Casablanca

Starring
Humphrey Bogart
Ingrid Bergman
Claude Rains
Peter Lorre
Directed by Michael Curtiz

By Glenn Spillman and Andi Luna

In the midst of World War 2 there was a play floating around Broadway called Everybody Goes to Ricks, and it caught the eyes of Warner Brother Studios, and soon after culminated the idea of their motion picture # 401, this picture was to be calledCasablanca. And 70 years later it was to make an appearance for one night only in select theaters across theU.S.During the introduction of the movie Robert Osborn talked about the movie nostalgia and what it has meant to people who have watched it. Hugh Hefner being one that was captivated by the film talked about what the movie meant to him and how much he could relate to Bogart. Bogart’s son talked about and gave several historical facts about the movie, one being that they were filming with an unfinished script and how everyday the actors were given that days lines to memorize. They didn’t even have the movie fully cast yet and they were adding new characters as the days went by.Casablancawas the turning point in Bogart’s Career, at the time of filming Bogart was making 400 dollars a week. Prior to Casablanca Bogart played mainly gangster rolls, and this film would break him into the realm of playing the lead romantic role in future films. Bogart wasn’t the first choice to play Rick; Warner Brothers was originally looking at Ronald Regan to fill that role. Ingrid Bergman didn’t even want to make the film; she had her heart set on another film, but soon broke down to play the role.Casablancawasn’t filmed on location due to budget, it was filmed on the back lots of Warner Brothers for the price tag of 800,000 dollars, and this included the payment to the actors.Casablancatook the academy awards by storm taking home 8 Oscars, one being best picture, but when the Oscar was given out Warner ran passed Hal Wallace to claim his prize. This infuriated Wallace who would soon leave the Warner organization to start his own studio. Throughout the yearsCasablancagained popularity, so much so that it is now 2nd all time in the classic movie popularity poles. This movie has touched the hearts of countless thousands of people and will go down in history as one of the most romantic movies ever made.

I went to see the movie Casablanca last night expecting romance and adventure. I definitely got a hefty dose of romance and sentiment. Two lovers fell in love in Paris right in the middle of World War 2; they seem to have been inseparable as passion played out in their daily activities only to be abruptly interrupted the night they both were to leave Paris together. Love has a way of stinging you and leaving you to sulk in your memories of what once was. Bergman and Bogie were electric up on the silver screen, delivering a performance that was Oscar worthy. The end of the movie truly showed the love as Rick send off his once romantic interest into the night in another mans arms as they fly away to freedom to America. Watching Casablanca made me realize that true love does exist and that sometimes you have to let it go to be truly happy.

Glenn

“Here’s looking at you kid.” when I hear those words my mind flashes to a man who isn’t very tall and who by today’s Hollywood standards wouldn’t considered a hunk. Humphrey Bogart is all that and more and his quotes are immortalized in one of the most romantic movies of all time. Humphrey Bogart is pure class, talent and makes a dashing character that could have stolen the girl at the end but gives her up and walks away into the night.

I first learned about the one night only showing in theaters across the country on twitter. Humphrey Bogart’s estate used social networking to keep this legends film history alive for future generations. Humphrey Bogart is one of my all time favorite actors and I love all his movies. I have read all the biographies on him as well as his sons Stephen Bogart’s book about his dad.

Lauren Bacall his true love wrote a book about their love and life that I still like to pick up now and then. I started following the estate on Facebook then on twitter. One day I checked my tweets and saw that @Humphrey Bogart was following me and yes I felt giddy and much honored. When I saw they were going to be showing the film on the big screen in partnership with TCM I practically danced in the streets.

To see my favorite actor in one of my favorite movies was too good to me true. My friend Glenn and I (whom I also met on twitter and is an avid movie buff) decided we would attend the premiere and write reviews on our perspective of the event. I tweeted that we were attending the show in Austin TX and Stephen Bogart was guest tweeting that night, said enjoy the show. I then tweeted one of my next favorite actors C. Thomas Howell and asked him what his favorite Bogies films were. He tweeted me back and then they retweeted that to everyone. Bogie was a hit 70 years later thanks to modern day social networking.

There were about 100 people in the audience and we all clapped, cheered and still held our breathes in all the right places. The humor, veiled sex innuendos and of course the exotic scenery of Casablanca. My heart was thumping in my chest watching Bogie quietly take command of the movie and the attraction between the two characters was still there even in black and white.

I loved that it was shown in its original format and it didn’t need endless profanity, or wild sex scenes or big explosions to enhance the viewing pleasure. Casablanca is truly a classic and I wish they still made movies of this caliber. I will forever hold this night in my heart and continue to dream in black and white.

Peace and Love
Lunatx
@mzlunatx

You can check Humphrey Bogart at http://www.facebook.com/#!/HumphreyBogartEstate (http://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/#!/HumphreyBogartEstate)
You can also follow them on twitter @Humphreybogart