Hey everyone! So, on this video, there might be some weird edits. I had a copyright ID claim on the content in this video, so I had to edit some things out. I am sorry for any inconvenience :) Hopefully, you'll still enjoy the video :)
@@cryptowerewolf1508 wow that is so beautiful! I could only imagine what that might have felt like in the cinema while they were singing the French national anthem! Thank you for sharing 😊
Wow! This is wonderful! I love hearing stories about people who actually lived through WW2, so thank you for sharing this! Your father’s a very brave man! Also thank you for watching 😊
It wasn't because of the production code. Casablanca was part of France, called "Vichy France", which allied with the Germans, rather than live under their oppression like in Paris. The French still had a semblance of control as far as law & order were concerned. Germans were big on following the rules as far as respecting their alliance with Vichy France, so Major Strasser couldn't legally arrest Victor Laszlo. This made for a peculiar and uncomfortable setting.
@@cryptowerewolf1508 Just knowing that a theater audience in Casablanca stood up and sang with the movie made me tear up. My dad was in the Pacific in the US Navy.
Also you want to know about "Vichy". The "Vichy Government" is the name of the French officials the Nazi's put in charge of France during their occupation during WWII. So when Claude Rains trashes that bottle of Vichy Water he's trashing the French who helped the Nazi's.
It got it's name from the town of Vichy was set up as the capital of the puppet government. Vichy was famous for centuries for its mineral springs with water that contained sodium bicarbonate, so much so that Vichy Water became a synonym for what we would call mineral water.
This also explains Lazlo being able to move freely without being arrested..Morocco was a French territory, governed by French authorities.. And political considerations effected Major Strausser’s actions towards him.. Meaning, they’d much rather catch him doing something illegal first, like trying to escape, before they gotta do what they gotta do.. Vichy is the baseline for a lot of the intrigue that’s happening at Rick’s Cafe.. The Ff (Free France) movement is in direct opposition to Vichy, and it also explains why Capt Renault has authority, but is kinda under the thumb of the Germans..
@@dsmdgold Because Vichy has the mineral springs it was a major spa with lots of hotels. That's why the French government moved there. There was room to house government departments.
“Back in the mid-2000s, Madonna wanted to remake the film with her as IIsa Lund and Ashton Kutcher as Rick. She pitched the idea to every studio but was unanimously rejected by every studio with one studio executive telling her the "film is deemed untouchable". She eventually scrapped the proposed project”.
When Madonna wants the perfect film to become about HER, it's time to shut the idea down for good and lock her in the looney bin before it even starts. She may have done some acting, but she's NO Ingrid Bergman and hahahah...Ashton Kutcher would "butcher" the part. Also to do this film in color is a big damned mistake. The character of Ilsa is vulnerable, I cannot picture Madonna getting away with that, putting her own egotistical spin on that character. Maybe Renee Zellweger could have done it. Better off never doing it. You cannot improve perfection.
Wow I am so glad I found this channel. Finally a person that reacts to classic movies!!! I was 16 when I saw my first classic movie, I'm 51 now and still discovering new great classics and watching the ones I've seen many many times as well. Enjoy!
That is the #1 reason I subscribe to Spectrum's Silver (Premium) digital cable package, which has Turner Classic Movies, where "old movies" and Foreign films are screened regularly.
“During the scene in which the "La Marseillaise" is sung over the German song ""Die Wacht am Rhein" ("The Watch on the Rhine"), many of the extras had real tears in their eyes as a large number were actual refugees from Nazi persecution in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and were overcome by the emotions the scene brought out. The scene was copied from Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion (1937), in which French soldiers in a German POW camp sing the song as a similar gesture of defiance. In that film the song was led by a prisoner who was in drag for a show the prisoners were putting on. The song was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria, and was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" ("War Song for the Rhine Army").")ht am Rhein" ("The Watch on the Rhine"), many of the extras had real tears in their eyes as a large number were actual refugees from Nazi persecution in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and were overcome by the emotions the scene brought out. The scene was copied from Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion (1937), in which French soldiers in a German POW camp sing the song as a similar gesture of defiance. In that film the song was led by a prisoner who was in drag for a show the prisoners were putting on. The song was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria, and was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" ("War Song for the Rhine Army")”.
The greatest film of all time. I always love the supporting cast in classic Hollywood. Their frequent reappearances and adaptability were because they were under contract and so were used. Now the world is such a gig economy so supporting roles are not as frequently repeated as the. One final thing, I think you must have missed when Peter Lorre and Rick were talking implying the Lorre character had murdered the couriers: Ugarte : Rick, I hope you're more impressed with me, now? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll share my luck with your roulette wheel. Rick : Just a moment. I heard a rumor those two German couriers were carrying letters of transit. Ugarte : Huh? Oh, huh, I heard that rumor too. Poor devils. Rick : You're right, Ugarte. I AM a little more impressed with you.
After watching so many RUclips reactors who are watching “old” movies from the 80s, it’s genuinely refreshing - and encouraging - to see someone who is watching true classics. While I sort of wished you’d let the movie roll without quite so many interruptions, I really really enjoyed your thoughtful commentary. Count me in as a new subscriber.
Thank you, Robert! I am so happy that you enjoyed the video! In regards to the interruptions, I always feel so bad for having to interrupt these films, but unfortunately RUclips has an algorithm that looks for copyrighted material. I have to speak about the film at a certain point of the clip that I show so that RUclips won’t block the video. So, unfortunately, I have to talk every 10-15 seconds or so, but if there is any other facts or insight that you’d like me to talk about, please let me know! I am definitely open to changing up some of my insights :) thank you so much for watching and subscribing :)
Well, copyright aside, there isn't that much fun in just watching a clip show when I could be watching the entire movie. One is here for a "reaction" after all. For myself, I also want to know what the host's background knowledge and prior exposure is going in and their overall thoughts about the movie afterwards. I'm usually annoyed when people just jump in and out of a movie with no comment. And @kruuyai, I hear you! It's disconcerting to realize that some of my favorites from the last several decades actually HAVE been around long enough to qualify as "classics".
@@MoviesWithMia : Ahhh, that explains every "Reaction" Video on You Tube. Okay. Well, yours was really good. And You are Loveable to watch. And honest, refreshing, and Intelligent.
Rick: Why you closing me down for? Louie: I’M SHOCKED! Shocked to find that gambling been going on here. An employee of Rick’s: Your winnings sir. Louie: Oh thank you very much. 😆
The way the line "Here's looking at you, kid" was used is called a triple beat. If you watch for it, you'll see it in a lot of movies. A line is spoken, usually by the protagonist, in a straightforward way at first; then the line resurfaces later, usually at a turning point which is often a low point for the protagonist; and lastly, it's spoken again near the end, as a way of capping the emotional throughline of the story. Triple beats are one of the basic building blocks of screenwriting. :)
The "triple beat" label only came after filmmaking actually became a legitimate field of study. Back then, everyone was still flying by the seat of their pants.
@@eatsmylifeYT Dude, just because ivory-tower critics hadn't come up with a name for it yet doesn't mean the writer didn't know what they were doing. There's a reason they're called _writers,_ after all.
Nice shoutout to Sabrina! Love that movie as well.. The actress who played Yvonne actually escaped from occupied France before filming. Watch her reaction as she sings the Marseilleise with tears! Concerning seeing the same actors, back in the day the actors were not independent, but were under contract with a particular studio. That's why you'll see Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre in Casablanca, and then the same actors in the Maltese Falcon.
A part that is often overlooked is when Rick admits to Lazlo that Ilse was at his place to 'Try to convince me that she's still in love with me." and that for her sake he let her pretend... There was a bit more involved there than just a dissolve. :D For his part Lazlo understands the love they shared and, as a man in love as well, is willing to let things be as Rick was saying goodbye to her then as well. So powerful a film. It's my personal favorite for all of its features. Almost anyone can love or at least enjoy this film.
I love your analysis. Lots of people on RUclips do film reactions nowadays. Most are bland, uninspired, lacking insight. Reduced to things like, "Oh!" "Ah!" and "Oh, my gosh!" etc. But you actually have meaningful things to say. Keep up the great work! Thanks.
My yearbook quote was "It doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." Silly me.
Mine too. There is a restaurant in San Francisco called John's Grill where Hammett hung out. The third floor is modeled after Maltese Falcon. We had our wedding party there and it was amazing
There is so much more. You need to see the lighting. Rick's face throughout the movie is cast one side shade and the other light. Shows the internal struggle Rick is facing while Ilsa' face is mostly lit up. Also there are times when Ilsa' is up in Rick's room. There is a scene where the light shadow from the grills cast a shadow of bars on her face showing that she is trapped. Also you seem to miss the allegory of the whole thing. Rick represents America an America's isolationists policy. In fact there is a scene where he says he will not stick his head for anyone. That is America is not going to enter the war. Ilsa is from Norway who did not side with the Germans. Victor was from Czechoslavakia who was invaded by Germans. A number of them was from France. Even the girl at the bar who was trying to win Rick here representing France trying for America to help France. Also the scene where Rick is burying his sorrows by drinking ask Sam an important question ," if it is December 1941 what time is it in Casablanca?" This date to be precise 7th December 1941 Japan attack on Pearl harbour and when America is forced to enter the war. At the end Rick( America) finally enters the war as you can see in the final scene where he puts helping others way above his personal feelings. The scene ends with American and France walking hand in hand and America saying "this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." If you have any doubt even the name Casablanca means " White house". There is so much more in this that I will have to write pages after pages to critique this movie. I hope this will help you to analyse the movie even further.
You’ve now completed the first film in my Bogart triple feature (it could easily be a ten-movie festival). Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Three completely different characters all performed to perfection by one of Hollywood’s greatest.
My Bogart triple feature would be Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and Key Largo, the latter being a superb John Huston film in which Bogart appears with wife Lauren Bacall along with Edward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, and Lionel Barrymore.
If you haven't watched "Now Voyager", I highly recommend it. Paul Henried was never the same after making that movie. Claude Rains also has a nice role in the same movie.
