Since this was filmed during the war I've heard that most of the actors in the singing scene were actually refugees and were emotional about singing the French anthem
There were actually only three native Americans in the cast: "Rick", "Sam" and the young Bulgarian wife. A very international cast, many of whom were European refugees.
I first saw this film when I was a teenager in the 1970s. Before those stupid 'infomercials' were invented, old films were what TV stations showed in the middle of the night. My grandmother was still alive then, and explained the greater political background about Rick's attitude. "..ran guns to Ethiopia..", fighting Mussolini's attempt to re-colonize the country. The fascists won. "..fought in Spain for the Loyalist side..", against Franco's fascists. Fascists won again. Rick was still a 'good guy', he was just tired of it all. Especially after that girl in France broke his heart. Gran'ma said, "Welcome back to the fight..I know this time, we'll win." was her favorite line in the movie. She reminded me that the thing came out before WW2 was over, and nobody knew what would happen.
The bottle Louis throw away was Vichy Water (famous mineral water). Vichy France was the French country that collaborated with Nazi Germany between 1940-44. So yes, it’s very symbolic. Sidenote: in Sweden, all sparkling mineral water was called vishyvatten (Vishy water) up til the 80s.
After the fall of Paris when France capitulated, the Germans installed a puppet government known as Vichy France. Because the Germans could not occupy all of France as well as French holdings abroad such as Casablanca, they used Frenchman loyal to The Third Rich to keep order. That way they only needed a small amount of Germans to oversee the area.
Vichy France was not a separate country from France. It was the government administration of the French set up after the German invasion and occupation of France by the Nazis. They were sympathetic with the Nazis and collaborated with them under the pretense that they would remain "neutral" and cease all military resistance to the Germans. Once the Allies invaded on D-Day and eventually drove the Germans out and liberated the country, retaliation against the Vichy government by the French resistance forces and the returning government that had been in exile in Britain was swift and often brutal. Many of the Vichy officials were executed by their fellow Frenchmen or sentenced to long prison terms for treason. Even all these decades later, the term "Vichy" is synonymous with "traitor".
" The Germans wore grey, you wore blue... " It's only when we see the flashback to them in Paris later in the movie that we realise that Rick is actually saying - yes, the memory of that day, the day you left me is carved into my heart. I wonder if the scriptwriters realised what timeless classic lines they were writing?
This is quite simply the greatest film ever made. I have watched it over 200 times and it never fails to elicit laughs, tears, pride and admiration. So many heroes in this film, from the main cast to the minor actors, many of which were refugees themselves. You had such a wonderful reaction. It’s truly difficult to guess what will happen when you watch it for the first time. Your emotions were perfect. Glad you enjoyed it.
The French Vichy regime cooperated the Germans. When Captain Renault threw away the Vichy water, he declared that he was joining the French resistance.
Now you know why I, at 57 yesrs old and 50 years of watching movies, this has been and will always be my #1 movies. Many quotes are still used in the US over 80 years later: 1. Here's looking at you kid. 2. We'll always have Paris 3. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 4. The problems of 3 people dont amount to a hill of beans 5. Round up the usual suspects 6. Play it, Sam. 7. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine. The fact these are still recognized 82 years later will always be the icing on my #1 movie cake. Can't be beaten imo.
I'm 56 and I totally agree! I still think Claude Rains literally steals the film from Bogie with all of Captain Renault's lines. I saw Casablanca for the first time ever in 1992 for its 50th anniversary in a theater, it was amazing up on the big screen. Best movie ever. Drop the mic.
Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert did a segment on their movie review TV show where they had a bunch of high schoolers watch "Casablanca." The kids' verdict was that the story was beautiful and that Humphrey Bogart was awesome cool.
The label on the water bottle was Vichy Water, by throwing it in the garbage Renault is symbolically cutting ties with the collaborationist Vichy government.
This movie was Filmed and Released During World War II, The Bar Patrons that sing the French National Anthem, are all French Refugees, who escaped France before the Germans Invaded/Occupied France. So Many Quotable Lines in the movie, And it is a Love Story for the Ages..... I also Recommend "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), It also has some of the main Characters (Humphery Bogart, Peter Lore, Sydney GreenStreet).....
And after you've seen that, check out Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detective" (1979), a parody of three Hunphrey Bogart classics: "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon," and "The Big Sleep." I thought it was hilarious (even though I've never seen "The Big Sleep.")
Not to speak for the OP, but I can explain why I share the opinion. First from the point of view of the characters, if Rick and Ilsa stayed together he would be taking her from her actual husband, which is a little scandalous but not unheard of even in the relatively early days of motion pictures. It would play out like hundreds of other love triangle stories which had been made and forgotten in literature, on stage and in film for centuries before this. It also would have left Lazlo in the hands of the Nazis, and neither Rick nor Ilsa wanted that for him. It probably would have been beyond the scope of the film but later in life they would regret it and it might even drive them apart. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." And despite his proclaimed self-interest, the audience wants to see Rick as a good guy, so it helps his character to make the noble sacrifice. Secondly, as others point out so often, the characters are allegories of the political allegiances of nations during WW2. Rick is a stand in for the USA before and after getting involved in the war, Ilsa represents the agreements that the US had with the Allies, Lazlo is the other Allied countries in Europe who are fighting the Axis powers. Prior to the war, the US was getting a lot of benefits from European trade, represented by Rick and Ilsa happy together in Paris before the German invasion. After the war starts, that relationship is threatened as Allied European interests turn toward the European countries, America is upset about the situation but doesn't want to get involved in the problems of other countries especially after the events of the first World War. Now if Rick takes Ilsa and leaves Lazlo in the movie, it would be a symbol to American audiences of the US taking all it can from Europe and turning their backs on their allies. By helping Ilsa and Lazlo against Major Strasser (and actually killing him), Rick is a metaphor for the USA providing support to Allies and not just sympathy at a time when many Americans were still unsure about joining the war. Remember, this is not a period piece made years after the war, it's filmed during the war and in addition to the surface love story, it acted as propaganda convincing Americans that fighting the Axis powers was the right thing. If the Axis had won, this movie would likely be forgotten despite the chemistry of the characters and the snappy dialogue. The fact that it's a decent love story that also works as a portrait of that point in history makes this significant as more than just another Hollywood movie.
In the Paris flashback, when Rick and Ilsa are dancing, the song they dance to is called "Perfidia" . It was a clue for viewers at the time the movie was made, about Ilsa's secret. Though the movie features an instrumental version of the song, the English lyrics (as recorded by Nat King Cole) are: To you, my heart cries out "Perfidia" For I found you, the love my life In somebody else's arms Your eyes, are echoing "Perfidia" Forgetful of the promise of love You're shared another's charms With a sad lament my dreams Are faded like a broken melody While the gods of love look down and laugh At what romantic fools, we mortals be And now, I know my love was not for you And so I'll take it back with a sigh Perfidia's one goodbye
Renault's fanboying over Rick always tickles me. This movie is the most entertaining propaganda movies of all time.The movie is set a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led the United States into the war. At the setting of the movie, Americans are still resisting entering the war, which Rick alludes to when he says, "They're asleep all across America." Rick is a metaphor for the United States, reluctant to get involved in the conflict. When Rick comes out of his reticence and sides with Victor's cause, Victor says, "Welcome to the fight...now I know our side will win." That was a metaphor for the entrance of the United States into the war. The movie was released in 1942 at a time Germany was still likely to win the war. This movie gave a moral boost to Americans who were still not sure entering the war was the right thing to do.
