Cast – Key Characters

Humphrey Bogart

Character – Rick

Before Casablanca, Bogart was already a veteran star, but hardly the top actor in the industry. He became a star when playing the lead role in The Maltese Falcon (1941). Before he was a character actor who was tough without a gun, he mainly was in gangster movies or crime and detective genre. He was not none as being a romantic lead in a movie previously. Bogart was unhappy when it came to scripts as they where given normally on the day when they where filming. He was only on the contract for Warner Brothers, and he was normally known for smaller parts until he was the lead role in Casablanca. His traits where cynical and selfish.

Ingrid Bergman

Character – Ilsa Lund

Was casted when the writers though about having a lead female character who was foreign, as they wanted to showcase many people all over Europe wanted to escape Europe and go to America. She remade a film in America from a film in Swedish. She is fresh-faced foreign actress. Bergman’s noteable performances in the 1940’s include the whom the bells trolls, which earned nominations for the best actress.

Paul Henreid

Character – Victor Laszlo

Paul was an Austrian – American actor, director. He appeared in films such as Goodbye Mr, Chips and Night train to Munich before starring in Casablanca. He played many roles during the second worlds War, and was acting in film with romance.

Claude Rains

Character – Captain Louis Renault

Claude Rains was a British and American actor. He starred in movies such as The invisible man, Now, Voyager, the wolf man and many more before starring in Casablanca.

Conrad Veidt

Character – major Heinrich Strasser

Conrad was German but naturalised British actor. He was in movies such as The Man Who Laughs, All through the night, The spy in Black before he starred in Casablanca. He died in 1943 and the role of Major Strasser was his last role.

Sydney Greenstreet

Character – Signor Ferrari

Greenstreet was a British and American actor. While he did not begin his career in films until the age of 61, he had of significant motion pictures in a Hollywood career lasting through the 1940s. Movies he was in – across the pacific, and the Maltese falcon.

Peter Lorre

Character – Ugarte

He is Slovakian, but worked with German producers and films. He was known for his timidly devious characters, his appearance and accented voice he was frequently typecast as a sinister foreign. Movies he was in before Casablanca – The Maltese Falcon, The man who knew too much.

S.Z Sakall

Character – Carl

He was Hungarian – American stage and film character actor. He appeared in many prominent movies, including Casablanca, Christmas in Connecticut, In the good old summertime

Madeleine Lebeau

Character – Yvonne

She was a French film actress who also appeared in American Films. Casablanca was the her first movie and after it she played many movies such as, Parisians, The country I come from and many other film both in French and in English.

Dooley Wilson

Character – Sam

He was an American actor, singer and musician. He played in movies such as Cairo, My favourite Blonde, Take a letter, Darling before he starred in Casablanca as the pianists.

Director of Film

Michael Curtiz
He was a Hungarian Refugees. Has knowledge of trying to leave Europe. He casted refugees to be the extras. Most of them where immigrants. Curtiz directed 173 movies. He broke away from the normal Hollywood style of camera movements like using the dolly shots and the movement of the actors which was seen as the dancing with the camera. Script came after Pearl Harbour (it is what brought America into the war). There was 34 different nationalities behind and in front of the camera

• Mise En Scene
  The set design of the film was supposed to look like they where built, however contain special and suitable props for example shutters, lamps exotic plants which was to create some sort of reality and verisimilitude of items in Casablanca. The set design was supposed to feel like a magical place unlike the real country itself. The costumes where important as it gave extra gleam towards the film. Many of the key characters had there own colour pallet for example, Ilsa had very light colour which connoted innocence and youth.

• Sound
  Music played an important role in the movie as they had important character information for example when there was mention of Germans they would play a more ominous sound This would be an example of non diegetic sound as only the audience can hear it. The sound also provided key themes for the Film to make a point. And they sound acted as a classical motif. The frequent use of the song ” as time goes by” showed the audience the way the film connoted idea and genre for example it being romantic showing the song mean a lot of precious times for Rick and Ilsa.

• Editing
  The editing of the film was very fast pace with many shot reverse shots being used. Although the film was an 1 and 20 minutes it felt less more like just 20 minutes due to the fast pace editing. The editing also showed key character information and each of the characters personalities. Many close up used a lot to convey emotions and the close up shot where normally held for longer. The editing of the scene getting darker created the feeling of when characters where in love and held intimacy with each other. The film adheres to the rule of classical Hollywood continuity editing. The editing appears seamless and invisible throughout.

• Aesthetic
  Although the film is not real, many part of the film could be real aspects to some people’s life’s. It has become the most recognizable ” screen memory ” of the escape and exile routes of World War II. The aesthetics depict a sense of romantic longing- smoky bars, exotic location, the foggy runway and wartime costumes all contribute to the film’s classical look. The film combines the aesthetics of film noir, expressionism, melodrama and documentary. Warner’s tight budget policy was reflected in the aesthetics of their films – low-key lighting and fog were often used to disguise cheap sets, as evident in the final scene in the aircraft hangar.
  – Themes and issues :
  Isolationism – what was America’s view on world war ll ?
  88% of Americans opposed the idea of declaring war against the axis power in Europe. As late of June 35% of Americans believed their government should risk war to help the British. Rick represents US foreign policy, from isolationist to
  intervention. Rick displays neutrality and portrays isolation tendencies. After pearl harbour the US had finally break their neutrality and join WWll. Later Rick shoots a German in order to help Ilsa. At the start 96 % of Americans wanted to stay out of the war. Rick turn from being a cynical guy, who is tough, and horrible to women then he becomes a sentimental and loveable guys who is willing to help a lot of people, and becomes patriotic for his country.
• The producers of the film (Hal B. Wallis) Casablanca oversea the whole film production they put the team together by creating the scripts, coordinate scenes etc. The film starts to promote propaganda.