@@MoviesWithMia Check Maltese Falcon with Humphrey Bogart and other stars, also watch From Here To Eternity, The Big Sleep and The Conflict. I come a cross your channel by accident, you are girl after my own heart. I love old films, this when Hollywood wrote good films, No over Sexy and violence. Just good story telling!! Ingrid Bergman is and was damn hot 🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥.
Mia Tiffany, I totally understand your giddiness when a character actor you know from a previous film turns up in another movie, it happens to me all the time! When we watch a movie, on some level we are in the movie with those actors, playing pretend with them, so when you see them again, it's like seeing a friend, and we anticipate having fun playing pretend with them again. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
“Conrad Veidt, who played Maj. Strasser, was well known in the theatrical community in Germany for his hatred of the Nazis, and his friendship with Jews. (His wife, Ilona "Lily" Prager", was Jewish.) He was forced to flee his own country when he learned the SS had sent a death squad after him. Veidt only played film villains during WWII as he was convinced that playing suave Nazi baddies would help the war effort”.
There's an even crazier case of a film maker fleeing Nazi Germany: Fritz Lang. Lang, who was Jewish, was approached by Josef Goebbels who wanted to make him Germany's 'Fuehrer of Film' with grand plans to have him helm all sorts of movie projects (Germany had a colossal film industry, rivaled only by Hollywood). After that meeting, Lang decided these guys were utterly insane and he high-tailed it out of Germany.
“Neither Ingrid Bergman nor Paul Henreid wanted to appear in the film. Bergman thought the material little more than fluff, whereas the role in For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943), one she desperately wanted to do, would do wonders for her career. Once the wrap date for "Casablanca" approached, she realized happily that she would be able to film the Ernest Hemingway story after all. For his part, Henreid had just starred with Bette Davis in Now, Voyager (1942), and the thought of playing second banana to Humphrey Bogart and Bergman, not to mention Claude Rains, just didn't sound like a promising prospect. Fortunately, he reconsidered.”
“In the 1980s this film's script was sent to readers at a number of major studios and production companies under its original title, "Everybody Comes to Rick's". Some readers recognized the script but most did not. Many complained that the script was "not good enough" to make a decent movie. Others gave such complaints as "too dated", "too much dialog" and "not enough sex".
It's funny, years ago I never cared for Casablanca. Then one day it was on TCM, I decided to watch it completely through and really pay attention to all the lines and goings on. I fell in love with it and understand why so many others love it too. Glad to see that younger people have an interest in the classic films. Found your channel today and will be watching from now on. Thank you.
It's a pleasure to watch someone react and enjoy these truly classic films. It's also obvious you have done the research necessary to appreciate the historical setting and dialogue. Thank you for sharing your observations and commentary.
Wow, this is so great! You are so thoughtful and entertaining with your research and interest in these older movies. I definitely get excited when I see someone in an older movie who I recognize too, for sure. I think I'm just proud of myself because if I recognize a supporting actor from 90 years ago, I feel like I deserve a high-five from myself. My only complaint about this movie is: not enough Peter Lorre. Love that dude. Speaking of Peter, it boggles my mind that there were actors during WWII who came right out in public against Hitler, because as you said, we didn't know the outcome of the war until later. Just think what would have happened to Peter Lorre (and a lot of other anti-Nazi German actors, like Conrad Veidt, Marlene Dietrich, etc) if the Axis Powers had won. They were really sticking their necks out when a lot of people didn't. Anyway, I love that you're doing the actual classics. I swear to god, if I hear one more person describe a movie from 1999 as an old movie, I won't be responsible for my actions.
La Resistance (The French Resistance) were some of the bravest people of the 20th century. They were ordinary citizens who used extremely innovative ways to hurt the German military in key strategic points. Excessively proud to have 50% French heritage. On a side note, I watch a lot of people do reviews and I feel that you’re one of the best on RUclips. You definitely need more attention than you’re getting. You have found a niche where most people are not reviewing. You do your homework. You have an old soul. You have a good understanding of the evolution of film. I so look forward to your videos. I encourage everyone to spread the word about your channel!! 👏
Wow! I genuinely feel so blessed to have viewers like you! Your comment has me in tears! I am so incredibly grateful to be able to share my love for classic movies with all of you! This is one of the reasons why I love doing this because of this little community that we have created! Thank you so much for this comment and for watching! I appreciate you :) P.S. I think what La Resistance did was incredibly brave! I definitely want to look more into their history! And I would be so proud, too!!
They had a lot of damaging ways of getting to the Germans, some violent, some just nasty harassment. My favorite had to do with laundry! The Resistance had the launderess's mix ground glass into the soap they used when they were forced to do laundry for the occupying German troops. Now...think of how you would feel if your pants had tiny little bits of broken glass worked into the fibers. The French could be a hoot when they put their minds to it.
At the time of the couple's parting from Rick at the airport, I enjoy Victor's line to Rick, "Welcome back to the fight. This time I know our side will win."
If ya'll interested Peter Lorre's first feature film was M directed by Fritz Lang. He only had 11 mins screen time but he stole the movie. go check it out
I appreciate and share your fondness for movies and actors from the 40s and your attention to details. Subscribed. PS: _To Have and Have Not_ with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall sizzles with political intrigue, romantic tension and memorable one-liners. “You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just put your lips together and blow.“
Most people watch this movie today without the historical facts. I appreciate you telling the story within the time period. One must understand this to really know what is going on. So many reactors only focus on the romance.
You are amazing,..Casablanca is my favorite movie of all time and to see a Young black woman so affected by it and truly understand it warms My heart to no end..I must follow your channel:. "Here's looking at you kid!"
I am so happy you had the chance to watch this movie. One of my old time favorites.. Fun trivia fact - Dooley Wilson who played Sam was an actor and a drummer. He did not really play the piano.
There are some scenes in this movie that still have me tearing up with emotion. Doesn't matter how many times I've watched this movie. You've really made a great choice when you selected "Casablanca"!
Another fantastic reaction, Mia! It’s so exciting to see you get so giddy about old b&w films (and movie stars like Bogie) as much as teenagers today geek out about Marvel movies. It makes my day to see you light up like a kid on Xmas morning. I share the same enthusiasm about the things I love. And you are seriously doing your homework too, droppin’ knowledge about camera moves, Max Steiner, the Hays Code, etc. You asked for recommendations so I got a couple: As far as musicals, I think you would love love love Judy Garland in the technicolor classic ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,” one of my all time faves. And if you want to see Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman sizzle together on screen in glorious b&w then check them out in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Notorious’, also costarring Claude Raines! As much as I love Ingrid Bergman in ‘Casablanca,’ I think she’s even better in ‘Notorious.’ She gives a more deeply layered, heartbreaking performance. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Jose! And thank you kindly for the recommendations! I wanted to also let you know that I put Notorious on the list for Hitchcock month! I am really excited to see Grant and Bergman’s chemistry (someone else said they had wonderful chemistry). Thank you for your recommendations and your comments, I really look forward to your comments :) P.S. I should also note that I am a HUGE Marvel fan 😂😂 but sometimes the CG and extravagant fight scenes become redundant, so I am glad to have found these classic Hollywood masterpieces to escape to!!
@@MoviesWithMia No problem! I think the classic family sitcom format was a cool and clever way to reintroduce us into the Marvel universe. The first two episodes seemed to catch a lot of viewers off guard but I personally loved them. They totally nailed the look, style, and feeling of those vintage shows and I really love Elizabeth Olsen. She gets the chance to show off her comedic chops (as does Paul Bettany) and she’s a natural. I also like the theme of that whole world created as a grief-coping mechanism. Speaking of redundancies, I tend to tune out somewhat when the story strays away from their bubble (watching government/military types strategizing to take down our heroes gets a little predictable for me). But I’m really into Wanda and Vision themselves and am looking forward to see how they wrap everything up. How about you, Mia? What do you think?
Yay! I finally have someone to talk with this about! So, I really enjoy this show! I loved how they formatted the first three episodes (but I have to be honest, I was also slightly confused at first of where they were going with it 😅) but I really love Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen and their chemistry! And I feel that they are somehow going to introduce the multiverse in this series and also in the new Spider-Man movie, so I am super stoked to finish the series!!! I can’t wait to see how phase 4 unfolds!!!
@@MoviesWithMia This is also my favorite scene in the film. Interesting fact: many of the supporting actors in that scene were from countries then occupied by the Nazis; some of them also fled the Nazis in real life. Their emotions during the scene were very real.
The German cannot take more direct action-- Casablanca was technically part of France, which had certain elements of independence. He dares not cause a public incident, even though the Vichy French government was a puppet regime.
Wow, someone is reacting to classic films?! You have a new subscriber here! I’ve been thinking about going through the TCM section of HBOMax and doing reactions myself. If you like Peter Lorre and haven’t yet seen “M,” you really must. It’s an iconic performance. For your musicals, I cannot recommend Victor/Victoria enough.
I strongly endorse that recommendation; "M" is really the movie that made Lorre a star, and remains arguably his greatest performance ever. It's in German -- he would come to America not long after, if I recall correctly. And I'd love to see you react to The Maltese Falcon, which also stars Humphrey Bogart, Lorre, and (in his first movie role) Sidney Greenstreet.
“Casablanca, Morocco, was one of the key stops for refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe, which is why the original playwrights chose the city for the setting of their play (though initially they had opted for Lisbon)”.
“During production, Humphrey Bogart was called to the studio to stand in the middle of the Rick's Cafe set and nod. He had no idea what the nod meant in the story--that he was giving his O.K. for the band in the cafe to play the "Marseillaise”.
“After Rick does a favor for a young couple, Sascha says a line in Russian: "Nu, kakoi chelovek, eto zamechatyelno!". This translates loosely to "Wow, what a man. That's remarkable!"
I love this movie. Cast is perfect. I'm female I appreciate good looking men, but Ingrid Bergman in this movie is stunning, when she smiles, it's like she is lit from within, as someone commented on another thread. Also the scene where she says 'If you knew how much you I loved you, how much I still love you" with tears streaming down her face, unmatched. I read her autobiography, and when she came to Hollywood the studio's wanted her to wear more make up, change other things about her looks, she refused, didn't hurt her career. Many stars of today could learn from that, many look so fake with so much plastic surgery, Madonna, Kim Kardashian. As a fellow scandinavian (Denmark) I'm proud of Ingrid Bergman she is one of a kind.