Ingrid Bergman was beautiful, naturally beautiful, no heavy make up, no plastic surgery. She wrote in her autobiography when she came to Hollywood from Sweden the studio heads wanted her to wear more make up, ect. She refused, her attitude was, this is who I am, it did not hurt her career. She is one of my favorite actresses. Seeing I was born and raised in Denmark I'm proud to be a fellow Scandinavian.
I'm of Norwegian heritage. I love Ingrid Berman as an actress so much that I named my Rottweiler Miss Ingrid Bergman. Yes, she is a drama queen! My Ingrid embodies Ingrid Bergman's performance in "Gaslight"!
My sister loves this movie, and whenever our family went to dinner anyplace that had a live musician who took request, she would ask them to play "As Time Goes By."
I remember in the American Film Institute's TV special of their 100 greatest lines in American movie history, "Casablanca" had the highest number of quoted lines.
The dialog has been correctly labeled as "stereotyped" only because it WAS The Standard ever after. Same with WIZARD OF OZ. When every line of dialog is remembered by soooo many, how can it be anything BUT The Standard?!!
The release of Casablanca came shortly after "Operation Torch", the allied invasion of North Africa and the Casablanca Conference, January '43. For many Americans at the time (this is pre-interstate highway days) who had never traveled outside their state, this was a Hollywood version of "this is where/why our boys are fighting in a place you've never heard of" movie.
A small often overlooked detail is the date of the chit that Rick signs is Dec. 2 1941, five days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Rick reflects the isolationist attitude of most Americans, hence his "I stick my neck out for nobody" line. This film has some of the best black and white cinematography I've ever seen. The use of light and shadow is unsurpassed.
There is a story that the date in that scene was an error, that it should have been marked for December 5, which would make the timing of the airport scene (down to the hour) all the more significant.
3 actors in this film Bogart, Lorre and Greenstreet are also in "The Maltese Falcon" which is the premiere film noir, I hope you'll react to that one. And may I say that Ingrid Bergman has nothing on you.
Ingred is one of the greats - from tabloid attack victim , starring in Hitchcock & Swedish arty flicks.... even US t.V. - check out ' Autumn Sonata'. tour deforce acting with Liv Ullman
A good many of the minor characters were actual refugees from Europe who escaped the Nazis... So their emotional feelings during the "battle of songs" where the Nazis were shouted-down was truly heartfelt...
The innuendo they had to use to bypass the censors is actually amazing. "Go with her Sasha and make sure she gets home." Yes, Boss. "AND COME RIGHT BACK!" Disappointed Yes, Boss.....
Captain Renault may not always have been so cynical or friendly with Germans...note that he wears the Legion of Honor, France's highest award for valor.
Love the dialogue; here's one of my favorites: Rick asks, "Why are we being closed down?" Capt. Renault says, "I'm shocked, shocked, to find gambling going on here." "Here are your winnings," guy says, handing Renault some money. "Thank You," says Renault.
People became accustomed to making sacrifices during the war. At the end, both Rick and Ilsa sacrifice their personal feelings of love for each other in order to serve the bigger cause of Freedom Fighters and those in Underground movements (and by extension to help support Laszlo’s efforts.) All 3 of these people wanted what they thought was best for the other two. All 3 (and then 4, adding Capt. Renault) knew they had and would put themselves in danger by their actions, but all were willing to do so, for a greater cause.
Oh, Emma! You did such a great edit job through this great movie… but right at the end you dropped the ball… and left out one of the most iconic lines in cinema history: “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!” Representing the US (& Rick’s) entrance into WW2… joining up with France (Louie) for that ‘friendship’.
The part where they sing the French national anthem always gets to me. Those were all real French refugees, all of those emotions and tears in that scenes were real
You missed out the best bit. Claude Rains' next line as he takes the money is a thowaway "oh, thank you very much". But there are so many of these and significant moments packed into this film. The one that isn't is: Rick never says "Play it again Sam."
I like how Renault greets Strasser by saying "Unoccupied France welcomes you to Casablanca". It shows that he's a realist, he works with the Nazis because he has to do it, but he's still patriotic underneath it all.
This is my favorite movie of all time, and one of the finest films ever made. This takes place just before the United States enters the war, and serves as metaphor for America's decision to surrender its wavering isolationist neutrality and join the fight. "I'm a drunkard." "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." "You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!" "Here's lookin' at you, kid." "I'm shocked! Shocked to find gambling going on in this establishment!" "If we stop breathing, we'll die. If we stop fighting our enemies, the world will die." "We'll always have Paris." "Round up all the usual suspects!" "Louie, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." It was fun to see a reaction from someone who knows European history. Very few reactors know the implications of the comment by Renault that Rick had delivered weapons to the "Loyalists" in the Spanish Civil War; or the fact that did the same for the Ethiopians during the fight against the invasion by Mussolini's Italy.
Best part of the movie is the banter btw Claude Reins (Capn Renault) and Humphrey Bogart (Rick). I esp love the scene when Rick demands to know why Renault is closing his bar. The non-verbals are masterful. And Reins' line, "I'm shocked! Shocked!! That gambling is going on!" He then reaches out his hand and we hear, "your winnings, sir." The looks by Rick to Renault, then his employee, just beautiful acting. One of my fav scenes of all time.
You might also be interested in checking out another WWII thriller starring Humphrey Bogart; "To Have and Have Not"(1944). His female co-star in this one is 19 year old Lauren Bacall in her first film roll and you can see the sparks fly between them. They married and later starred in other movies together ("Key Largo", ""The Big Sleep") and remained wed until Bogart's death in 1957.
Thanks for this one, Emma. Glad to see you enjoy this story so much. I’ve been watching it for over 50 years, and have been crying even up to tonight’s viewing.
The best film to watch after Casablanca is NOTORIOUS (1946) featuring two of the stars from this film and an absolute masterpiece and a romantic suspense film. Enjoy! Great reaction! 💕
I met Howard Koch who wrote the script for Casablaca in Woodstock, NY. There were 2 endings written for the film but only one was filmed. In the unfilmed alternate ending Rick and Ilsa leave on the Plane and Victor stays behind. The most remarkable thing about this movie is it was filmed while these events were going on in Eurrope (aka during World War II).
I love people discovering this film. Absolutely love it. First saw it when I was 16 and skipping school. Watched it at least once a year since then. So happy you found it.
In 1942 when Warner Brothers made this movie, they were cranking out around 50 movies a year. Their backlot was a ‘film factory’. Always shooting several movies at the same time, they had many different Teams for Lighting, Camera Operators, Set Builders, Costume and Wardrobe, Sound men, Film Editors, Script Writers, Directors, Actors, and Musicians all to be assembled for just a few weeks of filming. With Casablanca, they had the good fortune of hitting Gold when, by chance, the best of all of the above factory Teams happened to come together to create ‘Lightning In A Bottle’!
I loved your reaction. Just a bit of trivia. Humphrey Bogart was an expert chess player. Prior to his success in Hollywood he would hustle chess games for money in Central Park. When we are first introduced to Rick, he is playing chess. He is playing the black pieces and from the position of the pieces one can tell that black has played what is known as the “French Defense.”