• Representation Featured
  – Women = the main female character Ilsa is incapable of making her own decisions. Ilsa is shown to be torn between two male characters in the film showing that she cannot make a choice and it is Rick who makes the choices of duty over love The women are either victims or trophies to be competed for between men. he camera portrays these women literally in a different light than it does the men: they are more brightly lit, without shadows, and very often in soft focus. Both in her entrances into scenes and in her conversations with other characters, Ilsa maintains the attention of the camera; in several instances the lens remains fixated upon her even when she is not speaking.
  – Men = The film occurs in very male dominated world. The plot and the historic timeline that it follows reflects stereotypically masculine concerns: war, duty to country, and freedom. Rick turn from being a cynical guy, who is tough, and horrible to women then he becomes a sentimental and loveable guys who is willing to help a lot of people, and becomes patriotic for his country.
  – people of colour- there is only one person in the film who is a person with colour, which is Sam who is the pianist. Sam follows alongside Rick. Sam came from Paris then came to Casablanca when Rick asked him to continue playing the piano from rick at his café/bar.
  – Overall there are many different cultures represented. Furthermore there where a lot of actors playing German roles. For example there is a German couple represented as being comedic and lively while they are talking about leaving the country to go to America. There was also Refugees, from all over Europe, who where casted by the director to play small parts and extras in the film.

Historical and Political context in Casablanca

Casablanca takes place on the four days leading up to the Japanese attack on the US military base at Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941. The event led directly to USA entry into WW2. Rick represents US foreign policy, from isolationist to
intervention.

Allies – Britain, USA and USSR
Axis – Germany, Italy and Japan

France – France begins as Allies, but soon into the war they where invaded and became occupied by Germany. There was some soldiers decided to continue to fight. Vichy France was a territory and had tis own government but was like a puppet to the Germans. Morocco was part of the French (Vichy) territory.

The World War ll started in 1939 America started the war in 1941 due to the Pearl Harbour bombing.

• Operation Torch
  “it captured the zeitgeist”
  – Zeitgeist = spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
  – Operation Torch (8th November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the second World War. Torch was a compromise operation that met the British objective of securing victory in North Africa while allowing American armed forces the opportunity to begin their fight against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on a limited scale.
  
• Opening world Premier of Casablanca – It had its world premiere on November 26, 1942, in New York City and was released nationally in the United States on January 23, 1943. The cinema showed movie reels that communicated the news to the public. Otherwise you would get the news from the radio or newspaper.
  
• Casablanca Conference
  – The Casablanca Conference was a meeting between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the city of Casablanca, Morocco that took place from January 14–24, 1943. During the first month of 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British prime minister Winston S. Churchill met at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca in French Morocco for a ten day conference to plan the next stages of the war against the Axis.

serendipity – the luck of something or chance.

First response

Rating- 8/10

I think this movie is shot well and uses continuity editing well allowing you to watch the film without being completely aware of cuts. I think the story is timeless allowing it to be watched as entertainment instead of studying or learning from it. An iconic scene from this film for me is the final scene when rick lets Elsa leave Casablanca without him, it is memorable as i think its shot beautifully while capturing the characters felling and emotions towards the bitter sweet ending.

Michael Curtiz-

Hungarian director, made 173 films for warner brothers so he has knowledge of what its like leaving Europe. majority of the extras themselves where immigrants, therefore they where all portraying a experience they have lived. when they play the characters there is a huge amount of empathy and emotion when playing these roles for them.

Michael curtiz use of camera was unique, he broke away from the norm of the “Hollywood style” as the camera was usually kept still whereas he was moving the camera and the actors. the use of camera to actor choreography was key.

The script-

“Everyone comes to ricks” was received the day after the pearl harbour the Japanese bombed the American fleet in Hawaii at Perl harbour, Japan declared war on America. Boats where destroyed and people where killed. It was sent to many film composers however only 2 agreed to make it a movie, warner bros being the one to come out on top.

Mise en scene-

Within Casablanca mise en scene the set is designed to be very theatrical as at this time this was seen as real cinema. within the sets it was filled with plants and dangly lamps. with the use of painting with light the scenes where filled with shadows creating it to almost seem as though the characters are trapped, alluding to them being trapped in Casablanca.

This picture encapsulates Casablanca’s mise en scene with the set, it looks theatrical which was intend at the time of making, as it was seen as “real cinima”. It has got plants and shutters to create shadows and meaning with light.

Editing-

The pacing of this movie is to make it feel as though it is short, however it is just he style of editing used. The toes from each shot are blended well by the editor though this the editor gives glances of movement, an example of this is the “22 scene” where rick is trying to help the woman’s husband gather enough money to leave Casablanca showing moments of emotion through rick.

In this scene the camera cuts quickly to show everyone’s facial expressions.

Sound-

Music in Casablanca was constructed by Max Steiner, his music score was iconic to the film. the sound was dramatic and sometimes patriotic (seen in the singing scene) but the backing track of the film “time goes by” was originally not wanted to be in the film by Steiner however Ingrid refused and believed it should be in there. Within Steiner’s input to Casablanca it would be almost impossible to watch due to how much affect and emotion the score adds.

This scene where Elsa askes Sam to play “time goes by” in the introduction the the films score. This scene is iconic for its way of being shot beautifully paired with the melodic music. Giving a perfect basis for rick and Elsa’s meet cute.

Aesthetics-

The aesthetic through the film was tropical and forest-like, to the way Ingrid dresses and spoke to the set and to the extras the movie was supposed to be seen as exotic. In Ricks Americana there are plants covering the place and steam is produced from the bar to insinuate heat an tropical aspects. The use of lighting in this black and white film was crucial to create meaning and to add to the film noir aesthetic of it. the use of dark an light helps the story string along giving meanings behind the light and dark in some moments.

This scene depicts Casablanca’s aesthetic scene perfectly. Tt shows the elements the use of shadows and light adds to the film, the palm leaves reflecting in the back links to the “tropical” “exotic” theme.