Been sarching for a channel like this, and boom... there you are. Great reactions, great picks and kudos for doing some homework on the films (unlike most reactors). Best wishes for you and your channel from on classic movie fan to another. Subbed.
At 22:23 you were talking about no guns being drawn etc. As stated several times in the movie, even by Laslo himself, they were in "unoccupied" France. After France surrendered to Germany in 1940, Germany occupied and was the government of northern France. There were occupation troops everywhere. There were submarine bases up and down the Atlantic cost. There were Luftwaffe, German air force, bases near the cost so that they could bomb England. Southern France was unoccupied. The French government moved from Paris, which was in the German zone, to Vichy, France. It was called Vichy France. Vichy France still controlled most of the French colonies and overseas possessions. Casablanca was an overseas possession. The Germans in the film are observers that are there to make sure that the locals are remaining neutral as required by the surrender of France to Germany. This is why the Germans cannot just outright arrest Laslo.
“The iconic "La Marsaillaise" sequence was intended to have been even more pointed against the Nazis. The original song Maj. Strasser and the other Germans were to sing was not "Die Wacht am Rhein", a patriotic song written in 1840 and extensively used in the Franco-German War and in World War I, but instead "Das Horst-Wessel-Lied", the Nazi Party anthem and unofficial second national anthem of Nazi Germany. However, Warner Bros. changed it when it realized that the song was under copyright, which wouldn't have been a problem if the film were only being distributed in Allied territory. However, as the film was going to be released in neutral countries as well, it could have caused major diplomatic headaches and even opened Warner Bros. to the absurd possibility of being sued by the Nazis for copyright infringement. Or having to pay them royalties”.
Alan Cranston, later to be a Senator of California, has the hallmark of being the only American sued by Adolf Hitler for producing an unauthorized English translation of 'Mein Kampf'. America entered WWII before the case was settled and, naturally, it didn't go forward once the US was at war with Germany.
Mia, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship~ Sorry, I couldn't resist.. but I've seen a good deal of folks on RUclips watching movies and you've got like, that extra pepper sauce of excitement and appreciation of the ongoing art of film. This is one of my favorite movies to sit back and enjoy in the afternoon, maybe with a drink or four, along with a smoke break-- but the absolutely awesome character dialogue in this whole story is what makes it a great choice, and a good talking point too. I'm subbed and bell'd, and I look forward to getting thru your library of vids now, thank you for your hard work in advance!
Great reaction--appreciate the fact that you're watching classic films from the Golden Era. Not many RUclipsrs react to anything prior to the 1970s. Just subscribed to your channel. Casablanca is one of my favorite films and Curtiz's direction with the fluid camera movements (the zoom in shots you really enjoyed are referred to as "dolly shots) is highly under appreciated by the casual moviegoer. Also, someone may have mentioned this but the composer for the film, Max Steiner, actually didn't want to include "As Time Goes By" (it was a song that was released years prior to the film) but the director insisted--and thank God he did. Personally, I think RIck and Ilsa's romance is the greatest romance in cinema history, "As Time Goes By" is the greatest song in cinema history because of the significance it plays, and the bittersweet ending makes the film have an even greater impact, even nearly 80 years later. If you're looking for other all-time great cinematic classics, I highly recommend the following: It Happened One Night (considered THE romantic comedy that set the standard for the genre; also one of only 3 films to win the "Big 4" at the Academy Awards) Double Indemnity (considered one of the great film noirs) Sunset Blvd (also considered one of the great film noirs) Singin' in the Rain (even if you're not big into musicals--this is THE musical--and it will surely brighten your day) The Apartment (essentially the bookend of the romantic comedy genre--helped end the Hays Code and won Best Picture)
Hi Andrew! Thank you for your recommendations! I absolutely agree with you about Rick and Ilsa’s romance! It was one of the greatest cinematic romances that I have ever seen in a film! Also, I am really glad that they decided to leave in the song “As Time Goes By” because I think it adds a depth to Rick and Ilsa’s romance that makes it so special! Thank you for your insight about the dolly shots! I think that the fact that Curtiz decided to use that style of cinematography was such a wonderful idea! I felt like I was right there with them while watching those scenes, especially in Rick’s Cafe! One more thing I wanted to add, we are starting Musicals in March on Wednesday and it would be my pleasure to react to Singin in the Rain! Thank for so much for recommending and thank you for subscribing to the channel!!
The only fact I know about this film is when the French are singing their national anthem those are actual French people who had to leave their country.
It's hard to imagine how those people felt, watching the seemingly-invincible fascist forces occupy their country and not knowing if they'd ever get it back. The rage, fear, sorrow, and fierce hope on display are breathtaking. Vive la democracie!
Another awesome reaction Mia. And thank you for showing my comment. WOW, that was unexpected! @ 9:00 Sidney Greenstreet. Talk about a guy who could dole out the dialog! He and Peter Lorre (Ugarte) did several good movies together you would like, Three Strangers, The Verdict and first time together with Bogey in The Maltese Falcon (1941). Do Maltese sometime! Another good Bogart classic he's most known for. @ 25:00 My grandmother took my mom to the theater often while my grandfather was overseas in the war, and they saw this incredible movie when it came out in 1943. She and my grandma said when they finished playing the French anthem they were out of their seats cheering and clapping along with the rest of the theater at that point! Many, including them were still in a scary but patriotic mood all the time and this movie cheered them up. @ 25:43 If you want to see a Bogey movie with REAL romance behind and in front of the camera, do "To Have and Have Not" (1944), where the married Bogart stars with his young future wife, Lauren Bacall in her first screen role. There was a lot in the news about that at the time. @ 26:00 Very interesting. Recall too near the end Rick telling Victor about he and Ilsa, "....for your sake she pretended (to love Rick), and I let her pretend." Suggesting without being overt. BTW, the scene title on my DVD that contains that quote there is called 'A Gentleman's Explanation', LOL! @ 29:55 Oh man, my mom said at this scene the crowd erupted with cheering. Notice that little sly look between Louis and Rick? Up to that point nobody knew which side Louis was really on, Vichy or Free French. It must have been a relief to the audience! Couple of things edited out of the video worth noting is the hilarious moment soon after the French anthem was sung Louis was ordering Rick's club to shut down and telling him, "I'm shocked! Shocked to find gambling's going on here." Then Emil the croupier hands him a wad of cash saying "Your winnings sir." and Louis quickly grabs it saying "Thank you very much. Everyone out at once!" And Rick gives him that look! Then later Rick telling Louis his gun is pointed at his heart and Louis replies, "That is my least vulnerable spot." Those were funny! But what a movie eh?
Wow! Thank you for your insight! And thank you for sharing your mother and grandmother’s story! That is something to be treasured! Also, thank you for recommending To Have and Have Not! I am definitely going to have to watch that one! I love when off-screen couples do movies together (with the exception of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in Gigli. That one was just bad 😂) so I will definitely check that one out! Thank you again!!
Most people talk about the tight script, the quotable lines, the lighting, the camerawork.... I love what a witty wisecrack Rick is. Gives me Malcom Reynolds(Firefly) vibes. But its just not talked about more because of how serious and isolationist Rick is. Are my eyes really brown?
Hahaha! That is hilarious! Yes, I figured that it might have been influenced by the cinematography of Citizen Kane because of the risks they took in that film and the success that they had!
Wow. This film is so enshrined in popular culture - almost every line is a meme - that I'm still surprised when someone hasn't seen it. It isn't like the days before home video when the only way to see such films was a TV re-run or a re-release in theatres (which didn't happen much except Disney every seven years). I never saw "Casablanca" until I was almost 30 and had moved to a big city where there were a couple of repertory theatres which only showed old classics. Sadly, those theatres have now gone the way of the dodo. It's really worth seeing these classics on a big theatre screen as was intended. Pre-Covid, some of the major chains were doing special showings of classics every month or so, but who knows now... About camera motion... remember that color filming at this time, especially 3-strip Technicolor, required cameras which were much bulkier than B&W cameras, plus extra bright lighting. Filming in B&W allowed a bit more freedom. In 1942, even movies with sound had only been around for about ten years, so it's amazing what some talented people managed to create. Speaking of which, I believe "King Kong" (1933) was the first major movie released with a dedicated score... also by Max Steiner who did "Casablanca". Bergman and Claude Rains worked together again (plus Cary Grant!) in "Notorious" (1946), one of Alfred Hitchcock's best.
you just gave me a flashback - avoiding college assignments by driving 2 hours to the Nuart, Vista, or other long-gone rep houses to see classics and obscure films.
Hello Mia! My name is Eghosa and I am actually one of your subscribers. I really appreciate the fact that you are talking about Classic Cinema in the process. In addition, I recommend you watch Turner Classic Movies in order to continue to increase your knowledge of film since I really adore your boldness to react to Classics. By the way, here are some recommendations for your channel to react to: 1.) From Here to Eternity 2.) On the Waterfront 3.) The Bicycle Thief 4.) The Apartment (1960) 5.) Some Like it Hot 6.) Seven Samurai 7.) Rear Window 8.) Singin in the Rain 9.) Army of Shadows (1969) Mia, feel free to watch and enjoy to where you will grow in your film knowledge. I will be patient as possible so take your time to watch the films. Also, I added some foreign selections in order to show versatility so that you can expand your film knowledge as well. Thank you, Mia for reacting and continue to grow in your passion for film.
Hi Eghosa! Thank you for subscribing to the channel! Also, I greatly appreciate your recommendations! Thank you so much, I will add them to the list :)
Yes, I agree! Not necessarily my favorite, but a very good one. I just saw it recently, and I was struck by how believable Cary Grant was as a romantic lead in this one. I love Cary Grant, but I don't generally see him as having much romantic chemistry in his films... comedic chemistry, definitely, but in Notorious, I could really believe that he was in love with Ingrid Bergmann's character.