At one point, Curt Bois (the pickpocket) held the record for longest film career. His first film role was in 1913, while his last was in the 1987 Wim Wenders urban fantasy "Wings of Desire." "Wings of Desire" has a lot going on: it's one of the last films to really showcase late Cold War Berlin, before the Wall came down. And there's a love story (of course). And it features Peter Falk, playing himself...sort of. And there's some incredible trapeze artistry, with no stunt double, and no net. And there's a musical interlude with Nick Cave. And...well. It'll all make sense when you see it. I usually watch it once a year, because for me, it's ultimately about how good it is to be alive.
I have to say my favorite Bogie movies that I had to collect were; Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, The Big Sleep, The African Queen, Sahara (war pic), Sabrina, And my personal favorite, We're no Angels. As a photographer I started my education with B&W. I learned the best photos ranged from Black as night to White as a snow storm in the middle of the day and all the grades of grey/gray between. I began looking for this in B&W movies too and began my love for them. I have many more B&W movies I watch...
"Casablanca" is one of the best movies ever made! And Ric is an amazing character. He is whats called a man's man. He embodies the best of men. He appears too be self-interested, but cares for those in his life. And he sacrificed what he wanted to save the world from Nazism. The dialogue, the set lighting and the editing all contribute to make this one of the best movies ever made
You will enjoy the subscription. I joined over a year ago. Emma is great! So dear and true in reaction. Also, a wonderful voice. Cheers And good health.
You're right, he water bottle in the trash was symbolic. It was Vichy water. Renault mentions Vichy government a couple times, usually when he's capitulating to Strasse. In the flashback in Paris the song they were dancing to was Perfidia. I've often wondered if that song was chosen for the meaning of the name or lyrics.
Humphrey Bogart is an amazing actor...The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, High Sierra...some of the greatest films of that time period. What's really amazing is that they stand the test of time. I recommend Key Largo after Casablanca.
Ilsa never loved Victor. She tells Rick this, when she reappears at Rick’s place after seeing him the first time. She tells Rick there was a woman (Ilsa) who travelled to Paris from her home in Oslo. She met this man (Victor) who she had heard of all her life, and he taught of a whole world of beauty and ideals, so that all she ever was, was because of him and she had a feeling toward him she imagined was love. I speculate this feeling lasted until she thought he was dead and she met Rick who she truly loved. Thank you for this wonderful reaction!
Yes! She respected Victor, she was grateful to him, she had a deep regard for him but he was not her person. She loved Rick. He was her person. But he's right, she would have eventually regretted not going with Victor because of the guilt, not because Victor was the man she truly loved.
The bottle at the end was a bottle of Vichy water. Vichy was a nickname for occupied France under the Nazis. When he threw the bottle in the garbage, he was symbolically rejecting the Nazis.
When Casablanca was released (November 1942 in Hollywood), the North Africa Campaign had been raging for 2 years, and the bloody Guadalcanal Campaign Campaign in the Pacific was into its forth month. Both were in doubt for the Allies, so it was a very timely war movie. It would win multiple Academy Awards, including best motion picture.
Good choice. For other period films try the comedy, "Harvey" and "Arsenic and Old Lace" Then around Christmas work in "The Bishops Wife". All are excellent. Thanks for this one.
"I like to think you killed a man - it's the romantic in me." Claude Raines was just priceless as Capt. Renault. The dialogue is nearly non-stop. Film buffs need a copy of this for their personal collections. Too many factoids on this film to mention, so check out the Wikipedia entry on it. Remember, the outcome of the war was unknown during production, and nearly a year and-a-half after initial US release in Jan., 1943.
One of my all time favorites. It so happens that I know the name of the singer who plays Sam and sings As Time Goes By. Dooley Wilson. The reason I know that, is because I was on a team playing in my college's Trivia Bowl in 1974. We missed one question. Who sang As Time Goes By in this movie? Our opponent didn't miss any questions. Now a fact I'll never forget.
Good line there,So why did you come to Casablanca?For my health i came for the waters.were in the desert,I was miss informed.Oh the many times i laughed to it still do hahahha😂🤣
I have seen this movie countless times and yet I always see or hear something I had never noticed before. I count at least six languages being spoken by the patrons at Rick's, and other reactors from other countries have translated fascinating bits of background conversations that are appropriate to the plot.Years ago I was working at a large theatre that was showing Casablancas on the occasion of its anniversary (50th, I think). We ran the film for three weeks, with good attendance for all shows. We even had the actual restored piano that Sam plays flown in (along with a man from the insurance company) and on display. I even helped re-crate it (again, under the watchful eye of the insurance man) when it was time for it to go home. We also had (treasure of treasures) the letters of transit, but since there was no safe way to display them, they remained locked away and I never saw them. Fun fact: Sam's piano is salmon colored! And it isn't an American upright or spinet, it's some odd European style which is under 5' tall and has some odd number of keys (64, I think?), not the standard 88, but it is a real piano. The top was modified to hinge in the front (which is never done), so Rick could insert the letters from the back. I suspect the height may have been intentional, since Bogart was famously not a tall man. I was told the piano was insured for more money than we would make for the entire 3 week run of the film (and our theatre seated 5,000 people!). At the invitational premier I was giving a tour to an old couple who turned out to be co-script writer Julius Epstein and his wife. I nearly died when his wife mentioned "My husband wrote the movie!" What do you say in this circumstance? In shock, I said "I guess you've seen it then . . "
These snippets of languages are best done in a big-screen theatre, too. Those are clear but, I confess, such analysis makes me run out and get a ticket for the next showing.
I first saw Casablanca in 1980 or so, when my parents took me to a screening at a local college. It immediately became one of my favorite movies, and it remains so to this day. It's just so damn good. Favorite character? Gotta go with Captain Renault, and while there are a thousand great lines, my favorite will always be him telling Rick "I am shocked - shocked! - to find that gambling is going on in here." (Followed immediately by "Your winnings, sir" "Oh, thank you very much"). Historical tidbit: The ring that the guy showed Laszlo had the Cross of Lorraine, which was the symbol of the French Resistance movement. Lorraine is a border province which France and Germany have been taking from each other since the 1700s, and the Germans annexed it (instead of simply occupying) when they defeated France in 1940.
The Casablanca Blu-ray has commentary by Roger Ebert. He talks about so many details of the movie but even he stops and laughs at Captain Renault's "I'm shocked" line.
Many of the cast and crew (including director Michael Curtiz) were either themselves refugees from Nazi persecution and/or were actively trying to get their loved ones who were still under occupation, out of oppressed locations and to freedom. So, the contest of the 2 songs was a very authentic and emotional experience to be filmed, as it reflected real feelings.
From a film-making perspective it is important to remember that Ingrid Bergman was a couple inches taller than Humphrey Bogart. So in every shot throughout the movie, I end up trying to figure out how they made him look taller. Was he standing on a box, was she slouching, did they remove the couch cushions under her? You never see them next to each other in a full length head to toe shot. Once you've seen and loved the film a bunch of times, it becomes a fun way to pass the time.
Max Steiner the great movie music composer and conductor, really helped make this movie work, emotionally and pacing. He was really the John Williams of his time. He had also big movies like 1934's King Kong, 1939's Gone With the Wind, The Letter 1940], A Summer Place [1959], Watch on the Rhine [1943], White Heat [1949] and soooo many others.
