76 years ago today, “Casablanca” premiered at New York City’s iconic Hollywood Theatre. The World War 2 based love story has since gone on to be one of the most revered films of all time. But does it deserve the accolades? The film was a success in its cinematic endeavors; winning 3 Academy Awards including the coveted Best Picture at the then 16th Academy Awards (we’re on to 91 in a few months) and cementing icons Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as all-time great talents.
As a history fan alone, its a great treat to watch these titans of Hollywood as they were in their heyday. Humphrey Bogart may very well be cinemas first A-list movie star. He was 43 during “Casablanca” and in the prime of his short life – he would pass away just 14 years later, taking with him his enigmatic reputation.
The horrors of World War 2 are a central focus, as Europeans attempting to flee the clutches of the Axis Powers make route to the coastal city of Casablanca in hopes of securing air escape to the United States. We get a firsthand glimpse of the atrocities of the German occupation throughout the story. Nothing is overly gratuitous, but the urgency and present day backdrop of the war are vivid. The mostly international cast is made up of many extras who were real life refugees in the States, exiled from their besieged European countries by the German invasion, and because of this, you’ll forget that it was filmed in a California studio and not on location in French Morocco.
Rick Blaine (Bogart) is an expat from New York City hiding out in Casablanca for unknown nefarious reasons. Blaine runs the club Rick’s Café Américain, and secretly aids those wishing to flee to America – for the right price of course. “I don’t mind a parasite.” He scolds a cohort early on when his payment is insufficient. “But I object to a cut rate one.”
Blaine is a gruff sort; he’s a dapper gent who is first shown chain smoking and calmly studying a chess board amidst the packed nightclub. We can tell Rick Blaine doesn’t take lip from anyone, and Bogart transforms himself into the sheer coolness of the character, dropping priceless one-liners and sharpshooting Third Reich officers and members of the Gestapo without a shred of fear. The word ensemble isn’t really an option. Humphrey Bogart is the star and deserves to be. All scenes, and all other characters run through Bogie.
“Casablanca” isn’t as much of a film as its a story, and war aside, love is the key component. When Rick’s former flame Ilsa Lund (Bergman) arrives unannounced, she brings with her a new husband named Victor Laszlo, and the ultimate love triangle is erected. Victor (Paul Henreid) is an enemy of the Reich, and Rick holds the key to their escape – an escape that will also mean losing Ilsa forever.
The rapport between Bogart and Bergman is terrific, and one that places them at the top of any list of fictitious passionate couples. Rick is torn up by Ilsa, and her sudden arrival floods him with past memories that he can’t escape from. Ilsa loves her current husband but still has feelings for the former flame. Most of us can doubtless sympathies with Rick, and understand his pent up feelings of rage at watching the woman he loves holding hands with another man.
While many World War 2 era movies have been made, its fascinating that “Casablanca” was done during the middle of the actual war. Hitler is still in power. Normandy Beach has not yet been stormed. The bombing of Pearl Harbor occurred just 11 months prior. There’s a movie element that keeps everything fun. “I remember every detail.” Rick tells Ilsa about their past love affair cut short by the Nazi invasion of Paris. “The Germans wore grey, you wore blue.” There’s also a brewing uncertainty in the world that makes for a truly riveting picture.
“Casablanca” is a great movie that’s well paced and excellently written. Its a classic and deservedly so. Humphrey Bogart shows you why 60 years after his death he is still one of the coolest cats to ever grace the big screen.
