Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid.
Who are the actors in the movie Casablanca?
The 1942 Warner Brothers film "Casablanca", is about an American expatriate who owns and runs a nightclub in Casablanca, French Morocco. The film stars Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, the nightclub owner, Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund, his former girlfriend, and Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo, her husband.
Who played Casablanca opposite Humphrey Bogart?
Ingrid Bergman. The romantic lead of Casablanca opposite Humphrey Bogart. Bergman was born to Swedish and German parents and starred in Swedish films before starring in Intermezzo in 1939. By 1941, she was under contract with David O. Selznick, who was trying to find the perfect role for his new star.
Why did Casablanca come out in 1942?
Casablanca was rushed into release to take advantage of the publicity from the Allied invasion of North Africa a few weeks earlier. It had its world premiere on November 26, 1942, in New York City and was released nationally in the United States on January 23, 1943. The film was a solid if unspectacular success in its initial run.
What is the plot of the movie Casablanca?
The film is set on the eve of American involvement in Morocco. The main character is Rick Blaine an American expat who own’s “Rick’s Cafe,” a haven for refugees escaping Europe and attempting to get visas elsewhere. One night his old flame (Ilsa) and her husband show up seeking such papers. The story evolves with twists and turns.
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Who was the lead actor in Casablanca?
For other uses, see Here's Looking At You Kid. Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid.
Why was the movie Casablanca made?
Although an initial release date was anticipated for early 1943, the film premiered at the Hollywood Theater in New York City on November 26, 1942, to capitalize on Operation Torch (the Allied invasion of French North Africa) and the subsequent capture of Casablanca. It went into general release on January 23, 1943, to take advantage of the Casablanca Conference, a high-level meeting in the city between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Office of War Information prevented screening of the film to troops in North Africa, believing it would cause resentment among Vichy supporters in the region.
Why is Casablanca so popular?
Ebert opined that Citizen Kane is generally considered to be a "greater" film, but Casablanca "is more loved." In his opinion, the film is popular because "the people in it are all so good", and it is "a wonderful gem". Ebert said that he has never heard of a negative review of the film, even though individual elements can be criticized, citing unrealistic special effects and the stiff character/portrayal of Laszlo.
How much did Casablanca make?
Box office. $3.7 –6.9 million. Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. Filmed and set during World War II, it focuses on an American expatriate (Bogart) who must choose between his love for a woman (Bergman) or helping her and her husband ...
What is Casablanca's greatest strength?
On the film's 50th anniversary, the Los Angeles Times called Casablanca ' s great strength "the purity of its Golden Age Hollywoodness [and] the enduring craftsmanship of its resonantly hokey dialogue". Bob Strauss wrote in the newspaper that the film achieved a "near-perfect entertainment balance" of comedy, romance, and suspense.
Why did François Truffaut refuse to remake Casablanca?
François Truffaut refused an invitation to remake the film in 1974, citing its cult status among American students as his reason. Attempts to recapture the magic of Casablanca in other settings, such as Caboblanco (1980), "a South American-set retooling of Casablanca ", and Havana (1990) have been poorly received.
Where is the movie Razzia set?
The 2017 Moroccan drama film Razzia, directed by Nabil Ayouch, is mostly set in the city of Casablanca and characters frequently discuss the 1942 film.
Storyline
The story of Rick Blaine, a cynical world-weary ex-patriate who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco during the early stages of WWII. Despite the pressure he constantly receives from the local authorities, Rick's cafe has become a kind of haven for refugees seeking to obtain illicit letters that will help them escape to America.
Did you know
Many of the actors who played the Nazis were in fact German Jews who had escaped from Nazi Germany.
Who captured Laszlo in Casablanca?
A Nazi commander sent to Casablanca to capture Laszlo. Strasser is a stereotypical Nazi villain, ruthlessly cruel and robotically efficient. From the moment of his arrival in Casablanca, he is all business, immediately inquiring about the murderers of the German couriers. He is willing to resort to cruelty in punishing his enemies and is determined to prevent Laszlo from leaving Casablanca at all costs. Unlike Nazis depicted in other films, Strasser is never overtly sadistic. Despite his unpleasant demeanor, he is always civil and polite.