This movie achieves the feat of whatever happens after it ends will be pergect. Lovely reaction, specially whenever were songs. And yes, it's one of the most perfect movies ever.
Bogart was one of Hollywood's greatest during the Golden Age. My father never missed a chance to see a Bogart movie. His favorite and mine was WE'RE NO ANGELS. Coming in second was KEY LARGO. But let's face it, there are so many wonderful Bogart movies like AFRICAN QUEEN, MALTESE FALCON, and of course THE BIG SLEEP which featured the beautiful Lauren Bacall. Maybe Bogart was great because he just played himself. I will always be thankful to him because he brought so much joy to my Dad..... actually to both of us. I remember my mother and sister didn't care too much for Bogart movies, but every time one was playing at the LeJune Drive In Threater he'd pack us all into our 49 Plymouth Station Wagon and off we'd go. Great memories of a wonderful time.😊❤
So great to see you react to this, one of the best classic American films ever! I'm very happy that you commented on the quality of the dialogue. I think you will find that many of these classic, Golden Age of Hollywood films had fantastic dialogue. I find the acting and cinematography to be quite excellent as well. And no matter how many times I watch it, I still get emotional when everyone starts to sing La Marseillaise. As for recommendations, there are so many great ones I'd love to recommend to you, but let me give you just one right now: "Laura" from 1944. It's a film noir and one of my favorites. Thank you for your willingness to react to classic films!
My parents were older than many of my friend's parents, being essentially a generation older. (Mom was 43 when I was born--which was considered unusual in the 1950's) I had a much earlier frame of reference since they had been adults by the time WWII happened. So I grew up knowing the songs and films of the 1930's and 40's. WWII wasn't ancient history to me since it had been a large part of their lives.
Favorite character: Captain Louis Renault as played by Claude Rains, especially in the airport scene at the movie's end. Even when he had no lines, you can tell what the character was thinking.
Starting the rebuild right, with three of the best movies ever made. Even if it's never happened to you, the absolute kick in the gut that shows on Rick's face can be felt by us, the viewers, when he first sees Ilsa. Then sitting at the table, never taking his eyes off her, his heart pounding. Love is such a strange thing, to cause so much happiness and so much pain at the same time. And, GASP, EMMA! Living together??? No. No, no, no. Scandalous. Not at this time in movies.
"If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life."
After Ilsa tells Rick her story, she says, "I can't think anymore, Rick. You have to think for both of us." That's exactly what Rick does. From that moment on, he is thinking not just about his own welfare, but about hers as well. That's why he comes up with the solution that emerges in the surprise ending.
Yes, this is very much a story about how friendship trumps politics. It's also about loyalty - to one's country, to one's cause, to one's self. It's a beautiful movie that appears so simple but reveals a new layer on every viewing and never puts a foot wrong. Also, jokes without punchlines! What watch? Such much! And of course: I'm shocked - shocked I tell you! ... here are your winnings, Captain.
I am not sure if I would say Casablanca is the greatest film of all time but it is certainly the most loved of the classic of the Golden age of American films. Saw it again recently and really struck how brilliant Bogarts performance is.
Best scene in the movie: when they play La Marseillaise. Remember that this movie came out when the war was still going on, and its outcome was uncertain. One can easily imagine theater crowds cheering and shouting. "Not only is our side going to win the war--we have better music!"
Thanks for the heart, Emma. Nice to know you read and react to viewer comments. I don't know if your resources include a copy of Halliwell's Film Guide, which contains thumbnail sketches and ratings of thousands of movies, but Halliwell is a somewhat acerbic critic, hence not a lot of fun to read when he's picking apart movies that may be sentimental favourites of yours. With this "I can be very hard to please" context in mind, here's what he nevertheless has to say about Casablanca: "Rick's cafe in Casablanca is a centre for war refugees awaiting visas for America. Rick abandons his cynicism to help an old love escape the Nazis with her underground leader husband. Cinema par excellence: a studio-bound Hollywood melodrama which after various chances just fell together impeccably into one of the outstanding entertainment experiences of cinema history, with romance, intrigue, excitement, suspense and humour cunningly deployed by master technicians and a perfect cast."
Not just the outcome was uncertain; US wasn't yet a part of it, and there was still a possibility that there would be some agreement with Hitler - and those refugees would be sent back to Nazis.
Thanks for this reaction. The time period for this film was 1940, before America entered the war. France had already surrendered and was divided in two. There was German occupied France and unoccupied Vichy France which was supposedly independent but dominated by Germany. The Free French were the resistance who fought against German occupation. The Cross of Lorraine, that you see in the ring was the sign of the French resistance.
The movie takes place a few days before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Still, the U.S.A. was neutral with regards to Germany until Germany declared war on the U.S.A. four days later. The flashback scene takes place in 1940. Paris fell on June 14th, 1940.
Since this was filmed during the war I've heard that most of the actors in the singing scene were actually refugees and were emotional about singing the French anthem
There were actually only three native Americans in the cast: "Rick", "Sam" and the young Bulgarian wife. A very international cast, many of whom were European refugees.
It was actually filmed before the US entered the war.
@@corvus1374Yes, which is why Rick, an American citizen, is able to talk with the Nazis.
I first saw this film when I was a teenager in the 1970s. Before those stupid 'infomercials' were invented, old films were what TV stations showed in the middle of the night. My grandmother was still alive then, and explained the greater political background about Rick's attitude. "..ran guns to Ethiopia..", fighting Mussolini's attempt to re-colonize the country. The fascists won. "..fought in Spain for the Loyalist side..", against Franco's fascists. Fascists won again. Rick was still a 'good guy', he was just tired of it all. Especially after that girl in France broke his heart.
Gran'ma said, "Welcome back to the fight..I know this time, we'll win." was her favorite line in the movie. She reminded me that the thing came out before WW2 was over, and nobody knew what would happen.
The bottle Louis throw away was Vichy Water (famous mineral water).
Vichy France was the French country that collaborated with Nazi Germany between 1940-44. So yes, it’s very symbolic.
Sidenote: in Sweden, all sparkling mineral water was called vishyvatten (Vishy water) up til the 80s.
After the fall of Paris when France capitulated, the Germans installed a puppet government known as Vichy France. Because the Germans could not occupy all of France as well as French holdings abroad such as Casablanca, they used Frenchman loyal to The Third Rich to keep order. That way they only needed a small amount of Germans to oversee the area.
Vichy France was not a separate country from France. It was the government administration of the French set up after the German invasion and occupation of France by the Nazis. They were sympathetic with the Nazis and collaborated with them under the pretense that they would remain "neutral" and cease all military resistance to the Germans. Once the Allies invaded on D-Day and eventually drove the Germans out and liberated the country, retaliation against the Vichy government by the French resistance forces and the returning government that had been in exile in Britain was swift and often brutal. Many of the Vichy officials were executed by their fellow Frenchmen or sentenced to long prison terms for treason. Even all these decades later, the term "Vichy" is synonymous with "traitor".
... And in Finland it still is called "vissy".
" - Ugarte: You despise me, don't you?
-Rick: If I gave you any thought I probably would."
One of the best lines ever.
@@domingocurbelomorales8635 "Im shocked to find there's gambling going on here"... "Your winnings"..."Thank you".
hollywood had great script writers in those days.