Representation-

There is a surprising amount of different kinds of people in Casablanca due to the nature of the story. the cast and extras where all most likely immigrants from around the world and where essentially playing roles similar to their personal experiences. The representation of women in the film are conventional to the time it was made, there is very little black representation in the film with there being only one black character, Sam. However black representation at all was out of the ordinary for this day and age therefore it is breaking the stereotype.

Political and social contexts-

Casablanca hit a nerve for American audiences as it made them see light, victory. after Casablanca was made there was an invasion of Casablanca therefore this movies timing was vital as that was the talk of the news. there was a clear sense of patriotism through the film for French and American audiences.

The Stars

Humphrey bogart- rick Blaine. his movies before Casablanca where all mostly gangster films. he had worked with warner bros before and they where building him to be a leading man, however he had never played a role like this before.

Ingrid Bergman – in Hollywood it wasn’t common foreign actors staring in movies however they wanted their love interest to be exotic and interesting for the American audience. she was 26 when she was cast, her first American role was a remake of a film she already did which was Swedish.

Paul Heinreid-

Paul Henreid was an Austrian-American actor, director, producer, and writer. He is best remembered for several film roles during the Second World War, including Capt. Karl Marsen in Night Train to Munich, Victor Laszlo in Casablanca and Jerry Durrance in Now, Voyager.

Claude Rains-

 British American film actor, his acting debut was “the invisible man”.

Conrad Veidt-

German- British actor, previously famous from roles like “different from others” and the man who laughs.

 

Sydney Greenstreet-

his acting career began at age 61 his breakthrough role being the maltase falcon (1941).

peter Lorre-

He was a Hungarian-American actor who starred in “The Maltese falcon” , being his acting debut.

S.Z Sakall-

Hungarian actor who’s first big role was Casablanca. Moved from Hungary to America to pursue acting.

Madeleine Lebeau-

American film actress her most notable role was Casablanca

Arthur “Dooley” Wilson-

He was an American singer and actor with his most prominent role in Casablanca as Sam. he toured the world playing music in London and pars.

Joy Page-

She was an American actor her most famous role being Casablanca.

John Qualen-

John Qualen was an American character actor of Norwegian heritage who specialized in Scandinavian roles.

Key Actors

Humphrey Bogart – Rick Blaine

Bogart was on contract with Warner Brothers, and initially they didn’t want the role of Blaine to go to Bogart, having Ronald Reagan in mind instead. But the role was written with Bogart in mind, and the producers fought to have him in the film, and eventually succeeded in having his inclusion. Bogart made his cinematic breakthrough a year before he starred in Casablanca, in a film called High Sierra (1941), and he became even more famous as the lead in The Maltese Falcon (1941). He used to play bad guys or Private Detectives (“Tough Without A Gun”). His role in these noir detective stories probably influenced his casting as the coarse, blunt Rick Blaine, as well as his know roles as a leading man, though this performance made his future roles more heroic.

Ingrid Bergman – Ilsa Lund

Bergman was an actor of Swedish nationality. She was originally featured in Swedish and German films, typically in dramas such as 1935’s Ocean Breakers and 1939’s Only One Night, before being presented to American audiences reprising a lead role in the American remake of Swedish film Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939), the original of which she also starred in. Originally, producers were worried her name was too German, and about the fact that she couldn’t really speak English, yet she was accepted in her first American role with no changes. She was completely devoted to her work on the films she worked on. She was an activist, protesting racial segregation in America and travelling to Alaska and other parts of Europe to entertain troops after the war ended. Before Casablanca, her most well known role, she appeared in MGM films Rage In Heaven (1941) and Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941). Her casting in Casablanca was influenced by her foreign background and her well-known beauty.

Paul Henreid – Victor Lazlo

Henried was Austrian-American, and also worked in Hollywood as a director and producer as well as an actor. His first credited American role was in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939). His other big hit aside from Casablanca, Now Voyager (1942), was released just a month before Casablanca. He escaped from the Nazi regime to the UK and America after being designated as an official enemy of the third Reich, and had his acting career in these countries being vouched for by The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligiri star and Casablanca‘s villain Conrad Viedt. While he was in Nazi Germany, he was not allowed to act due to his father being born Jewish.

Claude Rains – Captain Louis Renault

Rains was born in London and was most known for acting in a lot of the Warner Bros. Classic Monster movies, such as The Wolf Man (1941) and the lead role as Dr. Jack Griffin in his American debut film The Invisible Man (1933), as well as starring alongside fellow Casablanca star Paul Henried in Now Voyager (1942). He worked from 1931 all the way through to 1965, only two years before his death, and was a very prominent actor for Warner Bros., appearing as important roles in many very popular films.

Conrad Viedt – Major Heinrich Strasser

Viedt was a very popular German actor who most prominently appeared in horror films in antagonistic roles, famously in The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligiri (1920) and The Man Who Laughs (1928), as well as other villainous roles like Ivan The Terrible in Waxworks (1924) and Rasputin in Rasputin: Demon With Women (1932), though very rarely he did play the hero character such as Phileas Fogg in Around The World In 80 Days (1919). When the Nazis began censoring the film industry and Viedt was forced to state his race on a questionnaire presented to everyone in the film industry, he answered “Jew” in solidarity to his Jewish wife, even though he himself wasn’t. He then left Germany with his wife to work in England. In Casablanca, the second last film he featured in before his death in 1943 and the last film he featured in that was released in his lifetime, he sticks to his villainous roles as he plays antagonist Nazi officer Heinrich Strasser. Viedt was most likely cast in this role due to his career playing villains and his German heritage.

Sydney Greenstreet – Signor Ferrari

Greenstreet didn’t start acting on screen until he was 61 in the role of Kasper Gutman in The Maltese Falcon (1941) alongside Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre, though he did appear in a few stage productions before this. Casablanca was the fourth film Greenstreet was in, as Rick’s rival bar owner Signor Ferrari, and he continued to have a long career in film until 1949, where then switched to radio drama series The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe in the titular role from 1950-1951, until his retirement from acting, followed by his death from complications with diabetes and Bright’s disease in 1954. I believe Greenstreet was cast in this role due to his elderly, “portly businessman” appearance fitting the role of Ferrari.

