Casablanca

 

Casablanca-1942

Directed By Michael Curtiz

 

 

 

 

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

 Casablanca rests comfortably at number 3 among AFI’s (American Film Institute) “Top 100 Films of All Time”. Unlike other films that master cinematography Casablanca doesn’t stand out for its innovative manipulation of camera work or uncommon themes. What marks this film with prominence its pure heart. It is an everlasting story of love, honor, and self-sacrifice in the midst of a globe-spanning war. Rick and Ilsa have chemistry and a love that is destined to never to find solace, but inspires none the less.
 

The story, written by Julius J, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch is derived from an unproduced play called “Everybody Comes to Ricks”. What it lacks in cinematography and scale, it more than makes up for with quality story-telling. Some films garner critical praise whilst others gain acceptance from the masses, Casablanca is adored by both parties for its cocktail like blend of romance, suspense, and comedy.

Do awards determine the significance of a film? Not necessarily, but they do allow us to pay respect to its worthy attributes. Casablanca earned its place in the hearts and minds of audiences, and received 7 Academy Award nominations. On Oscar night it received 3 wins for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

 

The film characters are as memorable as the many famous lines that have seeped their way into pop culture. It’s common for someone to be using a popular phrase from Casablanca without being aware of the phrases origin. “I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship” has been uttered countless times in film and television; one such example would be on the long-lasting Simpsons sitcom.

 

 

Claude Rains as Captain Louis Renalt

Rick, Ilsa, and Sam are central to the film’s plot. Sam is a physical extension of the couple’s time in Paris, but more importantly he is a loyal companion and confidante to Rick. Captain Louis Renalt was played to perfection by Claude Rains, successfully earning him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Renalt is dastardly, selfish, and corrupt. Flawed as he may be he still manages to be an appealing character by movies end. He readily delivers quips that bring a smile to ones face. Like Rick, by the time the credits roll this self-serving bureaucrat ultimately has a pleasant character turn; inspired by Rick’s gallant decision on that airport runway.

 

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.  

 

http://www.pictureshowman.com/articles_films_casablanca.cfm

Behind the Scenes of Casablanca

By the Picture Show Man

 

It’s no surprise that I’m a sucker for behind the scenes information in any form. Bogey and Bergman barely got to know one another, a character was disliked by the actor portraying him, and classic tune nearly nearly met its demise.
 

Casa Blanca was a film so rich with potential, but if any one person can be given credit for the film it should be Executive Producer Hal Wallis. He was responsible for “selecting the manuscript “Everybody Comes to Rick’s”, assigned the writers, decided what to film, hired the director and cast, approved every aspect of the production, and even wrote the final line,” (PSM).

 

Bogey and Burgman

During shooting Ingred Bergman and Humphrey Bogart didn’t seem to connect, failing to get to know one another. Bergman considered Bogart “standoffish” and was quoted as saying “I kissed him, but I never knew him”. To compensate for the lack of congeniality Bergman viewed The Maltese Falcon  repeatedly in order to gain a greater understanding of Bogart’s acting style and a sense of his on-screen image.

 

Victory Lazlo was despised by Paul Henreid. He initially turned down the role mocking the character, “"an underground leader who appeared in a white tropical suit and hat in a famous nightclub and talked openly with Nazis was ridiculous and redolent of musical comedy." Yet to no surprise he agreed to the part after an increase in the role and top billing, nothing like feeding an actor’s ego to gain his acceptance.

 

Considering the lack of respect African American entertainers received at the time it should come as no surprise that Dooley Wilson was among the lowest paid members of the cast. He only garnered a wage of $150 a week, even though his role was larger and more valuable than that of other cast members. Peter Lorre earned $1,750 and Sydney Greenstreet $3,750 even with less screen time and less importance to the core story.

 

The now classic “As Time Goes By” was meant to be cut from the film.  Max Steiner, the creator of the films musical Score didn’t like the song, it was agreed the song would be taken out. The song was mentioned so often in the film that reshoots would be necessary. Ingred Bergman had cut her hair for her next role in “For whom the Bell Tolls” making retakes impossible. It was a haircut that saved of one of cinemas most memorable scores from hitting the cutting room floor.

 

As Time Goes by sung by Dooley Wilson 

 

 

 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

 



Ricks



The article makes a second viewing of the film more interesting. For example Rick’s café consumed nearly half the films budget, resulting in many of the sets being borrowed from other films. The Paris train station was the same one used in “Now, Voyager”. The Blue parrot café and the Black Market were the exact sets from “The Desert Song”.

 

“As time goes by” is beautifully rendered; once you hear it you can’t help but hum it throughout the entirety of your day. To think that it was nearly lost to audiences (it was in the play) is surprising. The song is one of the core elements in Casablanca, it would have been outrageous to make the film without it.

 

The most powerfully compelling part of Casablanca is whether or not Rick and Ilsa’s love will prevail. They make an amazing couple, yet they were barely acquainted off screen. There are quite a few stories of actors finding love on set, this most definitely no one of those stories. Casablanca revolves around the love they had and that very loves impact on where their lives have led. Incredibly their onscreen desire comes off as genuine and intense.

 

 

 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article

 

A big budget does not mark a good film. Many of today’s summer blockbusters may be visual spectacles, but tend to lack quality story telling (cough…Transformers). The sets provide a good example of a small budgeted movie that still strikes a chord. That is the power of film, when properly done you can find yourself so caught up in the story and characters that you accept the reality they provide you. Many of Casablanca’s scenes are surrounded by fog, but the actual desert it mimics is rarely, if ever, fog covered. Yet, the audience doesn’t care, and the film makers are aware. The fog provides dramatic effect and lends itself to the emotion of the moment.  

 

The best way to summarize Casablanca is “heart”. It’s has romance, fun quips, and includes politics intrigue. Women adore this film, and men may not be so obvious to admit it, but they love it just the same.     

 

Those final moments, when Rick is willing to sacrifice his love for Ilsa in order to provide her with a better life doesn’t fit into the typical Hollywood ending. America had come to rely on that happy ending where all the pieces fit neatly into place. Ilsa may be married but we want her and Rick together. That finish didn’t alienate audiences, instead it was a testament to Rick’s selflessness, a sign of his growth from the narcissistic man who doesn’t “stick his neck out for anyone” to the man of integrity we witness with back turned walking into the distant fog of the Casablanca night.

 

It’s a wonderful story, worth seeing with a loved if the opportunity should arise.   

 

A Beautiful Friendship

 

Plagiarism Statement:  Attach this statement to the end of each journal assignment. CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Benjamin Novoa     Date: 4/30/13