Who plays Jan Brandel in Casablanca?
Jan Brandel. Played by Helmut Dantine. Annina's husband, who wants to escape to America with his wife. Unaware that Louis has made Annina a proposal, Mr. Brandel believes that the only hope of escaping Casablanca is by winning big at the roulette table. Because of Rick's generosity, this is exactly what happens.
Why does Ilsa refuse to leave Casablanca?
A devoted wife, Ilsa refuses an exit visa when Laszlo is unable to obtain one as well, saying she prefers to wait with him and leave Casablanca together. In Paris, Ilsa had fallen in love with Rick, because at the time she had believed Laszlo was dead.
What does Louis represent in Casablanca?
Vichy France's prefect of police in Casablanca. If Laszlo represents pure political idealism, Louis represents the very opposite—unscrupulous cynicism. Louis, like the Vichy government he serves and represents, has given up caring about right and wrong, and his only loyalty is to the winning side.
What is the pickpocket in Casablanca?
A Casablanca street criminal. The pickpocket reveals the seedy, street-hustling, outlaw nature of Casablanca. He warns people to be careful and alert, then leaves with their wallets.
Who plays Rick in Casablanca?
Richard "Rick" Blaine. Played by Humphrey Bogart. The owner of Rick's Café Americain and the film's protagonist. When we first meet Rick, he is a jaded bar owner in Casablanca who wears a dour expression as he drinks and plays chess alone. He constantly proclaims his freedom from all bonds, be they political or personal.
Who played Laszlo in the movie?
Played by Paul Henreid. A Czech nationalist writer and anti-Nazi partisan. Laszlo is a committed political leader who sees defeating the Nazis as his raison d'ètre. He endured time in a concentration camp, but he remains enthusiastic, courageous, and outspoken.
Who was the producer of Casablanca?
Casablanca movie (1942) review: Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid, producer Hal B. Wallis and director Michael Curtiz’s Best Picture Oscar winner is one of the most revered Hollywood classics. But is it really that good?
Who played Bette Davis in Casablanca?
Casablanca with Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, and Paul Henreid. Although Casablanca helped to solidify Bogart’s & Bergman’s superstardom, Henreid – Bette Davis’ leading man in the classic weepy Now Voyager that same year – would never be cast in another landmark film.
Is Casablanca a movie?
In short, Casablanca isn’t in the least bit poetic like the works of true masters like Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Theo Angelopoulos, Michelangelo Antonioni, or Stanley Kubrick. Instead, it’ s a solid-prose movie with no higher meaning to it.
Is there continuity in Casablanca?
Watch scenes from any earlier Capra film and one can easily see that James Stewart ’s George Bailey would be perfectly at home in them. As for Casablanca, there’s no continuity when compared to Curtiz’s other efforts.
Is Rick Blaine a Casablanca character?
That’s because there is the same reliance on trite body mannerisms that, while they define the Bogart “star persona” (as did John Wayne ’s personal foibles define his), they add nothing to the actual Casablanca character. In short, Rick Blaine is the generic Humphrey Bogart character from past films.
Is Casablanca an exception to the Auteur theory?
Thus, it’s not an exception to the auteur theory because it’s outside the scope of greatness.
Who played Ilsa Lund in Casablanca?
Ilsa Lund is the female protagonist played by Ingrid Bergman. She is from Norway and married to Victor Laszlo, a leader of the Czech Resistance. She thought her husband had died in a concentration camp and was living in Paris when she met Rick Blaine. They fell in love without knowing much about each other's pasts. Once Nazi forces invaded Paris, Rick, who was blacklisted, was forced to flee. Ilsa, however, mysteriously ditched Rick at the train station and left him heartbroken. Rick and Ilsa are reunited in Casablanca, where Ilsa and Laszlo (who turned out to be alive) are trying to obtain exit visas to escape to America. Although Rick and Ilsa both still have feelings for one another, they sacrifice their happiness for the Allied cause. Ilsa is a woman of great conviction and passion, and she ultimately has to put the former above the latter.