@@MoviesWithMia Hitchcock month! How cool is that? I'm sure you'll be flooded with suggestions and, never being one to hold back an opinion, here are my faves: Spellbound, Rear Window, The Lady Vanishes and North by Northwest.
I have Rear Window and North by Northwest on this list! I was going to watch Spellbound in February, but when I noticed it was by Hitchcock I left it for his month!! And I will add the Lady Vanishes!! Thank you for recommending!!
Finally found my soulmate content creator for my love in Classic Hollywood films. A new subscriber here from the Philippines. Please continue the Wonderful content. Love lots.
@@MoviesWithMia a much rarer gem is "Stormy Weather"(1943). It features Dooley Wilson/Sam (also Lena Horne, Fats Waller and Cab Calloway), ironically one of the few who don't sing in that musical.
Casablanca is one of my favorite films of all time. Loved Ingrid's clothes and hats.. stylin! Not to mention she was probably the most beautiful actress of the 1940s.
If you're doing movie musicals (you might have them all picked out) but some older ones: Top Hat (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), Meet Me in St Louis (Judy Garland), Footlight Parade (pre Hays code with two lines delivered with perfection by Joan Blondell and over the top musical numbers supposedly being put on on a regular stage), West Side Story (which you may have already seen), Sound of Music (which is one of the few musicals that I believe is better as a movie than as a stage performance--I mean the opening scene alone is worth watching) Singin in the Rain, and for good measure--a Shirley Temple movie (I don't really have a favorite). As far as movies dealing with war, I highly recommend The Best Years of Our Lives which deals with returning soldiers and their families--one of the best movies I've ever seen dealing with WW 2 veterans.
Thank you for your recommendations, Babs B! I will definitely consider your musical recommendations! Thank you so much! And I think I need to dedicate a month to war movies from the 1940s because there is more insight on what life might have been like and I am fascinated with this genre of movies! I feel like I learn more about WW2 when watching these films than I ever did in grade school 😂. I will definitely consider giving a month to these movies! Thank you so much!
This is Humphrey Bogart’s 2nd best role after The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Also check out The Great Dictator, the other great Anti-Nazi movie of the 1940’s.
I grew up watching this movie....by the time I saw it the first time, the movie had been out for about 25 years or so. I also I love how enthusiastic you are about old classics like this. I am definitely hitting the subscribe button.
There's a scene early in that would interest you, and your viewers who know the movie well. Recall the French guy the Vichy police shot in the back running away because his papers were expired. He fell under a poster of the pro-Vichy prime minister and Marshal of France, Philippe Pétain with his quote to Casablanca translated as "I keep my promises even those of others." The irony is the poor guy shot was carrying Free French material and died right under the image of Pétain who later was tried and convicted for treason after the war.
“When this film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Jack L. Warner was first on stage to accept the award, beating the film's actual producer, Hal B. Wallis, who was incensed at this slight and never forgave Warner. Wallis, at the time regarded as the "wunderkind" at the studio, left Warner Brothers shortly afterwards”.
Love, love, love that you're reacting to these classic films! A little background: when the Nazis occupied France they changed governing capital from Paris to Vichy, where they had set up a puppet French government. So, to support Vichy, meant supporting the Nazi regime. Hope that clears that up for you. I enjoyed your reaction, and hope to see more like it. Just a suggestion, but I think in this case, you knew too much about the movie before watching it. So instead of experiencing a lot of the beats that were so powerful, you were concentrated on the behind-the-scenes facts, etc. It's great to have background on a film, and I'm impressed that you make the effort to do research. But sometimes it's better, at least for reaction sake, to go in a bit less informed. Loved the reaction nonetheless. Keep it up!
Very interesting insight! And I appreciate your feedback, when I was editing this, I noticed that I missed a lot of important and powerful moments! So, I will definitely keep that in mind in future reactions! Thank you so much :)
@@MoviesWithMia You're very welcome, and I'm so glad you're taking the time to visit these old classics. It's refreshing to see reactions to movies so many younger viewers will never even know about. One more thing about your Casablanca reaction, though I enjoyed it, I can't believe you never mentioned the relationship b/w Rick and Capt. Renault. It's one of the greatest bro-mances in film history! I understand it's hard to pick and choose which parts to include in just 10 mins of useable film per video. Maybe in the future, when you're doing reactions to these iconic films, and you know that there are going to be so many 'classic' moments, a two-part reaction might be in order. What people like me that watch your videos really want to see is how you react to the most iconic parts. After all, is it really a Casablanca reaction w/o seeing you react to "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"? Again, thanks for making these videos. You've gained a subscriber and I hope to see you react to many more film classics. I've got a ton of suggestions that I'm certain you'll love so let me know what the best way to get them to you is.
@@jasonpalacio2115 thank you 😁 for recommendations, you can put them in the comments, you can DM me through Instagram or Twitter @mamamiatiffany, or you can email me! I have had people do all, so whichever is most convenient for you :) thank you again for subscribing to the channel!
One of my very favorite films. It is famous for having 6 most quoted lines. More than the next 2 films combined. There is 1 thing that the screenwriters got wrong. Rick fought in Spain. The Ger. used 77mm guns in WWI, but in Spain and WWII it used 75mm guns. And, actually it had armed the field artillery with 105mm gun-howitzers, and only used 75 mm guns late in the war when it could not make enough 105s because of Allied bombing.
‘Casablanca’ is renowned and is justly acknowledged as one of the most romantic films of all time but it is much more than the tale of a love triangle. Of course, it shows that the power of love can affect the human psyche, as demonstrated by Rick’s metamorphosis. This film has so many levels to it that it takes many viewings to appreciate them. The main theme is not romance but self-sacrifice as the film’s message to the world at war is to give up the personal agenda for the common cause. It reminds wartime audiences, many of whom have loved ones fighting abroad, that their situation is the same as that of Rick, Ilsa and Victor. The screenplay is so intelligently written. It is a masterpiece of complexity, containing subliminal political opinions and messages all carried along on a thrilling plot with brilliant one-liners and memorable quotes, comedic elements together with contemporary, social commentaries. Basically, the film is politically motivated because it is a plea to America to join the war. Please note that the action takes place in pre-Pearl Harbour, December, 1941. This is the the first non-musical movie to use music almost as an another protagonist, (which Tarantino does now). For example, ‘As Time Goes By’ is a valuable recurring theme and, in Paris, Rick and Ilsa dance to ‘Perfidia’ which means untrustworthiness. Michael Curtiz’s direction is multi-faceted: Documentary, Film Noir, German Expressionism, Flashback etc. He is the master of creating the plot via seamlessly connecting a series of rapid-fire vignettes. POINTS OF INTEREST AND NOTES FOR SUBSEQUENT VIEWINGS. Rick’s initial selfishness, (I stick my neck out for nobody’), is a metaphor for USA indifference. It must be remembered that the events and politics are hard to comprehend and put into perspective for modem audiences than in the actual time when the film was made. The script is a 'State of the Union' address, both for home and foreign policies. There are references to Civil Rights as embodied in Sam and, of course, the debate about America’s involvement in the conflict. Each character represents a country e.g. Two Japanese plotting . The Italian on the tail of the German. American indifference. French collaborators, the British robbed by foreign policy. Even the Balkans are mentioned via the Bulgarian couple. Rick’s actions symbolise the USA in its change in policy from isolationism to participation and ‘….the beginning of a beautiful friendship…’ is the USA and Europe joining forces to fight Nazism. There is subtle direction. For example, Ilsa wears black and white clothes and is cast in shadows and in a mirror which portrays the ambiguity of her role. The ‘La Marseillaise’ scene is the pivotal moment in which both Ilsa and Rick realise that saving Victor is more important than their own personal relationship. It also comes in just as Rick and Victor are about to argue over Ilsa but both drop the issue when they hear the music. This scene is rousing now but imagine how it must have felt for audiences right in the middle of the war when Germany seemed invincible and we need to put it in perspective in terms of world events full of Nazi domination. The facial close-ups used throughout the film speak a thousand words: but particularly note Ilsa during ‘La Marseillaise’ when her expressions show her admiration of Victor’s power and her realisation that this must be preserved at all costs. In any case... there is so much alcohol!!!! POINTS TO WATCH ‘It’s December, 1941 in Casablanca: what time is it in New York?... I bet they are asleep all over America’. PEARL HARBOUR ‘Even Nazis can’t kill that fast’ CONCENTRATION CAMPS ‘I don’t buy or sell human beings..’ CIVIL RIGHTS The Bulgarian couple keep appearing as symbols of hope and determination. In the bar room fight over Yvonne, Rick attacks the German only and not the Frenchman. Captain Renault dumps the bottle of Vichy water to represent his rejection of the Nazi- collaborating French Government which was located in Vichy. Just one example of the excellent and complex scriptwriting occurs immediately after the roulette scene. The girl thanks Rick for letting her husband win and Rick replies, ‘He’s just a lucky guy’, which, on the face of it, refers to the gambling, but, in Rick’s mind, means that the husband is ‘lucky’ because his partner truly loves him.
Mia, I love that you're watching Casablanca. Years ago, at a Fathom Events TCM screening, Casablanca was *sold out*, I was shocked (I still got in tho!). Still such a beloved movie. Sometime you really need to see Neil Simon's The Cheap Detective, a truly loving parody of Casablanca and also the Noir crime genre. It's take on so many classic Casablanca moments will stick with you...I had them in my head watching your reaction!
Thank you for your recommendation, Justin! And I could only imagine what that screening must have been like! It is amazing how much love this film still gets!
