wasn't confused about his identity. He was cool.

Comments

[Clare]

Once when I was working at Pottery Barn, I saw that someone had written "Porkchops and Applesauce" on one of those super-yuppie menu boards that was on display. As soon as I saw it, I was like, "Oh my God, is that a Brady Bunch reference?!" Several people had no idea what I was talking about, but I finally tracked down the manager who put up the display and found out that yes, it was intentional. Awesome.