Better known just as 'Rick's' it all starts here...! in Casablanca. I've picked three of my favorite movies to bring to your attention. The first stop is obviously Casablanca (1942) and is the subject of this Blog, then to be followed by one of the funniest and well done comedies 'The Court Jester' (1956) with Danny Kaye and finally one of the most sophisticated with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in 'To Catch a Thief (1955)'. I hope you enjoy this edition.....
Rick's
This is the Gold Standard for Film Noir and over the years I've been to Rick's Cafe over a hundred times there's something new everytime. Perhaps it's the dialogue that is so intriguing. Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine...!, Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund...!, Paul Henreid
Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo...! and a bevy of supporting characters delivered those unforgettable lines with real style. Here's some of Bogie's best lines...
Listening to that I can almost visualize where each line of the dialogue is taking place in the movie. This has got to be one of the very best scripts ever written and it was written more or less on 'The Fly' so to speak. Some of the wittiest one-liners I've ever heard.
When production actually began the script was only half completed and near the end of the production the lines for the next day's shooting were being written the night before. At the very end they were being written and rushed to the set as the actors awaited there lines. Therefore no complete production script for Casablanca exits. Here's a .pdf file for you to read and is the best you are going to get...
This war time production was actually a turning point in Bogie's career. Up until this movie he had been relegated to playing the hard core 'Gangster' or victim of 'Gang Violence' in a series of high profile Warner films. His role here as the anti-hero
The most dangerous man in the world's most dangerous city...! was the turning point and he would play this sort of character for the bulk of his remaining career.
At the time this film was made Humphrey and Ingrid
Through the years 'Rick' and 'Ilsa' have entertained million... had no idea of the cultural impact it would eventually have on millions.
CLICK THE PIC JUST ABOVE
Ilsa
Ingrid Bergman was just 27 years old during this production and was the perfect choice to soften the likes of world weary 'Rick Blaine' (Humphrey Bogart). Her role as 'Ilsa Lund' cast her opposite Humphrey as the love interest in which she was his one-time lover and ran out on him leaving THIS NOTE
This is the note Ilsa left Rick in Paris... in Paris years earlier leaving 'Rick' a very embittered ex-lover. Her curent lover is none other than Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). Miss Ingrid made only one film in 1942 and we are very lucky it was Casablanca !
Click Pic Above for more Pix of Miss Ingrid Bergman
Nominated for six Oscars and Winning three this is indeed at the top of the 'A' list for Movie Classics. Julius and Phillip Epstein and Howard Koch won an Oscar for writing the 'Best Screenplay', Michael Curtiz won for 'Best Director' and of course Warner Bros. for 'Best Picture'. Humphrey and Claude Raines were both nominated for 'Best Actor' but lost out to Paul Lukas for 'Watch On The Rhine'.
Ugarte
One of my favorite characters as with just one look at him you know he's got some dark deviant
Just one look at him and you knew he was... part of his personality that always makes him some sort of amoral sycophant
An altogether dark deviant seedy character....
His role as 'Ugarte' totally upholds this image of the seedier side of life in human form. 'Ugarte' sells 'Exit Visas' and one of his lines that always stuck in my head was...
"I don't mind a parasite, I object to a cut-rate one..."
Click Pic Above to Enlarge
Sam
'You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh; the fundamental things apply, as time goes by....' if you don't recognize that lyric then we have definitely been invaded by space aliens because everyone else on the planet will recognize Mr. Dooley Wilson
You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh; the fundamental things apply, as time goes by... singing it.
The loveable loyal 'Sam
Loveable Loyal Sam...' playing the piano and dispensing words of wisdom
Sam dispensing words of wisdom... to Miss Ilsa. Probably one of the most famous movies lines ever was delivered by Miss Ilsa to Sam
Best Movie Line Ever....
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