What I liked about this film is that all the characters were willing to sacrifice for the others. Rick sacrificed his desire for Ilsa and did the right thing putting both Ilsa and Victor on the plane. What is less clear is that Ilsa may have been willing to stay with Rick only in order to ensure that Rick would put Victor on the plane. In fact Rick suggests to Victor that Ilsa was only with him the night before to ensure that Victor would get the letters of transit. Was Ilsa really in love with Rick to the extent to leave Victor or was she making the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that Victor got out of Casablanca to continue his important resistance work? Remember Rick was bitter and self-proclaimed to be selfish and not sticking his neck out for anyone, so Ilsa may have thought the only way to get Victor out was to sacrifice herself (not that she was totally unwilling) to Rick. And Victor of course was willing to let Rick escape with Ilsa if that was the only way Ilsa could escape. Rick ultimately saves the day by rejecting his selfish ways, sacrificing his love and returning to the war cause. But its rare in film these days to see all the characters by self-less when so many modern film characters are selfish and flawed.
"How convenient that there were two German couriers murdered for their exit visas." The writer was indeed fortunate that this occurred. It would have made his job much more difficult if it hadn't. We would certainly would have had a different movie. Ilsa could have stayed behind with Rick. Happy ending. Best. Leo.
I feel satisfied with the way it ended because I don’t feel like it would be realistic if Ilsa stayed with him, especially after he would have to leave Casablanca to escape the Nazis. I liked the way it ended :)
@@michaelbastraw1493 oh no worries :) I was just thinking about if they had allowed Ilsa to stay with Rick... I am glad the writers decided to keep her with Lazlo :) sorry if I sounded aloof 😅
@@MoviesWithMia Not at all. Couldn't hear it from here. While I have you on the line, I meant to mention I discovered your channel this morning and watched some of the videos.(I'm guessing Casablanca was the word my algorithm found.) I was getting ready to recommend some Rodgers and Hammerstein, when, lo and behold, you present one of the Big Three. When I was aged 11, our whole family traveled 50 miles to the big city to see the opening of The Sound of Music. We were all entranced, bought the album, and proceeded to where the grooves off. Best. Leo.
@@MoviesWithMia If you have never seen the movie WERE NO ANGELS (1955) with Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray - it gets my recommendation as a great Bogart film.
a subtle but great line is when Bergman asks Bogart where he was 10 years ago, and he says "looking for a job".... the whole sad history of the Great Depression is in those words and the look on Bogart's face when he speaks them
Absolutely love this analysis of Casablanca! This is my first time watching one of your videos and I really appreciate the work you’ve done to make this. You are so informed with the background of the movie and the production, I really appreciate it. I’m a musician studying musicology and this movie has the incredibly magnificent “play La Marseillaise” scene, which means a lot to me. Thank you for the awesome reaction to this movie and I’m psyched to see all of your others! Glad to subscribe and enjoy your work!
“Leonid Kinskey was cast because he was Humphrey Bogart's drinking buddy. He was not the first choice for the role--he replaced Leo Mostovoy, who was deemed not funny enough”.
Laszlo was supposed to meet Ugarte at Rick's to get the Letters of Transit; so yes, it was deliberate that there were 2 LoT and two people who needed them. It was prearranged that Ugarte was meeting them to give the LoT to them. It's easy to miss but if you watch it 100x, you catch that detail because it is casually mentioned a few times.
Mia, you got me with this reaction. I love your enthusiasm. As I get older I find it just too bad that generation after generation is just more lost, not only to how entertaining these movies are but also to the significance of the time that they were made. You strike me as a true history buff like myself. I look forward to more reactions from you. Keep it up.
“Rick never says "Play it again, Sam." He says: "You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!" The incorrect line has become the basis for spoofs in movies such as A Night in Casablanca (1946) and Play It Again, Sam (1972)”.
You did a great job! Kudos for noticing the camera work! A lot of people and things came together very well for this movie. Curtiz fled Paris through Portugal to escape. He was Jewish. The croupier and 'Yvonne' were real-life husband and wife. He also was Jewish. They also had to flee Paris (first car, then bicycle!) through Portugal! The bartender SZ Szakal (sp) had a sister die in a German concentration camp. Those people, like 'Yvonne' cried real tears during the duelling anthems scene!
Ingrid always said in interviews that she never knew who Ilsa would end up with because they were writing the script scenes the night before. So she had to act like she could end up with either Victor or Rick. And we never knew how how it would turn out at the airport until it happened.
“Rick and Ilsa standing over Sam's piano in Paris was the first scene to be shot. Filming a tender love scene with two actors who had just met was not planned, but the filming of Now, Voyager (1942) had gone over schedule, so Paul Henreid and Claude Rains were not available.”
“Because the film was made during WWII the production was not allowed to film at an airport after dark for security reasons. Instead, it used a sound stage with a small cardboard cutout airplane and forced perspective. To give the illusion that the plane was full-sized, they used little people to portray the crew preparing the plane for take-off. Years later the same technique was used in Alien (1979), in the scene where the crew discovers the dead "space jockey", with director Ridley Scott's son and some of his friends in scaled-down spacesuits.”
After the fall of France, a French "Vichy" gov't was established, which collaborated with the Nazis. That detail would have been understood by filmgoers who followed the news. This film wasn't "about" WW II but is steeped in that immediately present context. That's one reason it so resonated with audiences.
the "coincidences" you speak about: "Brief Encounter," . . . "Inglorious Bastards," . . . are all very real, as is the "Christ-light" entrance of Ilse into the cafe. Film students (particularly college film students), learn these "coincidences" as part of many film classes. A great trivia item also: the Ford Tri-motor plane with its Swastika was actually flown over L.A. to land at the airport twice, and caused public panic in the city.
Hey everyone! So, on this video, there might be some weird edits. I had a copyright ID claim on the content in this video, so I had to edit some things out. I am sorry for any inconvenience :) Hopefully, you'll still enjoy the video :)
@@cryptowerewolf1508 wow that is so beautiful! I could only imagine what that might have felt like in the cinema while they were singing the French national anthem! Thank you for sharing 😊
Wow! This is wonderful! I love hearing stories about people who actually lived through WW2, so thank you for sharing this! Your father’s a very brave man! Also thank you for watching 😊
Tiffany do you welcome constructive criticism?
It wasn't because of the production code. Casablanca was part of France, called "Vichy France", which allied with the Germans, rather than live under their oppression like in Paris. The French still had a semblance of control as far as law & order were concerned. Germans were big on following the rules as far as respecting their alliance with Vichy France, so Major Strasser couldn't legally arrest Victor Laszlo. This made for a peculiar and uncomfortable setting.
@@cryptowerewolf1508 Just knowing that a theater audience in Casablanca stood up and sang with the movie made me tear up. My dad was in the Pacific in the US Navy.
Also you want to know about "Vichy". The "Vichy Government" is the name of the French officials the Nazi's put in charge of France during their occupation during WWII. So when Claude Rains trashes that bottle of Vichy Water he's trashing the French who helped the Nazi's.
Ahh! Okay! I knew that it had some symbolism! Thank you for sharing that insight :)
It got it's name from the town of Vichy was set up as the capital of the puppet government.
Vichy was famous for centuries for its mineral springs with water that contained sodium bicarbonate, so much so that Vichy Water became a synonym for what we would call mineral water.
Yes! Exactly.
This also explains Lazlo being able to move freely without being arrested..Morocco was a French territory, governed by French authorities.. And political considerations effected Major Strausser’s actions towards him.. Meaning, they’d much rather catch him doing something illegal first, like trying to escape, before they gotta do what they gotta do..
Vichy is the baseline for a lot of the intrigue that’s happening at Rick’s Cafe.. The Ff (Free France) movement is in direct opposition to Vichy, and it also explains why Capt Renault has authority, but is kinda under the thumb of the Germans..
@@dsmdgold Because Vichy has the mineral springs it was a major spa with lots of hotels. That's why the French government moved there. There was room to house government departments.
“Back in the mid-2000s, Madonna wanted to remake the film with her as IIsa Lund and Ashton Kutcher as Rick. She pitched the idea to every studio but was unanimously rejected by every studio with one studio executive telling her the "film is deemed untouchable". She eventually scrapped the proposed project”.
And yet, someone OKed the Pamela Anderson travesty Barb Wire, which is a gender reversed remake with tits and explosions.
@@DavidB-2268 Barb Wire is hilarious.
When Madonna wants the perfect film to become about HER, it's time to shut the idea down for good and lock her in the looney bin before it even starts. She may have done some acting, but she's NO Ingrid Bergman and hahahah...Ashton Kutcher would "butcher" the part. Also to do this film in color is a big damned mistake. The character of Ilsa is vulnerable, I cannot picture Madonna getting away with that, putting her own egotistical spin on that character. Maybe Renee Zellweger could have done it. Better off never doing it. You cannot improve perfection.
Robert Redford directed a movie calked Havana that supposedly was a remake....
It could've been the greatest horror film ever made.
Claude got all the best lines in this movie. He was pure gold.
Yes! I absolutely agree with you!!
And poor Ingrid Bergman got all thd clunkers ("Is that cannon fire...or my heart pounding?"). But she was so wonderful she redeemed the character.
His shocked that they allowing gambling is my favorite.
Wow I am so glad I found this channel.
Finally a person that reacts to classic movies!!!
I was 16 when I saw my first classic movie, I'm 51 now and still discovering new great classics and watching the ones I've seen many many times as well.
Enjoy!
Hi Dustin! I am glad you found this channel as well! I love discovering these treasures!
That is the #1 reason I subscribe to Spectrum's Silver (Premium) digital cable package, which has Turner Classic Movies, where "old movies" and Foreign films are screened regularly.
“During the scene in which the "La Marseillaise" is sung over the German song ""Die Wacht am Rhein" ("The Watch on the Rhine"), many of the extras had real tears in their eyes as a large number were actual refugees from Nazi persecution in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and were overcome by the emotions the scene brought out. The scene was copied from Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion (1937), in which French soldiers in a German POW camp sing the song as a similar gesture of defiance. In that film the song was led by a prisoner who was in drag for a show the prisoners were putting on. The song was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria, and was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" ("War Song for the Rhine Army").")ht am Rhein" ("The Watch on the Rhine"), many of the extras had real tears in their eyes as a large number were actual refugees from Nazi persecution in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and were overcome by the emotions the scene brought out. The scene was copied from Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion (1937), in which French soldiers in a German POW camp sing the song as a similar gesture of defiance. In that film the song was led by a prisoner who was in drag for a show the prisoners were putting on. The song was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria, and was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" ("War Song for the Rhine Army")”.