Where did Rick and Renault leave Casablanca?
He and Rick eventually leave Casablanca for the Free French Garrison at Brazzaville.
Why did Hal Wallis call Casablanca a slick shit?
Years later, Julie disdainfully pronounced the Casablanca screenplay as "slick shit", possibly because he was upset that Howard Koch claimed most of the credit.
How many times has Victor Laszlo escaped the Nazis?
He has escaped from the Nazis three times, once from a concentration camp. The Gestapo have been chasing Laszlo all over Europe and Major Strasser has arrived in Casablanca to ensure that Victor Laszlo does not escape again.
How long did Bergman's marriage last?
That marriage only lasted 5 years, and her third marriage, to Swedish shipping heir Lars Schmidt, ended in divorce in 1975.
Who played Heinrich Strasser in the movie?
Major Heinrich Strasser is played by Conrad Veidt. He is deeply aligned with the Nazi cause and, like Laszlo, does not change over the course of the film. Veidt himself described the character of Major Strasser as "the reason [Veidt] gave up Germany many years ago.
Who played the Czech Resistance leader in the movie?
The Czech Resistance leader played by Paul Henreid. He is married to Ilsa Lund and considered an enemy of the Third Reich because he was running an underground newspaper in Prague even after the Occupation. He has escaped from the Nazis three times, once from a concentration camp.
Who was the riffraff in Casablanca?
So long story short, this was all done as an homage to this film. Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre in Casablanca (1942) The riffraff are herded into a police station, and a waiter tells that a few beautiful women are arrested for Captain Louis Renault. When a plane flies over all the refugees stop to look.
Which is better, Casablanca or Citizen Kane?
[6] Film critic Roger Ebert said Casablanca (1941) makes more lists because it is beloved, while Citizen Kane (1941) is considered to be a better film.
When making a toast, Rick utters the 5th greatest line in movies accord to AFI.com?
When making a toast, Rick utters the 5 th greatest line in movies accord to AFI.com; “Here’s looking at you, kid.”. This line was ad-libbed for this movie, but it was used in an earlier movie by Bogart, Midnight (1934). At one point, Ilsa tells him that the man she was involved with has died.
When was Intermezzo remade?
Intermezzo (1936) was remade as Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939), and Bergman was on her way to stardom. She made a couple of more films in Sweden before returning to the US. She made three movies that were released in 1941, including a version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941).
Who played Renault in Wolf Man?
Claude Rains was one of the high points of the movie as Captain Louis Renault. This versatile actor was first covered in The Wolf Man (1941). Sydney Greenstreet as Signor Ferrari and Peter Lorre as Ugarte were both covered in The Maltese Falcon (1941). John Qualen played Resistance man Berger.
Where did the story of the letter of transit take place?
Narration tells of how World War II led to people fleeing towards America. This put many on a path that leads to the city of Casablanca in French Morocco. From Casablanca, if they could get a letter of transit, a completely made-up plot device, they could travel to Lisbon, Portugal and then to England or America. Of course, it only works if you don’t run out of money or get arrested by the local police. This left a large group of refugees in Casablanca waiting.
What was Casablanca the Movie about?
The film is set on the eve of American involvement in Morocco. The main character is Rick Blaine an American expat who own’s “Rick’s Cafe,” a haven for refugees escaping Europe and attempting to get visas elsewhere. One night his old flame (Ilsa) and her husband show up seeking such papers. The story evolves with twists and turns. While on the surface it’s an adventure/romance wrapped into one it’s also a study in political allegory. Many believe that the character of Rick is meant to symbolize all Americans and the arrival of Ilsa is a symbol of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Rick also befriends Captain Renault and the course of their friendship also alludes to Allied alliances of the war.
What was the real story of Casablanca?
