Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10



Casablanca
is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and based on Murray Burnett and Joan Alison's unproduced stage play Everybody Comes to Rick's. The film stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid; it also features Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on an American expatriate who must choose between his love for a woman and helping her Czech Resistance leader husband escape the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.

Story editor Irene Diamond convinced producer Hal B. Wallis to purchase the film rights to the play in January 1942. Brothers Julius and Philip G. Epstein were initially assigned to write the script. However, despite studio resistance, they left to work on Frank Capra's Why We Fight series early in 1942. Howard E. Koch was assigned to the screenplay until the Epsteins returned a month later. Casey Robinson assisted with three weeks of rewrites, but his work would later go uncredited. Wallis chose Curtiz to direct the film after his first choice, William Wyler, became unavailable. Principal photography began on May 25, 1942, ending on August 3; the film was shot entirely at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, with the exception of one sequence at Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, Los Angeles.

Although Casablanca was an A-list film with established stars and first-rate writers, no one involved with its production expected it to be anything out of the ordinary. It was just one of hundreds of pictures produced by Hollywood every year. 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.

Casablanca went on to win three Academy Awards – Best Picture, Director (Curtiz) and Adapted Screenplay (the Epsteins and Koch) – and gradually its reputation grew. Its lead character, memorable lines, and pervasive theme song have all become iconic and the film consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films in history.
 
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Tuco

Member: Rank 2
I first saw this when I was 17 or 18 years of age, and at the time, I remember that it was one of the best movies I'd ever seen. Up to that time, I hadn't really "rated" movies one way or the other.

So fast foward 40+ years, and I have to say that Casablanca falls into the "sentimental favorite" category. I enjoy watching it, I recognize it's place in film history, but I now see quite a few flaws in it that would keep me from voting it a "10" or even a "9".
 

Carol

Member: Rank 5
Flaws in production values? Surely not flawed casting? I'd love to hear more
And why have we got 2 Casablanca threads? Solidarity is called for here!
 

mustang2006

Member: Rank 2
All I ever find on there is the favorite lines or quotes, & movie scenes.. There's even one using sound bits from the movie as music. Plus a singer called Casablanca, and a few KISS videos when they were with Casablanca Records. If you find anymore good ones share them in here. Have to keep these nice threads active.
Well now it says 'removed by the user'. Crazy...
But I looked and it's still there....
 

Carol

Member: Rank 5
Can't help thinking that, but for an accident of geography the film could have been called Fez and could have turned out to be a very different offering: Wilson, Kepple and Betty instead of Sam, for one thing...


 
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Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
CASABLANCA RADIO PLAY:

A year after the movie was released, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman & Paul Henreid performed "Casablanca" for the Screen Guild Theatre Radio programme during WWII. April 26th 1943.


Posted in 3 parts.....
 
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Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
A year later, another radio production was made....


Originally broadcast on January 24, 1944. NONE of the original stars are featured in this version

Instead it stars...

Alan Ladd
Hedy Lamarr
John Loder





 
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