The greatest film of all time. I always love the supporting cast in classic Hollywood. Their frequent reappearances and adaptability were because they were under contract and so were used. Now the world is such a gig economy so supporting roles are not as frequently repeated as the. One final thing, I think you must have missed when Peter Lorre and Rick were talking implying the Lorre character had murdered the couriers:
Ugarte : Rick, I hope you're more impressed with me, now? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll share my luck with your roulette wheel.
Rick : Just a moment. I heard a rumor those two German couriers were carrying letters of transit.
Ugarte : Huh? Oh, huh, I heard that rumor too. Poor devils.
Rick : You're right, Ugarte. I AM a little more impressed with you.
After watching so many RUclips reactors who are watching “old” movies from the 80s, it’s genuinely refreshing - and encouraging - to see someone who is watching true classics. While I sort of wished you’d let the movie roll without quite so many interruptions, I really really enjoyed your thoughtful commentary. Count me in as a new subscriber.
Thank you, Robert! I am so happy that you enjoyed the video! In regards to the interruptions, I always feel so bad for having to interrupt these films, but unfortunately RUclips has an algorithm that looks for copyrighted material. I have to speak about the film at a certain point of the clip that I show so that RUclips won’t block the video. So, unfortunately, I have to talk every 10-15 seconds or so, but if there is any other facts or insight that you’d like me to talk about, please let me know! I am definitely open to changing up some of my insights :) thank you so much for watching and subscribing :)
haha... so true. I have to laugh when I click on a channel for "classic movies" and find films that are younger than some of the clothes I own!
Well, copyright aside, there isn't that much fun in just watching a clip show when I could be watching the entire movie. One is here for a "reaction" after all. For myself, I also want to know what the host's background knowledge and prior exposure is going in and their overall thoughts about the movie afterwards. I'm usually annoyed when people just jump in and out of a movie with no comment.
And @kruuyai, I hear you! It's disconcerting to realize that some of my favorites from the last several decades actually HAVE been around long enough to qualify as "classics".
@@MoviesWithMia : Ahhh, that explains every "Reaction" Video on You Tube. Okay. Well, yours was really good. And You are Loveable to watch. And honest, refreshing, and Intelligent.
@@javimu111 thank you! I am so glad you enjoy the videos :)
Rick: Why you closing me down for?
Louie: I’M SHOCKED! Shocked to find that gambling been going on here.
An employee of Rick’s: Your winnings sir.
Louie: Oh thank you very much.
😆
Hahaha! I loved that scene! It was hilarious 😂
Claude Rains stole just about every scene
"Me? I came for my health. I came for the waters."
"Waters! Casablanca is in the desert!"
"I was misinformed."
@@jean-paulaudette9246 I was misinformed. That may be my favorite line in the movie. The modern equivalent of "Nunya".
The best part of that exchange is the look Rick gives the croupier in the background
The way the line "Here's looking at you, kid" was used is called a triple beat. If you watch for it, you'll see it in a lot of movies. A line is spoken, usually by the protagonist, in a straightforward way at first; then the line resurfaces later, usually at a turning point which is often a low point for the protagonist; and lastly, it's spoken again near the end, as a way of capping the emotional throughline of the story. Triple beats are one of the basic building blocks of screenwriting. :)
LOVE THIS! Thank you so much for sharing! That is so interesting! I can see why it won Best Screenplay at the Oscars!
@@MoviesWithMia You're welcome! Filmmaking has always been a great interest of mine. :)
The "triple beat" label only came after filmmaking actually became a legitimate field of study. Back then, everyone was still flying by the seat of their pants.
@@eatsmylifeYT Dude, just because ivory-tower critics hadn't come up with a name for it yet doesn't mean the writer didn't know what they were doing. There's a reason they're called _writers,_ after all.
Nice shoutout to Sabrina! Love that movie as well.. The actress who played Yvonne actually escaped from occupied France before filming. Watch her reaction as she sings the Marseilleise with tears! Concerning seeing the same actors, back in the day the actors were not independent, but were under contract with a particular studio. That's why you'll see Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre in Casablanca, and then the same actors in the Maltese Falcon.
Thank you for your insight :) Also, I cannot wait to see The Maltese Falcon! I have it on my list for our Film Noir month!!!
A part that is often overlooked is when Rick admits to Lazlo that Ilse was at his place to 'Try to convince me that she's still in love with me." and that for her sake he let her pretend...
There was a bit more involved there than just a dissolve. :D
For his part Lazlo understands the love they shared and, as a man in love as well, is willing to let things be as Rick was saying goodbye to her then as well.
So powerful a film. It's my personal favorite for all of its features. Almost anyone can love or at least enjoy this film.
“Dooley Wilson was, in fact, the only member of the cast to have ever actually visited the city of Casablanca.”
I love your analysis. Lots of people on RUclips do film reactions nowadays. Most are bland, uninspired, lacking insight. Reduced to things like, "Oh!" "Ah!" and "Oh, my gosh!" etc. But you actually have meaningful things to say. Keep up the great work! Thanks.
My yearbook quote was "It doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." Silly me.
Mine was "Never Make the Same Mistake Twice --- Unless It Pays!"
When I got married, my tux was exactly the same as Rick’s! Timeless style!
Wow! You have exquisite taste! It’s a very dapper suit!
Mine too. There is a restaurant in San Francisco called John's Grill where Hammett hung out. The third floor is modeled after Maltese Falcon. We had our wedding party there and it was amazing
@@smakedoctor When the plague ends, “Giddy Up!”
There is so much more. You need to see the lighting. Rick's face throughout the movie is cast one side shade and the other light. Shows the internal struggle Rick is facing while Ilsa' face is mostly lit up. Also there are times when Ilsa' is up in Rick's room. There is a scene where the light shadow from the grills cast a shadow of bars on her face showing that she is trapped.
Also you seem to miss the allegory of the whole thing. Rick represents America an America's isolationists policy. In fact there is a scene where he says he will not stick his head for anyone. That is America is not going to enter the war. Ilsa is from Norway who did not side with the Germans. Victor was from Czechoslavakia who was invaded by Germans. A number of them was from France. Even the girl at the bar who was trying to win Rick here representing France trying for America to help France. Also the scene where Rick is burying his sorrows by drinking ask Sam an important question ," if it is December 1941 what time is it in Casablanca?"
This date to be precise 7th December 1941 Japan attack on Pearl harbour and when America is forced to enter the war.
At the end Rick( America) finally enters the war as you can see in the final scene where he puts helping others way above his personal feelings. The scene ends with American and France walking hand in hand and America saying "this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
If you have any doubt even the name Casablanca means " White house". There is so much more in this that I will have to write pages after pages to critique this movie. I hope this will help you to analyse the movie even further.
You’ve now completed the first film in my Bogart triple feature (it could easily be a ten-movie festival). Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Three completely different characters all performed to perfection by one of Hollywood’s greatest.
I have the Maltese Falcon on the schedule for our film noir month! I am super excited to see it!!
My Bogart triple feature would be Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and Key Largo, the latter being a superb John Huston film in which Bogart appears with wife Lauren Bacall along with Edward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, and Lionel Barrymore.
Casablanca, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, & The African Queen (for which he won an Oscar!)...
If you haven't watched "Now Voyager", I highly recommend it. Paul Henried was never the same after making that movie. Claude Rains also has a nice role in the same movie.
I will definitely check out Now Voyager! Thank you for recommending 😊
@@MoviesWithMia Check Maltese Falcon with Humphrey Bogart and other stars, also watch From Here To Eternity, The Big Sleep and The Conflict. I come a cross your channel by accident, you are girl after my own heart. I love old films, this when Hollywood wrote good films, No over Sexy and violence. Just good story telling!! Ingrid Bergman is and was damn hot 🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥.
Mia Tiffany, I totally understand your giddiness when a character actor you know from a previous film turns up in another movie, it happens to me all the time! When we watch a movie, on some level we are in the movie with those actors, playing pretend with them, so when you see them again, it's like seeing a friend, and we anticipate having fun playing pretend with them again. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Oh I loved the way you put that! Yes, it’s as if we are playing pretend with them 😊 I get so excited to see some of these actors in other movies!!
“Conrad Veidt, who played Maj. Strasser, was well known in the theatrical community in Germany for his hatred of the Nazis, and his friendship with Jews. (His wife, Ilona "Lily" Prager", was Jewish.) He was forced to flee his own country when he learned the SS had sent a death squad after him. Veidt only played film villains during WWII as he was convinced that playing suave Nazi baddies would help the war effort”.
What a dude.
There's an even crazier case of a film maker fleeing Nazi Germany: Fritz Lang. Lang, who was Jewish, was approached by Josef Goebbels who wanted to make him Germany's 'Fuehrer of Film' with grand plans to have him helm all sorts of movie projects (Germany had a colossal film industry, rivaled only by Hollywood). After that meeting, Lang decided these guys were utterly insane and he high-tailed it out of Germany.
“Neither Ingrid Bergman nor Paul Henreid wanted to appear in the film. Bergman thought the material little more than fluff, whereas the role in For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943), one she desperately wanted to do, would do wonders for her career. Once the wrap date for "Casablanca" approached, she realized happily that she would be able to film the Ernest Hemingway story after all. For his part, Henreid had just starred with Bette Davis in Now, Voyager (1942), and the thought of playing second banana to Humphrey Bogart and Bergman, not to mention Claude Rains, just didn't sound like a promising prospect. Fortunately, he reconsidered.”
“In the 1980s this film's script was sent to readers at a number of major studios and production companies under its original title, "Everybody Comes to Rick's". Some readers recognized the script but most did not. Many complained that the script was "not good enough" to make a decent movie. Others gave such complaints as "too dated", "too much dialog" and "not enough sex".
It's funny, years ago I never cared for Casablanca. Then one day it was on TCM, I decided to watch it completely through and really pay attention to all the lines and goings on. I fell in love with it and understand why so many others love it too. Glad to see that younger people have an interest in the classic films. Found your channel today and will be watching from now on. Thank you.