But, the reality is Casablanca at that time and Casablanca’s portrayal in the film was merely a Hollywood construct and has very little to do with history or reality.
Why was Casablanca important?
Casablanca in the 1940’s was hugely important not only to the country but to the region. It was a major shipping port as well as home to the largest airport in North Africa. It was near Casablanca that the Allied invasion of North Africa began.
Where did the Allied landing happen?
Beach at Port Lyautey and Casbah – Allied landing happened on the beaches here. The Casbah is from the 17th century and was used by the French to hold American prisoners during the invasion.
What clothing did the Moroccans wear in the movie?
The extra “Moroccans” seen in the background of the film are dressed in Egyptian clothing. There was no such thing as letters of transit. If there were, few if any Nazis would have honored these especially had they been signed by Charles de Gaulle.
What is the Moroccan flag?
The Moroccan flag at the time of the protectorate is the same as it is today; a red background with a green, five pointed star in the middle.
Where did the French land in Morocco?
The landings in Morocco happened in Fedala, Safi , and Mehdiya-Port Lyautey. Allied forces thought the French wouldn’t fight back at all, but rather surrender immediately. This didn’t happen and there was some fighting that happened. The naval battle for Casablanca occurred after the three original landings.
Overview
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. Filmed and set during World War II, it focuses on an American expatriate (Bogart) who must choose between his love for a woman (Bergman) or helping her and her husband (Henreid), a Czech resistance leader, escape from the Vichy-controlle…
Plot
In December 1941, American expatriate Rick Blaine owns a nightclub and gambling den in Casablanca. "Rick's Café Américain" attracts a varied clientele, including Vichy French and German officials, refugees desperate to reach the neutral United States, and those who prey on them. Although Rick professes to be neutral in all matters, he ran guns to Ethiopia during the Second Italo-Ethiopia…
Cast
The play's cast consisted of 16 speaking parts and several extras; the film script enlarged it to 22 speaking parts and hundreds of extras. The cast is notably international: only three of the credited actors were born in the United States (Bogart, Dooley Wilson, and Joy Page). The top-billed actors are:
• Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine
Production
The film was based on Murray Burnett and Joan Alison's unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's. The Warner Bros. story analyst who read the play, Stephen Karnot, called it (approvingly) "sophisticated hokum" and story editor Irene Diamond, who had discovered the script on a trip to New York in 1941, convinced Hal Wallis to buy the rights in January 1942 for $20,000 (equivalent …
Soundtrack
The music was written by Max Steiner, who wrote scores for King Kong and Gone with the Wind. The song "As Time Goes By" by Herman Hupfeld had been part of the story from the original play; Steiner wanted to write his own composition to replace it, but Bergman had already cut her hair short for her next role (María in For Whom the Bell Tolls) and could not reshoot the scenes that incorporated the song, so Steiner based the entire score on it and "La Marseillaise", the French n…
Release
Although an initial release date was anticipated for early 1943, the film premiered at the Hollywood Theater in New York City on November 26, 1942, to capitalize on Operation Torch (the Allied invasion of French North Africa) and the subsequent capture of Casablanca. It went into general release on January 23, 1943, to take advantage of the Casablanca Conference, a high-level meeting in the city between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Fran…
Reception
Casablanca received "consistently good reviews". Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote, "The Warners ... have a picture which makes the spine tingle and the heart take a leap." He applauded the combination of "sentiment, humor and pathos with taut melodrama and bristling intrigue." Crowther noted its "devious convolutions of the plot" and praised the screenplay quality as "of the best" and the cast's performances as "all of the first order".
Interpretation
Casablanca has been subjected to many readings; semioticians account for the film's popularity by claiming that its inclusion of stereotypes paradoxically strengthens the film. Umberto Eco wrote:
Thus Casablanca is not just one film. It is many films, an anthology. Made haphazardly, it probably made itself, if not actually against the will of its authors and actors, then at least beyond their control. And this is the reason it works, in spite of aesthetic theories and theories of film making…