Peter Lorre – Ugarte

Lorre was a Hungarian character actor, and well known for playing timid yet devious characters, and appeared in a lot of crime films such as alongside Casablanca co-stars Bogart and Greenstreet in The Maltese Falcon (1941), and others such as Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) and Mad Love (1935), as well as starring as the main character in the 1935 adaptation of Crime And Punishment and as the leading Mr. Moto in the Mr. Moto film franchise (1937-1939). Originally starring in Austrian and German films, he made is debut in American film in 1934. During his American career he was often typecast as a “sinister foreigner”, playing antagonistic roles. His role as Ugarte in Casablanca is a small but important one, as Ugarte is an American in Casablanca who sells letters of transit to refugees. He provides Rick with the Letters Of Transit (which he obtained by murdering two German couriers on a train), and then is subsequently executed. This sketchy black-market dealer character aligns with the characters Lorre usually played.

S.Z Sakall – Carl

Sakall was a Jewish Hungarian character actor. He appeared in various Hungarian stage productions and films from the 1910s to the 1920s and was a star. When Hungary joined the Axis powers in WW2 he emigrated to America and became an actor there. A lot of his family were killed in Nazi concentration camps. His first American role was 1940’s It’s A Date, though his first big hit was 1941’s Ball Of Fire. He was very well known for appearing in light-hearted romance movies, like the German Two Hearts Waltz In Time (1930), Must We get Divorced? (1933), and The Devil And Miss Jones (1941). His career in supporting roles in these romances is possibly what led to his casting as the waiter Carl in Casablanca.

Madeleine Lebeau – Yvonne

Lebeau was a French actress who fled Paris with her Jewish husband Marcel Dalio when the Second World War started and found an acting career in America. Her first film role was in the French film Girls In Distress (1939) in an uncredited role as a student, before she had to flee France. On her passage to America, she was stranded in Mexico when the Chilean visas purchased by her and her husband turned out to be fakes. She learned English during a 7 week stay on a Portuguese ship looking for port. Her Hollywood debut was in 1941’s Hold back The Dawn. Originally having a bigger part in Casablanca as Blaine’s discarded fling Yvonne, each rewrite of the script made her part smaller. Her standout scene is when she is shown during the chorus singing the French national anthem to drown out the Germans, where her face is shown in a close up with tears on her face, and subsequently cries “Vive la france! Vive la liberte!”. This scene probably meant a lot to her, as he could relate to the feeling of French patriotism. She was the last surviving credited cast member of Casablanca as of 2008, until her death in Spain in 2016.

Dooley Wilson – Sam

Wilson was born in Texas as Arthur Wilson, being given the nickname “Dooley” after a popular performance of his where he did whiteface and played an irishman singing a song called “Mr Dooley”. He was a musician as well as an actor, singing the song “As Time Goes By” himself, though he was not a pianist, so the piano music was played offscreen by someone else. He obtained a contract with Paramount Pictures after a breakthrough role as Little Joe in Broadway production Cabin In The Sky. His first film role was in boxing movie Keep Punching (1939). Casablanca was his sixth film role, as bar pianist Sam, who performs music for patrons of Rick’s and has been friends with Rick since Paris. Wilson was probably cast in this role due to his past as a singing performer.

Joy Page – Annina Brandel

Page was born to Mexcan-American silent movie star Don Alvarado and a mother descended from Russian-jewish refugees. Her parents divorced when she was 8 and her mother remarried to the head of Warner Brothers, Jack Warner, when Joy was 12. Warner did not approve of Joy’s interest in acting. When Joy got the script to Casablanca, her first movie role, she thought the film was old fashioned and cliché, but still she obtained the part of married Bulgarian refugee Annina on her own, and her stepfather reluctantly agreed for her to be in the film. She was one of only three American born actors on the film, alongside Bogard and Wilson. Her stepfather banned her from signing her on any contracts with Warner Brothers, so she went on to appear in films from other studios. She married actor William T. Orr in 1945, who later went on to become an executive for Warner Bros. She was the second surviving member of Casablanca alongside Lebeau, until her death in 2008.

John Qualen – Berger

Qualen was a character actor of Norwegian heritage who often used accents, usually Scandinavian accents, in his roles. in his career he appeared in over 100 movies and also featured on television. He gained his start in acting as part of the Chautaqua circuit troupe, before forming his own theatre troupe, The Qualen Concert Company, with his wife. He gained a big break in Broadway in 1929 as a Swedish janitor in the performance Street Scene, a role he recreated in his first film role, which was a film version of the the play. He became a part of director John Ford’s stock crew after being cast in his film Arrowsmith (1931). His role in Ford’s crew lasted all the way through to the 60s. Two years before he was cast in Casablanca, he featured in hit film The Grapes Of Wrath (1940). For his role as Berger, a revolutionary pretending to be a jewellery salesman, in Casablanca, he used a slight Scandinavian accent, that being his most used accent in his acting gimmick.

Mise-En-Scene

The setting uses lots of things that gives off interesting looking shadows, like shutters, the fancy table lamps, ceiling fan etc.

The film was constructed on a studio stage and not on location (due to the war going on). This was an opportunity for the set designers to create a fantasy-like world of Casablanca, filling it with exotic trees and strange architecture that created a place where the audience could get lost in.

The characters dressed abnormally well, adding to the fantasy feel of the film, and even refugees from the law were dressed in suits and ties and beautiful dresses. The good guys were dressed in light colours (e.g Rick Blaine’s white suit) and the bad guys in dark colours (e.g Strasser’s Nazi uniform).

Editing

Casablanca uses the standard “Invisible editing” style of Hollywood at the time. This style attempted to fully immerse the audience and make cuts seem invisible, presenting the film as one smooth continuous story.