To misquote Hipsters: "Turner Classic Movies is The Best!" (Long live Black-and-White, Silent and Foreign movies!;)
It's a pleasure to watch someone react and enjoy these truly classic films. It's also obvious you have done the research necessary to appreciate the historical setting and dialogue. Thank you for sharing your observations and commentary.
Wow! Thank you for watching! I am so glad you enjoyed! :)
Wow, this is so great! You are so thoughtful and entertaining with your research and interest in these older movies. I definitely get excited when I see someone in an older movie who I recognize too, for sure. I think I'm just proud of myself because if I recognize a supporting actor from 90 years ago, I feel like I deserve a high-five from myself.
My only complaint about this movie is: not enough Peter Lorre. Love that dude. Speaking of Peter, it boggles my mind that there were actors during WWII who came right out in public against Hitler, because as you said, we didn't know the outcome of the war until later. Just think what would have happened to Peter Lorre (and a lot of other anti-Nazi German actors, like Conrad Veidt, Marlene Dietrich, etc) if the Axis Powers had won. They were really sticking their necks out when a lot of people didn't.
Anyway, I love that you're doing the actual classics. I swear to god, if I hear one more person describe a movie from 1999 as an old movie, I won't be responsible for my actions.
La Resistance (The French Resistance) were some of the bravest people of the 20th century. They were ordinary citizens who used extremely innovative ways to hurt the German military in key strategic points. Excessively proud to have 50% French heritage.
On a side note, I watch a lot of people do reviews and I feel that you’re one of the best on RUclips. You definitely need more attention than you’re getting. You have found a niche where most people are not reviewing. You do your homework. You have an old soul. You have a good understanding of the evolution of film. I so look forward to your videos. I encourage everyone to spread the word about your channel!! 👏
Wow! I genuinely feel so blessed to have viewers like you! Your comment has me in tears! I am so incredibly grateful to be able to share my love for classic movies with all of you! This is one of the reasons why I love doing this because of this little community that we have created! Thank you so much for this comment and for watching! I appreciate you :)
P.S. I think what La Resistance did was incredibly brave! I definitely want to look more into their history! And I would be so proud, too!!
Also, your comment really stuck with me, so, if you don’t mind, I am going to post it to my Instagram! Thank you again for making my day :)
Have a great day. Wish you well!
There were resistance movements all over German-occupied Europe. The French just had better publicists in Hollywood.
They had a lot of damaging ways of getting to the Germans, some violent, some just nasty harassment. My favorite had to do with laundry! The Resistance had the launderess's mix ground glass into the soap they used when they were forced to do laundry for the occupying German troops. Now...think of how you would feel if your pants had tiny little bits of broken glass worked into the fibers. The French could be a hoot when they put their minds to it.
The last scene in the movie when he puts her on a plane. Her line, God Bless You, still makes me tear up, to this day.
At the time of the couple's parting from Rick at the airport, I enjoy Victor's line to Rick, "Welcome back to the fight. This time I know our side will win."
“Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet co-starred in many films, but here they have no scenes together.”
Bogie, Lorre, and Greenstreet were also all together in The Maltese Falcon.
If ya'll interested Peter Lorre's first feature film was M directed by Fritz Lang. He only had 11 mins screen time but he stole the movie. go check it out
When Isla whispers: "God bless you" That slays me everytime. Because you know she's saying "I love you".
I appreciate and share your fondness for movies and actors from the 40s and your attention to details. Subscribed.
PS: _To Have and Have Not_ with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall sizzles with political intrigue, romantic tension and memorable one-liners. “You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just put your lips together and blow.“
Most people watch this movie today without the historical facts. I appreciate you telling the story within the time period. One must understand this to really know what is going on. So many reactors only focus on the romance.
"...and wait...and wait...and wait."
I still get goosebumps.
You are amazing,..Casablanca is my favorite movie of all time and to see a Young black woman so affected by it and truly understand it warms My heart to no end..I must follow your channel:. "Here's looking at you kid!"
I am so happy you had the chance to watch this movie. One of my old time favorites.. Fun trivia fact - Dooley Wilson who played Sam was an actor and a drummer. He did not really play the piano.
Wow! Well he is a fantastic actor, I really loved his character in this film :)
Search youtube for "snl Casablanca" great reenactment of the final scene
There are some scenes in this movie that still have me tearing up with emotion. Doesn't matter how many times I've watched this movie.
You've really made a great choice when you selected "Casablanca"!
Another fantastic reaction, Mia!
It’s so exciting to see you get so giddy about old b&w films (and movie stars like Bogie) as much as teenagers today geek out about Marvel movies. It makes my day to see you light up like a kid on Xmas morning. I share the same enthusiasm about the things I love.
And you are seriously doing your homework too, droppin’ knowledge about camera moves, Max Steiner, the Hays Code, etc.
You asked for recommendations so I got a couple:
As far as musicals, I think you would love love love Judy Garland in the technicolor classic ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,” one of my all time faves.
And if you want to see Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman sizzle together on screen in glorious b&w then check them out in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Notorious’, also costarring Claude Raines!
As much as I love Ingrid Bergman in ‘Casablanca,’ I think she’s even better in ‘Notorious.’ She gives a more deeply layered, heartbreaking performance.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Jose! And thank you kindly for the recommendations! I wanted to also let you know that I put Notorious on the list for Hitchcock month! I am really excited to see Grant and Bergman’s chemistry (someone else said they had wonderful chemistry). Thank you for your recommendations and your comments, I really look forward to your comments :)
P.S. I should also note that I am a HUGE Marvel fan 😂😂 but sometimes the CG and extravagant fight scenes become redundant, so I am glad to have found these classic Hollywood masterpieces to escape to!!
I enjoy Marvel too and agree about redundancies. Can’t wait for Notorious!
@@JoseChavez-rf4ul sorry to veer off of the subject, but have you been watching WandaVision? If so, what do you think so far?
@@MoviesWithMia No problem! I think the classic family sitcom format was a cool and clever way to reintroduce us into the Marvel universe. The first two episodes seemed to catch a lot of viewers off guard but I personally loved them. They totally nailed the look, style, and feeling of those vintage shows and I really love Elizabeth Olsen. She gets the chance to show off her comedic chops (as does Paul Bettany) and she’s a natural. I also like the theme of that whole world created as a grief-coping mechanism.
Speaking of redundancies, I tend to tune out somewhat when the story strays away from their bubble (watching government/military types strategizing to take down our heroes gets a little predictable for me).
But I’m really into Wanda and Vision themselves and am looking forward to see how they wrap everything up.
How about you, Mia? What do you think?
Yay! I finally have someone to talk with this about! So, I really enjoy this show! I loved how they formatted the first three episodes (but I have to be honest, I was also slightly confused at first of where they were going with it 😅) but I really love Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen and their chemistry! And I feel that they are somehow going to introduce the multiverse in this series and also in the new Spider-Man movie, so I am super stoked to finish the series!!! I can’t wait to see how phase 4 unfolds!!!
Always a joy watching these classic movies with you, Mia ❤
A film that is the highest form of art and entertainment in one.
My favorite part of this movie is when Victor starts leading the French national anthem.
Honestly, me too I legitimately had goosebumps! It was such a powerful moment!
@@MoviesWithMia This is also my favorite scene in the film. Interesting fact: many of the supporting actors in that scene were from countries then occupied by the Nazis; some of them also fled the Nazis in real life. Their emotions during the scene were very real.
It’s the greatest scene in film history..
@@jacobjones5269 Totally agree.
As the camera moves toward the front door of Rick’s Cafe, I always imagined that is the way it feels to enter heaven!
I completely agree with you :)
I went to Indonesia a couple of years back. There's a cafe there called Cafe Batavia. The atmosphere of the cafe is what I imagine Rick's would have.
@@eatsmylifeYT Looked at pics online. Looks awesome!!!
@@Hawk170122 The food's fantastic too!
The German cannot take more direct action-- Casablanca was technically part of France, which had certain elements of independence. He dares not cause a public incident, even though the Vichy French government was a puppet regime.
“Rick's initial chess position: White: a2, b2, c2, d4, e5, f2, g2, h4, Ke1, Qd1, Ra1, Rh1, Bc1, Nc3, Ng1. Black: a7, b7, c5, d5, e6, f7, g7, h7, Ke8, Qe7, Ra8, Rh8, Bc8, Nb8, Nd7.”
Wow, someone is reacting to classic films?! You have a new subscriber here! I’ve been thinking about going through the TCM section of HBOMax and doing reactions myself.
If you like Peter Lorre and haven’t yet seen “M,” you really must. It’s an iconic performance.
For your musicals, I cannot recommend Victor/Victoria enough.
Hello, and welcome! Thank you so much for your recommendations! I will add them to the list :)
Long live Turner Classic Movies, Silent Sundays and TCM Imports!
I strongly endorse that recommendation; "M" is really the movie that made Lorre a star, and remains arguably his greatest performance ever. It's in German -- he would come to America not long after, if I recall correctly. And I'd love to see you react to The Maltese Falcon, which also stars Humphrey Bogart, Lorre, and (in his first movie role) Sidney Greenstreet.
@@richardzinns5314 what's amazing about Sidney greentree is he started acting at the age of 61. It's a shame he started so late in life.
Many thanks for bringing these old films to a younger audience , who somehow think good movies could not have been done in the past .
“Casablanca, Morocco, was one of the key stops for refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe, which is why the original playwrights chose the city for the setting of their play (though initially they had opted for Lisbon)”.
“During production, Humphrey Bogart was called to the studio to stand in the middle of the Rick's Cafe set and nod. He had no idea what the nod meant in the story--that he was giving his O.K. for the band in the cafe to play the "Marseillaise”.
“After Rick does a favor for a young couple, Sascha says a line in Russian: "Nu, kakoi chelovek, eto zamechatyelno!". This translates loosely to "Wow, what a man. That's remarkable!"