" The Germans wore grey, you wore blue... "
It's only when we see the flashback to them in Paris later in the movie that we realise that Rick is actually saying - yes, the memory of that day, the day you left me is carved into my heart. I wonder if the scriptwriters realised what timeless classic lines they were writing?
Who was it who said we'd care a lot less what people think about us if we realized how seldom they do?
@@markkennedy5479 no idea,but that is positively Confucian in its outlook.
You can never go wrong with a Bogie movie.
The African Queen is another great Bogie movie with Kathrine Hepburn.
This is quite simply the greatest film ever made. I have watched it over 200 times and it never fails to elicit laughs, tears, pride and admiration. So many heroes in this film, from the main cast to the minor actors, many of which were refugees themselves.
You had such a wonderful reaction. It’s truly difficult to guess what will happen when you watch it for the first time. Your emotions were perfect. Glad you enjoyed it.
The La Marseillaise scene always makes me emotional. Love it! Looking forward to what you show us next. Peace and love, from NM ✌️❤
The French Vichy regime cooperated the Germans. When Captain Renault threw away the Vichy water, he declared that he was joining the French resistance.
Now you know why I, at 57 yesrs old and 50 years of watching movies, this has been and will always be my #1 movies.
Many quotes are still used in the US over 80 years later:
1. Here's looking at you kid.
2. We'll always have Paris
3. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
4. The problems of 3 people dont amount to a hill of beans
5. Round up the usual suspects
6. Play it, Sam.
7. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
The fact these are still recognized 82 years later will always be the icing on my #1 movie cake. Can't be beaten imo.
I'm 56 and I totally agree! I still think Claude Rains literally steals the film from Bogie with all of Captain Renault's lines. I saw Casablanca for the first time ever in 1992 for its 50th anniversary in a theater, it was amazing up on the big screen. Best movie ever. Drop the mic.
I'm shocked . . . shocked!
The dialogue in this film is astoundingly brilliant. By far one of the best films ever made.
Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert did a segment on their movie review TV show where they had a bunch of high schoolers watch "Casablanca." The kids' verdict was that the story was beautiful and that Humphrey Bogart was awesome cool.
The label on the water bottle was Vichy Water, by throwing it in the garbage Renault is symbolically cutting ties with the collaborationist Vichy government.
This movie was Filmed and Released During World War II, The Bar Patrons that sing the French National Anthem, are all French Refugees, who escaped France before the Germans Invaded/Occupied France.
So Many Quotable Lines in the movie, And it is a Love Story for the Ages.....
I also Recommend "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), It also has some of the main Characters (Humphery Bogart, Peter Lore, Sydney GreenStreet).....
The Maltese Falcon is an excellent choice. I haven't seen it for about 40 years. It would be nice to revisit it.
And after you've seen that, check out Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detective" (1979), a parody of three Hunphrey Bogart classics: "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon," and "The Big Sleep." I thought it was hilarious (even though I've never seen "The Big Sleep.")
The ending where Rick tells Ilsa she has to stay with Lazlo is one of the reasons this is one of the greatest movies ever.
Please explain why. Otherwise, you're just parroting what someone else said.
Not to speak for the OP, but I can explain why I share the opinion. First from the point of view of the characters, if Rick and Ilsa stayed together he would be taking her from her actual husband, which is a little scandalous but not unheard of even in the relatively early days of motion pictures. It would play out like hundreds of other love triangle stories which had been made and forgotten in literature, on stage and in film for centuries before this. It also would have left Lazlo in the hands of the Nazis, and neither Rick nor Ilsa wanted that for him. It probably would have been beyond the scope of the film but later in life they would regret it and it might even drive them apart. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." And despite his proclaimed self-interest, the audience wants to see Rick as a good guy, so it helps his character to make the noble sacrifice.
Secondly, as others point out so often, the characters are allegories of the political allegiances of nations during WW2. Rick is a stand in for the USA before and after getting involved in the war, Ilsa represents the agreements that the US had with the Allies, Lazlo is the other Allied countries in Europe who are fighting the Axis powers. Prior to the war, the US was getting a lot of benefits from European trade, represented by Rick and Ilsa happy together in Paris before the German invasion. After the war starts, that relationship is threatened as Allied European interests turn toward the European countries, America is upset about the situation but doesn't want to get involved in the problems of other countries especially after the events of the first World War. Now if Rick takes Ilsa and leaves Lazlo in the movie, it would be a symbol to American audiences of the US taking all it can from Europe and turning their backs on their allies. By helping Ilsa and Lazlo against Major Strasser (and actually killing him), Rick is a metaphor for the USA providing support to Allies and not just sympathy at a time when many Americans were still unsure about joining the war.
Remember, this is not a period piece made years after the war, it's filmed during the war and in addition to the surface love story, it acted as propaganda convincing Americans that fighting the Axis powers was the right thing. If the Axis had won, this movie would likely be forgotten despite the chemistry of the characters and the snappy dialogue. The fact that it's a decent love story that also works as a portrait of that point in history makes this significant as more than just another Hollywood movie.
@@Slugbug That's the kind of comment I want to read. I don't like reading generic comments with the poster trying to act smart.
In the Paris flashback, when Rick and Ilsa are dancing, the song they dance to is called "Perfidia" . It was a clue for viewers at the time the movie was made, about Ilsa's secret. Though the movie features an instrumental version of the song, the English lyrics (as recorded by Nat King Cole) are:
To you, my heart cries out "Perfidia"
For I found you, the love my life
In somebody else's arms
Your eyes, are echoing "Perfidia"
Forgetful of the promise of love
You're shared another's charms
With a sad lament my dreams
Are faded like a broken melody
While the gods of love look down and laugh
At what romantic fools, we mortals be
And now, I know my love was not for you
And so I'll take it back with a sigh
Perfidia's one goodbye
Thanks, something I never knew, and your comment enriches everyone's understanding of the layers of conflict Ilsa faced, the 'why' behind her actions.
the greatest movie ever made!
Renault's fanboying over Rick always tickles me.
This movie is the most entertaining propaganda movies of all time.The movie is set a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led the United States into the war. At the setting of the movie, Americans are still resisting entering the war, which Rick alludes to when he says, "They're asleep all across America." Rick is a metaphor for the United States, reluctant to get involved in the conflict. When Rick comes out of his reticence and sides with Victor's cause, Victor says, "Welcome to the fight...now I know our side will win." That was a metaphor for the entrance of the United States into the war. The movie was released in 1942 at a time Germany was still likely to win the war. This movie gave a moral boost to Americans who were still not sure entering the war was the right thing to do.
Ingrid Bergman was beautiful, naturally beautiful, no heavy make up, no plastic surgery. She wrote in her autobiography when she came to Hollywood from Sweden the studio heads wanted her to wear more make up, ect. She refused, her attitude was, this is who I am, it did not hurt her career. She is one of my favorite actresses. Seeing I was born and raised in Denmark I'm proud to be a fellow Scandinavian.
I'm of Norwegian heritage. I love Ingrid Berman as an actress so much that I named my Rottweiler Miss Ingrid Bergman. Yes, she is a drama queen! My Ingrid embodies Ingrid Bergman's performance in "Gaslight"!
My sister loves this movie, and whenever our family went to dinner anyplace that had a live musician who took request, she would ask them to play "As Time Goes By."
That's so sweet.