The editing in Casablanca is also good at creating engaging sequences, like the scene where Rick rigs the roulette table so Annina and her husband can buy a visa to escape Casablanca. The scene is low stakes – It’s Rick’s establishment, so he can’t get in trouble for cheating, and even if the husband loses, that couple aren’t main characters. But the quick cuts of Rick to chips to wheel to the husband winning repeated twice creates a quick, engaging scene that goes quickly and keeps the audience invested

Representation in Casablanca

The majority of the cast of Casablanca were immigrants. 34 different nationalities were displayed in the film. There were only three Americans on the cast: Bogart, Page and Wilson. The rest were European refugees, from Germany, Hungary, Austria, France etc., all countries affected by Nazi invasions.

Aesthetics in Casablanca

The film is not intended to be realistic. It looks like it’s a stage play, and the sets fit the American ideas of what Casablanca, a country exotic and far away to them, would be, even if it is boring in reality. The characters also wear impossibly good, stylish clothing, which again is not questioned by the audience as it fits the world created within the film.

The tone of Casablanca is for the majority of the film quite bleak. The Nazi’s are all over the city, people are being executed everywhere, Rick is a no-nonsense man who seems to constantly be annoyed by everything and Victor is in danger of being captured and killed. However, the film ends on a surprisingly positive note where Rick lets Ilsa go, the Nazi commander is shot and killed, Victor escapes and Rick leaves Casablanca with Louis. It almost feels like a fantasy, fairy-tale ending, which fits with the films storybook aesthetic.

Themes and Issues

Isolationism – a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.

What was America’s view on World War 2? – America initially wanted to remain neutral (96% of polled American citizens believed America should stay neutral, and WW2 was referred to as “that phony war in Europe”), although they did supply military supplies as well as other assistance to the allies. They officially joined the war, however, when they themselves were attacked at Pearl Harbour. This is similar to the character of Rick, who initially claims to be neutral in all cases, despite helping resistance fighters before moving to Casablanca, but then sides with the Allies and fights against the Nazis once the war puts Ilsa in danger.

Sound

The song “As Time Goes By”, though not written for Casablanca, became synonymous with the film. Written by Herman Hupfeild for a Broadway musical, it was repurposed for the film and practically became the theme song for the film. Max Steiner, the composer, was not a fan of the song, but since they couldn’t reshoot the scene where Ilsa asks Sam to play the song due to Bergman having her hair cut for another role, he had to use it. He implemented the tune of the song into the underscore of the film and it became a leitmotif for romance in the film

Another song featured in the film is the French national anthem “Les Marseillaise”. This scene is one of the emotional high points of the movie, as the entire bar joins in singing the song, drowning out the Germans singing their own national anthem. In this instance, music is used to represent rebellion and defiance in the people, and how there is still hope in the victims of the Nazi regime

The film also has a constant orchestral underscore to the movie, composed by Max Steiner, giving it a more “epic” feel and giving the emotions of the movie more depth, while also adding to the theatrical feel of the movie.

Political and Social Context

Allies – Great Britain, U.S.A, U.S.S.R

Axis – Germany, Italy, Japan

France – Originally an Allied power, surrendered to Germany. Some generals and soldiers still decide to fight on (called the Free French – Allied). Vichy France was a territory of France that was run by the Germans. Vichy France runs Casablanca (Morocco is part of French territory)

War starts in 1939. America joined the war in 1941 due to Japan bombing Pearl Harbour.

The cinema had “movie reels” before the movies started, at this time of what was happening in the war. This was a primary way that the American population gained information on the war.

Operation Torch – Operation Torch (8-16 November 1942) was the Allied invasion of French North Africa. It allowed America to begin the fight against the Axis powers while Britain could secure victory in North Africa.

Film “captured the zeitgeist” – Casablanca was all over the news and in popular culture due to Operation Torch and the conference. The film premiered November 26 1942 instead of the anticipated release date of early 1943 in order to capitalise off of the attention the name Casablanca was getting. The film was released only 10 days after Operation Torch ended.

Casablanca Conference – The conference was a meeting between American President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Casablanca about strategizing for the next steps in the war on January 14-24, 1943.

Casablanca went into general release on January 23, 1943, just before the end of the Casablanca Conference, allowing the film to continue profiting off of the news.

Serendipity – luck, chance

Casablanca First Response:

Casablanca (Curtiz,1943)

CRITICAL SCORE: 7/10, I would rate Casablanca this because I thought the story line was clearly thought out and the way the character portrayed themselves to the audience created an emotional view. I enjoyed the black and white film as it created a contrast between other films i have seen. The love story was also easy to connect with.

Memorable Scene: I think the most memorable scene was when Ilsa Lund was seen intruding into Rick’s room, this happened near to the beginning. The reason I think this is the most memorable scene is because this to me is where you see her love really come out. The was they talk to each other, but both know they can’t be together.

Key Actors:

Humphrey bogart:

From America. Bogart was seen in gangster movies, “tough without a gun”. Warner Brothers built him up to be seen as a romantic leading man. Bogart was on a contract with warner brother, he was a rising star but he has never played leading men before. Producer knew he wanted Bogart since day 1 of writing and didn’t want anyone else. Bogart was seen to be the most vulnerable character in the film as he has lost his love, differentiates this character to all the rest he has played. previous films he has been in include the Maltese Falcon.

Ingrid Bregman:

From Sweden. Didn’t originally want a foreign actress. she wasn’t just beautiful and a good actress but she has an exotic view about her. she was 26 when she was cast. had experience in Sweden (where she’s from) Casablanca happened early within her carer. One other American film she was starred in was one that was ordinally filmed in swedish.

Michael Curtiz: Was the director. Has filmed 173 films for Warner brothers. Ronald Reagan was thought to be Rick but Curtiz knew he wanted Bogart. He has knowledge about her it is to be a refugee. majority of the extras are actually immigrants themselves/refugee, have experienced real life events themselves. Huge amount of empathy was used to create big crowd scenes. He is from Hungary.

