Casablanca, with
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
A different version of this note and thoughts on other books
are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEVa4_CsRStSBBDo4uJWT8BSWtTTn0N1E
and
http://realini.blogspot.ro/
For many critics and viewers alike, this is The Best Film
ever produced.
And an unlikely candidate to begin with.
I have watched a wondrous series called
-
American
Cinema
In it, the public is royally treated to all sorts of
secrets, revelations and stories about the making of movies.
The great ones.
For Casablanca, a series of writers had to work and then
change and change again.
Six of them are listed as having contributed to the
scenario.
And as William Goldman keeps repeating in his classic work
on Hollywood, Adventures in the Screen Trade, they never know what will work.
And when The Godfather or Casablanca were being filmed,
producers, directors and cast had no idea that these will become the creme de
la creme.
The tagline of the film is:
-
They had a
date with destiny- in Casablanca
Rick Blane is portrayed by Humphrey Bogart in a memorable
role.
He owns a reputed cafe in Casablanca.
Rick is inexplicably unhappy, morose and cynical.
Until we understand why.
The status of Casablanca is somewhat privileged.
Although France had been occupied and the Germans are
calling the shots, it is not administered by them.
Nevertheless, everyone is trying to get a Pass and escape to
Lisbon.
From there, a passage to America is available.
And everybody is willing to pay or do whatever it takes for
these passes.
Two of them end up in the hands of Rick.
One night, he is very upset to hear his piano player, Sam
singing a forbidden song.
And there we see Ingrid Bergman in the role of Ilsa Lund,
who is married to Victor Laszlo.
The latter is a prominent, international leader of the fight
against the Nazis.
And he offers the chance to Rick to "redeem"
himself.
Rick and Ilsa have had a torrid, passionate relationship in
Paris.
It looked like they were in love for ever.
But with the arrival of the fascists in Paris, they need to
escape.
And outrageously, Rick receives a note from Ilsa, as he was
waiting for her to get on the last train before the imminent occupation.
She was leaving him, or so it seemed.
The story is more complex, but considering the improbable
reader who will read this without having seen Casablanca, I will refrain from
any spoilers.
I was stunned to learn that Humphrey Bogart, an actor who
appeared as the epitome of the tough, strong, determined and powerful man,
was...whining!
In the aforementioned book by William Goldman we learn about
this and so many other secrets.
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