I remember in the American Film Institute's TV special of their 100 greatest lines in American movie history, "Casablanca" had the highest number of quoted lines.
The dialog has been correctly labeled as "stereotyped" only because it WAS The Standard ever after. Same with WIZARD OF OZ. When every line of dialog is remembered by soooo many, how can it be anything BUT The Standard?!!
This has been my favourite movie for over 40 years. It has been my companion through a lot of heartaches, heartbreaks, and lonely Valentine's Days.
The release of Casablanca came shortly after "Operation Torch", the allied invasion of North Africa and the Casablanca Conference, January '43. For many Americans at the time (this is pre-interstate highway days) who had never traveled outside their state, this was a Hollywood version of "this is where/why our boys are fighting in a place you've never heard of" movie.
A small often overlooked detail is the date of the chit that Rick signs is Dec. 2 1941, five days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Rick reflects the isolationist attitude of most Americans, hence his "I stick my neck out for nobody" line. This film has some of the best black and white cinematography I've ever seen. The use of light and shadow is unsurpassed.
There is a story that the date in that scene was an error, that it should have been marked for December 5, which would make the timing of the airport scene (down to the hour) all the more significant.
3 actors in this film Bogart, Lorre and Greenstreet are also in "The Maltese Falcon" which is the premiere film noir, I hope you'll react to that one. And may I say that Ingrid Bergman has nothing on you.
Ingred is one of the greats - from tabloid attack victim , starring in Hitchcock & Swedish arty flicks.... even US t.V. - check out ' Autumn Sonata'. tour deforce acting with Liv Ullman
A good many of the minor characters were actual refugees from Europe who escaped the Nazis... So their emotional feelings during the "battle of songs" where the Nazis were shouted-down was truly heartfelt...
The innuendo they had to use to bypass the censors is actually amazing. "Go with her Sasha and make sure she gets home." Yes, Boss. "AND COME RIGHT BACK!" Disappointed Yes, Boss.....
Play it again Emma. Of all the TH-cam joints, I had to come into yours. I think this will be the start of a beautiful friendship.
The man shot at the beginning was underground resistance. The man with the ring is also.
The actress who plays Yvonne had escaped Europe a few months prior to filming this movie... The roulette dealer was her husband in real life...
She lived 92 years and died in 2016.
@@zedwpd I’m pretty sure that she was the last surviving cast member.
She was
@@THOMMGB
Madeleine Lebeau
Captain Renault may not always have been so cynical or friendly with Germans...note that he wears the Legion of Honor, France's highest award for valor.
Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Love the dialogue; here's one of my favorites: Rick asks, "Why are we being closed down?" Capt. Renault says, "I'm shocked, shocked, to find gambling going on here." "Here are your winnings," guy says, handing Renault some money. "Thank You," says Renault.
People became accustomed to making sacrifices during the war. At the end, both Rick and Ilsa sacrifice their personal feelings of love for each other in order to serve the bigger cause of Freedom Fighters and those in Underground movements (and by extension to help support Laszlo’s efforts.) All 3 of these people wanted what they thought was best for the other two. All 3 (and then 4, adding Capt. Renault) knew they had and would put themselves in danger by their actions, but all were willing to do so, for a greater cause.
Oh, Emma! You did such a great edit job through this great movie… but right at the end you dropped the ball… and left out one of the most iconic lines in cinema history: “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!”
Representing the US (& Rick’s) entrance into WW2… joining up with France (Louie) for that ‘friendship’.
The part where they sing the French national anthem always gets to me. Those were all real French refugees, all of those emotions and tears in that scenes were real
Oh yeah, they sound so good 😊
Every scene. Every piece of dialog. = Perfection!
Some of the greatest quotes in movie history. ❤
"I'm shocked... shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"
"Your winnings, sir."
You missed out the best bit. Claude Rains' next line as he takes the money is a thowaway "oh, thank you very much". But there are so many of these and significant moments packed into this film.
The one that isn't is: Rick never says "Play it again Sam."
I like how Renault greets Strasser by saying "Unoccupied France welcomes you to Casablanca". It shows that he's a realist, he works with the Nazis because he has to do it, but he's still patriotic underneath it all.
This is my favorite movie of all time, and one of the finest films ever made.
This takes place just before the United States enters the war, and serves as metaphor for America's decision to surrender its wavering isolationist neutrality and join the fight.
"I'm a drunkard."
"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine."
"You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!"
"Here's lookin' at you, kid."
"I'm shocked! Shocked to find gambling going on in this establishment!"
"If we stop breathing, we'll die. If we stop fighting our enemies, the world will die."
"We'll always have Paris."
"Round up all the usual suspects!"
"Louie, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
It was fun to see a reaction from someone who knows European history.
Very few reactors know the implications of the comment by Renault that Rick had delivered weapons to the "Loyalists" in the Spanish Civil War; or the fact that did the same for the Ethiopians during the fight against the invasion by Mussolini's Italy.
These beautiful classics are the best movies of all time.
Best part of the movie is the banter btw Claude Reins (Capn Renault) and Humphrey Bogart (Rick). I esp love the scene when Rick demands to know why Renault is closing his bar. The non-verbals are masterful. And Reins' line, "I'm shocked! Shocked!! That gambling is going on!" He then reaches out his hand and we hear, "your winnings, sir." The looks by Rick to Renault, then his employee, just beautiful acting. One of my fav scenes of all time.
You might also be interested in checking out another WWII thriller starring Humphrey Bogart; "To Have and Have Not"(1944). His female co-star in this one is 19 year old Lauren Bacall in her first film roll and you can see the sparks fly between them. They married and later starred in other movies together ("Key Largo", ""The Big Sleep") and remained wed until Bogart's death in 1957.
Thanks for this one, Emma. Glad to see you enjoy this story so much. I’ve been watching it for over 50 years, and have been crying even up to tonight’s viewing.
The best film to watch after Casablanca is NOTORIOUS (1946) featuring two of the stars from this film and an absolute masterpiece and a romantic suspense film. Enjoy! Great reaction! 💕
Actually, "The Maltese Falcon" is a must see, with Bogart, Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet.
@@johannesvalterdivizzini1523 honestly that film just doesn't do much for me. I find it exceedingly melodramatic and overwrought.
@@robertjewell9727 agreed! An often overlooked Hitchcock masterpiece.
I met Howard Koch who wrote the script for Casablaca in Woodstock, NY. There were 2 endings written for the film but only one was filmed. In the unfilmed alternate ending Rick and Ilsa leave on the Plane and Victor stays behind. The most remarkable thing about this movie is it was filmed while these events were going on in Eurrope (aka during World War II).
You are connecting to some of the greatest movies ever made, Godfather and now Casablanca. Both are in my personal top 20.
I love people discovering this film. Absolutely love it. First saw it when I was 16 and skipping school. Watched it at least once a year since then. So happy you found it.
Glad to have you back, on TH-cam, Emma. I thought for some reason u lost your channel, I'm a HUGE FAN or u and your channel
In 1942 when Warner Brothers made this movie, they were cranking out around 50 movies a year. Their backlot was a ‘film factory’. Always shooting several movies at the same time, they had many different Teams for Lighting, Camera Operators, Set Builders, Costume and Wardrobe, Sound men, Film Editors, Script Writers, Directors, Actors, and Musicians all to be assembled for just a few weeks of filming. With Casablanca, they had the good fortune of hitting Gold when, by chance, the best of all of the above factory Teams happened to come together to create ‘Lightning In A Bottle’!