Paul Henried: Originally from Trieste, Italy, but moved to America in 1940 (when he was 32 years old). previous films he had been in was Now, Voyager and Dead Ringer. Paul Henreid, perhaps most famous for his roles in Casablanca and Now, Voyager became a star at Warner Brothers during World War II, as the exotic lead with the European accent.

Claude Rains: Originally from Clapham town, London. He was to America in 1912 (when he was 23 years old). Previous films he has been in were The Invisible Man and Phantom Of the Opera.

Conrad Veidt: Originally from Berlin, Germany, but moved to America in 1941 (when he was 48 years old). Previous films he had been in were The Man Who Laughs and The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari.

Sydney Greenstreet: Originally from England, he became an American citizen in 1925 (when he was 36 years old). Previous films he has been in is Passage to Marseille and The Maltese Falcon. Passage to Marseille. Greenstreet actually becoming screen team with Peter Lorre and ended up being in nine movies together.

Peter Lorre: Originally from, Ružomberok Town in Slovakia and moved to America in 1940 (when he was 36 years old). Precious films he has been in include M and Passage to Marseille which aslo featured Greenstreet. Lorre actually became a screen team with Greenstreet and were in nine movies together.

S.Z Sakall: Originally from Budapest, Hungary and moved to America in 1940 (when he was 57 years old). previous films he has been in include Lullaby Of Broadway and Christmas in Connecticut.

Madelaine Lebeau: Originally from Antony, France and moved to America around the 1930s-40s. Previous films she has been in include The Country I Come From and The Parisian.

Dooley Wilson: Originally from Tyler, Texas United States and stayed in America. Previous films he has been in include Cabin In The Sky and Stormy weather. His real name is Arthur and Dooley was just a nickname.

Joy Page: Originally from Los Angeles, California, United States and she stayed in America. previous films she has been in include Bullfighter and the lady and Kismet.

John Qualen: Originally from Vancouver, Canada. Previous films he has been in include Angel Over Broadway and Our daily Bread.

They didn’t know what the ending was going to be till the day of filming.

Hal Wallis was the producer of Casablanca (come up with story ideas and hire writers or choose and secure rights to scripts). He made changes like casting Ingrid Bergman as he knew the American audience could sympathise more with it.

Mise-en-scene:

Costume: Every character in the film has their own colour pallet, pale colours represented hero’s. Bergman’s hat became iconic. The costumes are simple especially Ilsa to create innocence and youth.

This picture of Ilsa shows her white costume, this really signifies to the audience her innocence and purity.

Location: Casablanca was not filmed in morocco, it was filmed in the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, with the exception of one sequence at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles which was the end scene (airport).

This the the one scene that filmed in Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, this happens right at the end of the film. Only scene shot that wasn’t in a back lot.

Set: Carl Jules Weyl was the set designer for Casablanca, he didn’t want the set to be ‘natural’, wanted it to be theatrical. As it wasn’t filmed in actual morocco the set had to be over the top with exoticness, however people have noticed that it wasn’t a correct view of how Casablanca really is.

This shot is taken in Ricks Café, It shows the heightened view of the Moroccan style (exotic) with the plants and the stylised lamp shades to match the culture.

Props: Minimalistic props were used, in Ricks Café there were chairs, tables and Moroccan lampshades to keep reminding to the audience where it’s set.

Editing:

Owen Marks, the editing shows there is a constant entry (always someone knew entering cameras view). Cuts suggest to the audience who the character truly is, e.g. Rick helping out the husband and wife who need money.

This sequence is taken place in Ricks Café when he is helping the wife and husband win the game to get money. Owen Marks has used many cuts during this scene to capture everyone’s emotions and reactions.

Sound:

Max Steiner composed the music. All music was noble and patriotic, every time the Germans enter heavy music is used in the background to represent there character. The song ‘time goes by’ wasn’t written for Casablanca, throughout the film this song is used a classical motif and is a backing track/overture in many scenes.

Ascetics:

Tropical features are used to create an exotic feel to the set. they wanted it to feel theatrical.

Lighting: during movie lots of elements for light and shadow are used. during scenes between Rick and Ilsa the lighting goes darker to create a different atmosphere and also symbolise love.

Themes and Issues:

isolationism: National policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries.

what was America’s view on ww2?

At the start of ww2 in 1939 96% of Americans do not want to fight and stay neutral (they see it as a phony war). Roosevelt declared that while the United States would remain neutral in law, he could “not ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. ”The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, ended the debate over American intervention in both the Pacific and European theatres of World War II.

Rick relates to this as he is not willing to fight at the beginning of the film, he is in Casablanca to make money (he owns Rick’s café and is making money off the refugees). However at the end of the film he shoots a German general. He is a cynic at the start of the film (a person who’s only interested in themselves) a stern business man, but at the end he is also patriotic (showing love for your country and being proud of it), a sentimental.

Representation:

In this film the Germans can be seen as threatening as there is heavy drumming sounds as they enter in every scene, this shows they are dangerous. Women in this film are seen to have less power, always have to be by their husbands sides, can be seen as fragile and dependent. People of colour aren’t associated in this movie apart from Dooley Wilson. It is obvious men take higher authority in this film as they are the most dominant/popular characters.

This is a German plane landing who can be seen to the audience as a negative representation. There is deep ringing music over the top that can also suggest this.

Script:

Script lands at Warner Brothers studios the day after pearl harbour happened. also Casablanca was one of 50 films being made At Warner Brothers, due to these circumstances this film could have flopped. Allies land in Casablanca just after the film is released.

Political and Social contexts:

Allies- Great Britain, USA, USSR (Russia

Axis- Germany, Italy, Japan

France:

At the start of WW2 they started off as the Free French (allies). French soldiers (airman’s and generals) fighting for the allies.

