Casablanca a Classic Romance Set in World War II
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman Star in Story of Lost Love
Sep 2, 2009
Casablanca, 1942, is one of the great classic romance dramas of all time. The film, set in Africa during World War II stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.
Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick, the owner of Rick’s Café in Casablanca, Morocco; which is a waiting point for people fleeing the Nazi forces in Europe. Rick has come into possession of stolen exit visas, a much desired commodity needed to leave the country. The German police are anxiously looking for the visas. German Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) is especially concerned that the letters of exit not be sold to Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid), a well know Czech resistance leader.
As Time Goes By
Ingrid Bergman co-stars as Ilsa Lund, a former lover of Rick's who shows up at Rick’s s Cafe along with her husband, Victor Lazlo,. When Ilsa arrives at Rick’s Café she recognizers Sam the café piano player and asks Sam to play the song “As Time Goes By.” The song brings Rick storming out of his office, furious because he had ordered Sam never to play that song again. Rick is surprised to see Ilse, which brings back memories of their brief but intense love affair in Paris.
Ilse returns to the café later to try to explain her actions in Paris. Ilse had deserted Rick at the train station with just a farewell note. Rick calls Ilse a tramp, but the feeling of love return for both of them.
At stake are the letters of exit visa, which Lazlo tries to purchase from Rick who refuses to sell them.. Lazlo then begs Rick to use them to take Ilse to safety.
Casablanca Classic Movies Lines
Casablanca delivers some of the classic lines of movie history:
- “Play it again Sam" (Actually a famous misquotation.... Bogart says "Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By.")
- "Here's looking at you , kid;
- “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”
- “We’ll always have Paris.”
Casablanca is the story of a dangerous era in history when “The problems of three little people don’t count for a hill of beans in this crazy world." Rick is a world weary and cynical man who finds himself drawn into the action of World War II when Ilse reenters his life.
Casablanca won three Academy Awards® including the Oscar for Best Picture.
Cast of Casablanca
- Humphrey Bogart at Rick Blaine
- Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund
- Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo
- Claude Rains as Captain Renault
- Conrad Veidt as Major Strasser
- Sydney Greenstreet as Signor Ferriri
- Peter Lorre as Ugarte
- Dooley Wilson as Sam
- Joy Page as Annina Brandel
- Directed by Michael Curtiz
Casablanca is a classic drama that can sometimes be seen on Turner Classic Movies (TMC). The movie is also available on DVD.
Resources: Casablanca, TCM and IMbd
Ingrid Bergman stars in Gaslight
The Last Time I Saw Paris a Post WWII Love Story
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