I loved your reaction. Just a bit of trivia. Humphrey Bogart was an expert chess player. Prior to his success in Hollywood he would hustle chess games for money in Central Park. When we are first introduced to Rick, he is playing chess. He is playing the black pieces and from the position of the pieces one can tell that black has played what is known as the “French Defense.”
At one point, Curt Bois (the pickpocket) held the record for longest film career. His first film role was in 1913, while his last was in the 1987 Wim Wenders urban fantasy "Wings of Desire."
"Wings of Desire" has a lot going on: it's one of the last films to really showcase late Cold War Berlin, before the Wall came down. And there's a love story (of course). And it features Peter Falk, playing himself...sort of. And there's some incredible trapeze artistry, with no stunt double, and no net. And there's a musical interlude with Nick Cave. And...well.
It'll all make sense when you see it. I usually watch it once a year, because for me, it's ultimately about how good it is to be alive.
I have to say my favorite Bogie movies that I had to collect were; Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, The Big Sleep, The African Queen, Sahara (war pic), Sabrina, And my personal favorite, We're no Angels. As a photographer I started my education with B&W. I learned the best photos ranged from Black as night to White as a snow storm in the middle of the day and all the grades of grey/gray between. I began looking for this in B&W movies too and began my love for them. I have many more B&W movies I watch...
Elsa admired Victor but truly loved Rich. This movie is brilliant in so many ways.
"Casablanca" is one of the best movies ever made! And Ric is an amazing character. He is whats called a man's man. He embodies the best of men. He appears too be self-interested, but cares for those in his life. And he sacrificed what he wanted to save the world from Nazism. The dialogue, the set lighting and the editing all contribute to make this one of the best movies ever made
The setting is after the fall of France but before Pearl Harbor. The US is not in the war yet.
True. But it's mere days before Pearl Harbor. When Rick signs the check at 4:24, it's dated 2 December 1941.
Subscribed. I love your style, Emma. Wonderful reaction to a classic.
🥹❤️🥰😘🙏
You will enjoy the subscription. I joined over a year ago. Emma is great! So dear and true in reaction. Also, a wonderful voice. Cheers And good health.
You're right, he water bottle in the trash was symbolic. It was Vichy water. Renault mentions Vichy government a couple times, usually when he's capitulating to Strasse.
In the flashback in Paris the song they were dancing to was Perfidia.
I've often wondered if that song was chosen for the meaning of the name or lyrics.
Good day Emma. Another great reaction. Enjoy it.
Humphrey Bogart is an amazing actor...The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, High Sierra...some of the greatest films of that time period. What's really amazing is that they stand the test of time. I recommend Key Largo after Casablanca.
Ilsa never loved Victor. She tells Rick this, when she reappears at Rick’s place after seeing him the first time.
She tells Rick there was a woman (Ilsa) who travelled to Paris from her home in Oslo. She met this man (Victor) who she had heard of all her life, and he taught of a whole world of beauty and ideals, so that all she ever was, was because of him and she had a feeling toward him she imagined was love.
I speculate this feeling lasted until she thought he was dead and she met Rick who she truly loved.
Thank you for this wonderful reaction!
Yes! She respected Victor, she was grateful to him, she had a deep regard for him but he was not her person. She loved Rick. He was her person. But he's right, she would have eventually regretted not going with Victor because of the guilt, not because Victor was the man she truly loved.
No. Of course she loved him.
Captain Renault my favorite. He should have got considered for best supporting actor oscar😊
Can't imagine Casablanca without Rains.
The bottle at the end was a bottle of Vichy water. Vichy was a nickname for occupied France under the Nazis. When he threw the bottle in the garbage, he was symbolically rejecting the Nazis.
When Casablanca was released (November 1942 in Hollywood), the North Africa Campaign had been raging for 2 years, and the bloody Guadalcanal Campaign Campaign in the Pacific was into its forth month. Both were in doubt for the Allies, so it was a very timely war movie. It would win multiple Academy Awards, including best motion picture.
Goodmorning SweetHeart,,,Way Cool your on this today!!! Such a Classic!!!,,,Good to seeYa Emma!!!
Good choice. For other period films try the comedy, "Harvey" and "Arsenic and Old Lace" Then around Christmas work in "The Bishops Wife". All are excellent. Thanks for this one.
If they made this today rick and elsa would have flown away happy ever after. But because rick does the right thing its so much more powerful
"I like to think you killed a man - it's the romantic in me." Claude Raines was just priceless as Capt. Renault. The dialogue is nearly non-stop. Film buffs need a copy of this for their personal collections. Too many factoids on this film to mention, so check out the Wikipedia entry on it. Remember, the outcome of the war was unknown during production, and nearly a year and-a-half after initial US release in Jan., 1943.
The bottle read 'Vichy water' and Renault was expressing his loyalty to Free France by kicking it.
One of my all time favorites.
It so happens that I know the name of the singer who plays Sam and sings As Time Goes By. Dooley Wilson.
The reason I know that, is because I was on a team playing in my college's Trivia Bowl in 1974. We missed one question.
Who sang As Time Goes By in this movie?
Our opponent didn't miss any questions. Now a fact I'll never forget.
Good line there,So why did you come to Casablanca?For my health i came for the waters.were in the desert,I was miss informed.Oh the many times i laughed to it still do hahahha😂🤣
I have seen this movie countless times and yet I always see or hear something I had never noticed before. I count at least six languages being spoken by the patrons at Rick's, and other reactors from other countries have translated fascinating bits of background conversations that are appropriate to the plot.Years ago I was working at a large theatre that was showing Casablancas on the occasion of its anniversary (50th, I think). We ran the film for three weeks, with good attendance for all shows. We even had the actual restored piano that Sam plays flown in (along with a man from the insurance company) and on display. I even helped re-crate it (again, under the watchful eye of the insurance man) when it was time for it to go home. We also had (treasure of treasures) the letters of transit, but since there was no safe way to display them, they remained locked away and I never saw them. Fun fact: Sam's piano is salmon colored! And it isn't an American upright or spinet, it's some odd European style which is under 5' tall and has some odd number of keys (64, I think?), not the standard 88, but it is a real piano. The top was modified to hinge in the front (which is never done), so Rick could insert the letters from the back. I suspect the height may have been intentional, since Bogart was famously not a tall man. I was told the piano was insured for more money than we would make for the entire 3 week run of the film (and our theatre seated 5,000 people!). At the invitational premier I was giving a tour to an old couple who turned out to be co-script writer Julius Epstein and his wife. I nearly died when his wife mentioned "My husband wrote the movie!" What do you say in this circumstance? In shock, I said "I guess you've seen it then . . "
These snippets of languages are best done in a big-screen theatre, too. Those are clear but, I confess, such analysis makes me run out and get a ticket for the next showing.
I first saw Casablanca in 1980 or so, when my parents took me to a screening at a local college. It immediately became one of my favorite movies, and it remains so to this day. It's just so damn good. Favorite character? Gotta go with Captain Renault, and while there are a thousand great lines, my favorite will always be him telling Rick "I am shocked - shocked! - to find that gambling is going on in here." (Followed immediately by "Your winnings, sir" "Oh, thank you very much").