-Free France: (Vichy France) are working for the Germans

at the start of the war Vichy France is in control of Casablanca.

Casablanca which is in Morocco is part of the French empire.

Dates:

1939-ww2 starts

America joins the war after pearl harbour bombing (by japan) on December 7th 1941.

1941-usa joins war

Operation Torch– Invasion of North Africa by the allies (essentially the Americans and the British), transporting 35,000 U.S. Army troops and 250 tanks in complete secrecy 4,000 miles through U-boat–infested waters and landing them, at night, on a hostile shore. This happened November 8, 1942.

Opening World Premier Of Casablanca: Released in New York November 26, 1942. In the cinema they have movie reels (short news) before the film you’d go to watch. Americans learn about the war from newspaper radio and film. Movie theatres at the time Casablanca was coming out would have to show it getting invaded. January 23rd, 1943.

Casablanca Conference– The Casablanca Conference was a meeting between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the city of Casablanca, Morocco that took place from January 14–24, 1943. They used this conference to plan the next stages of the war against the Axis.

“capturing the zeitgeist”– The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.

Serendipity: luck

Extra info:

Warner Brothers studio, they have a house still that have the gritty stories and are known as the gangster studios.

In Casablanca 34 different nationalities are in the film.

Studio film, contacted actors.

Bergman wasn’t first choice of Ilsa Wallis had control of casting because he is the producer.

Film is like a piece of propaganda should side with Rick and it is all about Americans in ww2.

Michal Curtiz (1942)

Critical score 9/10

The film was set during WW2 and portrayed the struggles of people on the hunt for a better and safer life, it was refreshing to see a wartime piece that wasn’t centred around the view of the Germans or British. The movie also had a strong element of romance which was executed very well.

Stand out scene:

The stand out scene for me is when Ilsa and Rick see each other again, it is a key moment in the film and highlights the feelings of love and longing returning between Rick and Ilsa, the audience can tell they know each other without them saying it.

Rating: 6/10

I can see why Casablanca is enjoyed by a large number of Film fans, the cinematography and lighting is great and definitely one of the stage out aspects of it. I personally couldn’t get into the story that much.

Stand out scene:

I think the stand out scene for me was when Ilsa asks Sam to play ‘As Time Goes By’. I think it is a good insight to her character and how she is still attached to her past with Rick.

9/10

Amazing film. I highly recommend it to watch. The romance mixed in with war is very gripping. A scene I remember is when it was a flash back from Casablanca to Paris. The editing towards this section is smooth and understandable.

Humphrey Bogart – Rick Blaine

Rick Blaine was a famous American actor who starred in Casablanca. He was cast to play Rick because he had played a villain in previous movies and Ricks character is villain like until the end of the movie where he helps his lover flee the country.

Ingrid Bergman – Ilsa Lund

Ilsa was casted when the writers thought about having a lead female character who was not from America because they wanted to showcase many people all over Europe wanted to escape Europe and go to America. 

Paul Henreid – Victor Laszlo

Paul Henreid was an Austrian-American actor, director and writer. He is most remembered for several film roles during the Second World War. Like ‘Now Voyager’

Peter Lorre – Ugarte

Lorre was Hungarian but born in America. He was a picture actor who was normally portrayed as a sinister but soft voiced villain in thrillers. From 1941-1946 he worked at Warner Bros.

Claude Rains – Captain Louis Renualt

Claude Rains was a British actor who was best known for his different voice style and a range of different roles ranging from villains to distinguished gentlemen. Roles that he was recognised for are The Invisible Man which was made in 1933. 

Sydney Greenstreet – Signor Ferrari

He was an English actor.

S.Z. Sakall – Carl

Dooley Wilson- Sam

Mise En Scene

The set design in Casablanca is a blend of style and storytelling that transports the audiences to an exotic and tense atmosphere because of World War II. At the heart of the film is Ricks Cafe American, a posh space featuring grand architecture, arched doorways, flowery patterns, warm and dim lighting that creates a romantic yet mysterious aroma. The streets of Casablanca, recreated on soundstages and backlots, capture the vibrant hustle of the city with market stalls, winding alleys, and shadowy lighting that makes the film more immersive because of the amazing sets that had been made.

The costumes in Casablanca are very elegant and reflect the personalities and roles of the characters. Sharp suits and uniforms convey authority, while soft dresses highlight grace and calmness. Evening wear contrasts with the simpler clothes of refugees, emphasizing the film’s themes of class, love, and tension between the Nazi officials and Locals.

Editing in Casablanca

What I noticed with the editing in Casablanca is that there are a lot of close up shots of the faces of the characters and MCU shots of the surrounding area to get a feel of the set designs. There was a couple long shots of when Victor Laslo leaves his hotel room and the camera is still up in the hotel room window to see him walk off. The effect on the spectator from these shots makes the spectator seem as if they are in the film with the characters. At some points in the film it almost feels like a play because of the swift character changes in each scene.

Sound

Diagetic

One of the most iconic examples is the music performed at Rick’s Café Americain is when Sam is playing the piano and singing ‘As Time Goes By.’ This song evokes the romance between the main characters but also serves as a recurring motif that evokes nostalgia and heartbreak. The ambient noise of the bustling café, including clinking glasses, murmured conversations, and laughter, creates an immersive and lively atmosphere. Other uses of diegetic sound include the patriotic singing scene where the locals of Rick’s Café sing a patriotic French song called ‘La Marseillaise’ to drown out the German soldiers song. This was a very important scene in the movie symbolizing resistance to the unwelcome Germans.

Non-Diegetic

Non-diegetic sound in Casablanca helps set the mood and guide how the audience feels during important scenes. plays in the background to make moments feel more romantic, nostalgic, or dramatic. For example, the music gets louder and more emotional during tense or heroic parts of the story, helping show the importance of what is happening. It connects the audience to the characters and their struggles without needing more acting.