Historical tidbit: The ring that the guy showed Laszlo had the Cross of Lorraine, which was the symbol of the French Resistance movement. Lorraine is a border province which France and Germany have been taking from each other since the 1700s, and the Germans annexed it (instead of simply occupying) when they defeated France in 1940.
Wow, it’s very interesting to see some info about this movie))), I couldn’t get it only intuitive way😉🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏
The Casablanca Blu-ray has commentary by Roger Ebert. He talks about so many details of the movie but even he stops and laughs at Captain Renault's "I'm shocked" line.
Many of the cast and crew (including director Michael Curtiz) were either themselves refugees from Nazi persecution and/or were actively trying to get their loved ones who were still under occupation, out of oppressed locations and to freedom. So, the contest of the 2 songs was a very authentic and emotional experience to be filmed, as it reflected real feelings.
It was so much fun watching you react to my favorite film. The fact you figured out so much from reactions and dialogue is a testament to their acting
From a film-making perspective it is important to remember that Ingrid Bergman was a couple inches taller than Humphrey Bogart. So in every shot throughout the movie, I end up trying to figure out how they made him look taller. Was he standing on a box, was she slouching, did they remove the couch cushions under her? You never see them next to each other in a full length head to toe shot. Once you've seen and loved the film a bunch of times, it becomes a fun way to pass the time.
Max Steiner the great movie music composer and conductor, really helped make this movie work, emotionally and pacing. He was really the John Williams of his time. He had also big movies like 1934's King Kong, 1939's Gone With the Wind, The Letter 1940], A Summer Place [1959], Watch on the Rhine [1943], White Heat [1949] and soooo many others.
This movie achieves the feat of whatever happens after it ends will be pergect. Lovely reaction, specially whenever were songs. And yes, it's one of the most perfect movies ever.
Bogart was one of Hollywood's greatest during the Golden Age. My father never missed a chance to see a Bogart movie. His favorite and mine was WE'RE NO ANGELS. Coming in second was KEY LARGO. But let's face it, there are so many wonderful Bogart movies like AFRICAN QUEEN, MALTESE FALCON, and of course THE BIG SLEEP which featured the beautiful Lauren Bacall. Maybe Bogart was great because he just played himself. I will always be thankful to him because he brought so much joy to my Dad..... actually to both of us. I remember my mother and sister didn't care too much for Bogart movies, but every time one was playing at the LeJune Drive In Threater he'd pack us all into our 49 Plymouth Station Wagon and off we'd go. Great memories of a wonderful time.😊❤
This is real sharp movie dialogue
I first watched the movie for Bogart, I continue to watch the movie for Claude Rains.
thank you for your reaction! 👍☺
So great to see you react to this, one of the best classic American films ever! I'm very happy that you commented on the quality of the dialogue. I think you will find that many of these classic, Golden Age of Hollywood films had fantastic dialogue. I find the acting and cinematography to be quite excellent as well. And no matter how many times I watch it, I still get emotional when everyone starts to sing La Marseillaise. As for recommendations, there are so many great ones I'd love to recommend to you, but let me give you just one right now: "Laura" from 1944. It's a film noir and one of my favorites. Thank you for your willingness to react to classic films!
Oh yeah, you are right)), thank you for your comment 🥰❤️🤗😘😉
One of my favorite movies. I am not sure I could be as strong as Rick regarding Ilsa. Fun reaction Emma!
You do not belong to the last century...Great Cinema belongs to the last century , and we can't forget it!😊❤
You are right))),
My parents were older than many of my friend's parents, being essentially a generation older. (Mom was 43 when I was born--which was considered unusual in the 1950's) I had a much earlier frame of reference since they had been adults by the time WWII happened. So I grew up knowing the songs and films of the 1930's and 40's. WWII wasn't ancient history to me since it had been a large part of their lives.
Favorite character: Captain Louis Renault as played by Claude Rains, especially in the airport scene at the movie's end. Even when he had no lines, you can tell what the character was thinking.
Starting the rebuild right, with three of the best movies ever made. Even if it's never happened to you, the absolute kick in the gut that shows on Rick's face can be felt by us, the viewers, when he first sees Ilsa. Then sitting at the table, never taking his eyes off her, his heart pounding. Love is such a strange thing, to cause so much happiness and so much pain at the same time. And, GASP, EMMA! Living together??? No. No, no, no. Scandalous. Not at this time in movies.
Thank you for sharing 😘🥰🙏
Emma; your soul is of the 1940's.
Emma would look lovely in a 1940s outfit......of course Emma would look lovely in a burlap bag.❤😊
😂😉 Thank you!!!!!
"Here's looking at you, kid" :)
"If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life."
After Ilsa tells Rick her story, she says, "I can't think anymore, Rick. You have to think for both of us." That's exactly what Rick does. From that moment on, he is thinking not just about his own welfare, but about hers as well. That's why he comes up with the solution that emerges in the surprise ending.
Yes, this is very much a story about how friendship trumps politics. It's also about loyalty - to one's country, to one's cause, to one's self. It's a beautiful movie that appears so simple but reveals a new layer on every viewing and never puts a foot wrong.
Also, jokes without punchlines! What watch? Such much! And of course: I'm shocked - shocked I tell you! ... here are your winnings, Captain.
Great reaction to a wonderful classic.
I think you would love and enjoy the movie
Since You Went Away.
Trivia. In reality, Dooley Wilson, who played Sam, was a drummer, not a pianist!
I am not sure if I would say Casablanca is the greatest film of all time but it is certainly the most loved of the classic of the Golden age of American films.
Saw it again recently and really struck how brilliant Bogarts performance is.
Best scene in the movie: when they play La Marseillaise. Remember that this movie came out when the war was still going on, and its outcome was uncertain. One can easily imagine theater crowds cheering and shouting. "Not only is our side going to win the war--we have better music!"
Thanks for the heart, Emma. Nice to know you read and react to viewer comments. I don't know if your resources include a copy of Halliwell's Film Guide, which contains thumbnail sketches and ratings of thousands of movies, but Halliwell is a somewhat acerbic critic, hence not a lot of fun to read when he's picking apart movies that may be sentimental favourites of yours. With this "I can be very hard to please" context in mind, here's what he nevertheless has to say about Casablanca:
"Rick's cafe in Casablanca is a centre for war refugees awaiting visas for America. Rick abandons his cynicism to help an old love escape the Nazis with her underground leader husband. Cinema par excellence: a studio-bound Hollywood melodrama which after various chances just fell together impeccably into one of the outstanding entertainment experiences of cinema history, with romance, intrigue, excitement, suspense and humour cunningly deployed by master technicians and a perfect cast."
Not just the outcome was uncertain; US wasn't yet a part of it, and there was still a possibility that there would be some agreement with Hitler - and those refugees would be sent back to Nazis.
You looked good in a fedora. This movie has so many catch phrases that we have heard over and over in other situations.
Thanks for this reaction. The time period for this film was 1940, before America entered the war. France had already surrendered and was divided in two. There was German occupied France and unoccupied Vichy France which was supposedly independent but dominated by Germany. The Free French were the resistance who fought against German occupation. The Cross of Lorraine, that you see in the ring was the sign of the French resistance.
The movie takes place a few days before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Still, the U.S.A. was neutral with regards to Germany until Germany declared war on the U.S.A. four days later. The flashback scene takes place in 1940. Paris fell on June 14th, 1940.