Recurring Motif – any recurring element

Historical and Political Contexts to Casablanca

Allies– Britain, USA, USSR

Axis– Germany, Japan, Italy

France– The Free French are still part of the Allies.

France was an Allie at the beginning of the war until it was invaded and surrendered by Germany. The country was then split between the German occupied zone. The other half was a free side know as Vichy France. Vichy France controlled Casablanca in Morocco.

America Joins the war in 1941 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour in December 7, 1941. The Japanese did this to eliminate the American pacific fleet of naval ships. They killed 2300 Americans and sank 7 ships.

Operation Torch

The film captured the zeitgeist of American patriotism. Operation Torch was a compromise operation that met the British objective of securing victory in North Africa while allowing American armed forces the opportunity to begin their fight against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on a limited scale. It was to take the attention off the USSR at the time to open up 2 fronts.

Zeitgeist – the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.

The Casablanca Conference was a meeting between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the city of Casablanca, Morocco that took place from January 14–24, 1943. While Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin received an invitation, he was unable to attend because the Red Army was engaged in a major offensive against the German Army at the time. The most notable developments at the Conference were the finalization of Allied strategic plans against the Axis powers in 1943, and the promulgation of the policy of ‘unconditional surrender’.

Americans are finding out about the war with radio, newspaper and especially film. For Casablanca to come out at the time of the invasion of Casablanca was empowering for the Allied civilians at home.

Themes and Issues

Isolationism – What was Americas view on World War 2.

At first the Americans did not want to get themselves into another European war. After WW1 the USA joined late but lost hundreds of thousands of solders. The American people at the time we against joining another European war. At the start of WW2 96% of Americans wanted to stay out the war.

In context to the film Rick was the American bar owner and was not getting involved with any of the altercations until his bar was closed down then he was heavily involved in Victor Lazlos escape.

Aesthetics

he realism in Casablanca comes shows a authentic portrayal for the civilians complexities in World War II. Casablanca was a place for refugees escaping Nazi occupied Europe. Although the romance and drama are prioritised in the film. The film conveys love, loss, and sacrifice during a time of global conflict. The ending of the film where Ricks escape are set aside for the greater good, reinforces the film’s connection to the harsh realities of the world at the time.

Representations

Women and Men

In Casablanca Women I would argue that women are presented with the same status as men with the two being just as important as the other. For example when Ilsa and Lazlo came to Casablanca and the German general invited them two to a meeting even though it was Victor Lazlo they where worried about.

Authority Figures

People like Major Heinrich Strasser as the German general and Captain Louis Renualt chief of police are conveyed as the people who run Casablanca. Everything goes by them two and they are seen as confident and almost feared of. Especially Major Heinrich Strasser because he had invaded France where most the people in Casablanca was from. The Casablanca population where mainly French because they where escaping the German war machine that had invaded France. They where able to travel to Casablanca because i was part of the French empire and apart of Vichy France where there was no Germans. Just Vichy French authorities that worked with the Germans like Captain Louis Renualt.

People of Colour

In the film there is not many people of colour except Sam the pianist. There is not much to say about him. He works in Ricks bar playing the Piano. He came to Casablanca with Rick to also escape the Germans.

Critical Score: 9.3/10

This film is most certainly a masterpiece of film-making and one of the best films of the era of classical Hollywood. It certainly uses the idea of ‘invisible editing’ to full effect, as watching it you do truly feel like you’re in Casablanca and not on a studio lot in Hollywood. Also, the camerawork is simply sublime, truly adding to the immersiveness of watching this film. Furthermore, the film’s story and script is extremely well written, as not only is there a plethora of famous and rememberable and lines but watching it you do definitely care about what’s going to happen the characters in the film, as they are all so well written. Though the acting in the film may be seen as overdone and exaggerated at times, I believe it is some of the best of the era, especially Humphrey Bogart as the brooding bar owner Rick Blaine, who’s performance is truly a treat to watch for the viewer. And finally, I think another element of the film that is truly masterful is it’s soundtrack, composed by Max Steiner, who also composed the soundtrack for King Kong (1933) and Gone With The Wind (1939).

Memorable Scene

The most memorable scene/sequence for me is when Rick flashbacks to his and Ilsa’s time that they shared in Casablanca. It is so memorable for me because when I was watching for the first time I found it simply amazing to finally find out what happened between Rick and Ilsa in Paris. Another reason why I find it so good is because there are so many brilliant, well planned moments that tell the viewers Rick’s desire to still be Ilsa in Paris, and how he desires to go back to those times and still be with her. This is evidenced by the parallel drawn by the director/producer when in the flashback Ilsa knocks over the bottle of champagne, which is then mirrored by Rick knocking over his bottle of whiskey. This shows to the audience that Rick most definitely longs for those times back in Paris, as well as drawing attention to the depression and sadness Ilsa’s rejection caused him, as in this sequence he is pictured drinking whiskey alone.

Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942)

Critical Score- 9/10  I gave the film this rating because I think that it was unexpectedly enjoyable as it was comedic with genuinely funny moments, the characters (despite a little flawed) were good to watch, and I think the narrative story of the film stayed very focused. But mostly the dialogue in this film stood out to me; it was sharp and every word mattered and added something new.

Memorable Scene   For me, I think the one scene that stood out particularly was the scene where Ilsa asks Sam to play her a song that related her to Rick. I think that it was just a very well-done scene, and not only was the score incredibly beautiful but it is an extremely iconic scene too.

Casablanca (1942)
Dir. Michael Curtiz

8/10 – I really enjoyed the film Casablanca; the story was told very effectively and I see why it is a beloved film. It was interesting to see a wartime film that is set in a different perspective than that from the Americans, British or Germans, as well as hearing many different languages. I enjoyed the fact that they implemented comedy throughout the film as well.

The most memorable scene for me would be when Rick and Ilsa meet again for the first time since Paris—the audience doesn’t know that they had met previously but the acting shows their longing and desire to show that they know each other.