I love this movie. Cast is perfect. I'm female I appreciate good looking men, but Ingrid Bergman in this movie is stunning, when she smiles, it's like she is lit from within, as someone commented on another thread. Also the scene where she says 'If you knew how much you I loved you, how much I still love you" with tears streaming down her face, unmatched. I read her autobiography, and when she came to Hollywood the studio's wanted her to wear more make up, change other things about her looks, she refused, didn't hurt her career. Many stars of today could learn from that, many look so fake with so much plastic surgery, Madonna, Kim Kardashian. As a fellow scandinavian (Denmark) I'm proud of Ingrid Bergman she is one of a kind.
Been sarching for a channel like this, and boom... there you are. Great reactions, great picks and kudos for doing some homework on the films (unlike most reactors). Best wishes for you and your channel from on classic movie fan to another. Subbed.
Welcome :) I am glad you found the channel! Thank you for subscribing!
At 22:23 you were talking about no guns being drawn etc. As stated several times in the movie, even by Laslo himself, they were in "unoccupied" France. After France surrendered to Germany in 1940, Germany occupied and was the government of northern France. There were occupation troops everywhere. There were submarine bases up and down the Atlantic cost. There were Luftwaffe, German air force, bases near the cost so that they could bomb England. Southern France was unoccupied. The French government moved from Paris, which was in the German zone, to Vichy, France. It was called Vichy France. Vichy France still controlled most of the French colonies and overseas possessions. Casablanca was an overseas possession. The Germans in the film are observers that are there to make sure that the locals are remaining neutral as required by the surrender of France to Germany. This is why the Germans cannot just outright arrest Laslo.
“The iconic "La Marsaillaise" sequence was intended to have been even more pointed against the Nazis. The original song Maj. Strasser and the other Germans were to sing was not "Die Wacht am Rhein", a patriotic song written in 1840 and extensively used in the Franco-German War and in World War I, but instead "Das Horst-Wessel-Lied", the Nazi Party anthem and unofficial second national anthem of Nazi Germany. However, Warner Bros. changed it when it realized that the song was under copyright, which wouldn't have been a problem if the film were only being distributed in Allied territory. However, as the film was going to be released in neutral countries as well, it could have caused major diplomatic headaches and even opened Warner Bros. to the absurd possibility of being sued by the Nazis for copyright infringement. Or having to pay them royalties”.
Alan Cranston, later to be a Senator of California, has the hallmark of being the only American sued by Adolf Hitler for producing an unauthorized English translation of 'Mein Kampf'. America entered WWII before the case was settled and, naturally, it didn't go forward once the US was at war with Germany.
Mia, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship~
Sorry, I couldn't resist.. but I've seen a good deal of folks on RUclips watching movies and you've got like, that extra pepper sauce of excitement and appreciation of the ongoing art of film. This is one of my favorite movies to sit back and enjoy in the afternoon, maybe with a drink or four, along with a smoke break-- but the absolutely awesome character dialogue in this whole story is what makes it a great choice, and a good talking point too. I'm subbed and bell'd, and I look forward to getting thru your library of vids now, thank you for your hard work in advance!
Great reaction--appreciate the fact that you're watching classic films from the Golden Era. Not many RUclipsrs react to anything prior to the 1970s. Just subscribed to your channel.
Casablanca is one of my favorite films and Curtiz's direction with the fluid camera movements (the zoom in shots you really enjoyed are referred to as "dolly shots) is highly under appreciated by the casual moviegoer. Also, someone may have mentioned this but the composer for the film, Max Steiner, actually didn't want to include "As Time Goes By" (it was a song that was released years prior to the film) but the director insisted--and thank God he did.
Personally, I think RIck and Ilsa's romance is the greatest romance in cinema history, "As Time Goes By" is the greatest song in cinema history because of the significance it plays, and the bittersweet ending makes the film have an even greater impact, even nearly 80 years later.
If you're looking for other all-time great cinematic classics, I highly recommend the following:
It Happened One Night (considered THE romantic comedy that set the standard for the genre; also one of only 3 films to win the "Big 4" at the Academy Awards)
Double Indemnity (considered one of the great film noirs)
Sunset Blvd (also considered one of the great film noirs)
Singin' in the Rain (even if you're not big into musicals--this is THE musical--and it will surely brighten your day)
The Apartment (essentially the bookend of the romantic comedy genre--helped end the Hays Code and won Best Picture)
Hi Andrew! Thank you for your recommendations! I absolutely agree with you about Rick and Ilsa’s romance! It was one of the greatest cinematic romances that I have ever seen in a film! Also, I am really glad that they decided to leave in the song “As Time Goes By” because I think it adds a depth to Rick and Ilsa’s romance that makes it so special! Thank you for your insight about the dolly shots! I think that the fact that Curtiz decided to use that style of cinematography was such a wonderful idea! I felt like I was right there with them while watching those scenes, especially in Rick’s Cafe! One more thing I wanted to add, we are starting Musicals in March on Wednesday and it would be my pleasure to react to Singin in the Rain! Thank for so much for recommending and thank you for subscribing to the channel!!
The reason max steiner didn't want as time goes buy. He felt the song was to old for the film.
Correction as time goes by.
The only fact I know about this film is when the French are singing their national anthem those are actual French people who had to leave their country.
Yeah, someone else remarked on that in the comments! I think it made the scene so much more impactful! It is by far my favorite scene of this movie!
It's hard to imagine how those people felt, watching the seemingly-invincible fascist forces occupy their country and not knowing if they'd ever get it back. The rage, fear, sorrow, and fierce hope on display are breathtaking.
Vive la democracie!
Another awesome reaction Mia. And thank you for showing my comment. WOW, that was unexpected! @ 9:00 Sidney Greenstreet. Talk about a guy who could dole out the dialog! He and Peter Lorre (Ugarte) did several good movies together you would like, Three Strangers, The Verdict and first time together with Bogey in The Maltese Falcon (1941). Do Maltese sometime! Another good Bogart classic he's most known for. @ 25:00 My grandmother took my mom to the theater often while my grandfather was overseas in the war, and they saw this incredible movie when it came out in 1943. She and my grandma said when they finished playing the French anthem they were out of their seats cheering and clapping along with the rest of the theater at that point! Many, including them were still in a scary but patriotic mood all the time and this movie cheered them up. @ 25:43 If you want to see a Bogey movie with REAL romance behind and in front of the camera, do "To Have and Have Not" (1944), where the married Bogart stars with his young future wife, Lauren Bacall in her first screen role. There was a lot in the news about that at the time. @ 26:00 Very interesting. Recall too near the end Rick telling Victor about he and Ilsa, "....for your sake she pretended (to love Rick), and I let her pretend." Suggesting without being overt. BTW, the scene title on my DVD that contains that quote there is called 'A Gentleman's Explanation', LOL! @ 29:55 Oh man, my mom said at this scene the crowd erupted with cheering. Notice that little sly look between Louis and Rick? Up to that point nobody knew which side Louis was really on, Vichy or Free French. It must have been a relief to the audience! Couple of things edited out of the video worth noting is the hilarious moment soon after the French anthem was sung Louis was ordering Rick's club to shut down and telling him, "I'm shocked! Shocked to find gambling's going on here." Then Emil the croupier hands him a wad of cash saying "Your winnings sir." and Louis quickly grabs it saying "Thank you very much. Everyone out at once!" And Rick gives him that look! Then later Rick telling Louis his gun is pointed at his heart and Louis replies, "That is my least vulnerable spot." Those were funny! But what a movie eh?
Wow! Thank you for your insight! And thank you for sharing your mother and grandmother’s story! That is something to be treasured! Also, thank you for recommending To Have and Have Not! I am definitely going to have to watch that one! I love when off-screen couples do movies together (with the exception of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in Gigli. That one was just bad 😂) so I will definitely check that one out! Thank you again!!
@@MoviesWithMia You'll like 'To Have and Have Not'. Looking forward to your next movie reaction!
Most people talk about the tight script, the quotable lines, the lighting, the camerawork....
I love what a witty wisecrack Rick is. Gives me Malcom Reynolds(Firefly) vibes. But its just not talked about more because of how serious and isolationist Rick is.
Are my eyes really brown?
8:10
I was literally thinking "Well it must be because it's post- Citizen Kane" and then you said Citizen Kane yourself right after!
Hahaha! That is hilarious! Yes, I figured that it might have been influenced by the cinematography of Citizen Kane because of the risks they took in that film and the success that they had!
It had nothing to do with Citizen Kane. Michael Curtiz, the director used this many previous movies in the early 1930s.
Wow. This film is so enshrined in popular culture - almost every line is a meme - that I'm still surprised when someone hasn't seen it. It isn't like the days before home video when the only way to see such films was a TV re-run or a re-release in theatres (which didn't happen much except Disney every seven years). I never saw "Casablanca" until I was almost 30 and had moved to a big city where there were a couple of repertory theatres which only showed old classics. Sadly, those theatres have now gone the way of the dodo. It's really worth seeing these classics on a big theatre screen as was intended. Pre-Covid, some of the major chains were doing special showings of classics every month or so, but who knows now...
About camera motion... remember that color filming at this time, especially 3-strip Technicolor, required cameras which were much bulkier than B&W cameras, plus extra bright lighting. Filming in B&W allowed a bit more freedom. In 1942, even movies with sound had only been around for about ten years, so it's amazing what some talented people managed to create. Speaking of which, I believe "King Kong" (1933) was the first major movie released with a dedicated score... also by Max Steiner who did "Casablanca".
Bergman and Claude Rains worked together again (plus Cary Grant!) in "Notorious" (1946), one of Alfred Hitchcock's best.
We still have cinemas here in Europe that show the oldies regularly on the big screen. Come on over after the pandemic!
Wow, thank you so much for sharing that! I especially loved the music in this film! The Knock on Wood song is officially on my Spotify playlist :)
you just gave me a flashback - avoiding college assignments by driving 2 hours to the Nuart, Vista, or other long-gone rep houses to see classics and obscure films.
Absolutely love you're enthusiasm for Hollywood's golden age. X
Hello Mia! My name is Eghosa and I am actually one of your subscribers. I really appreciate the fact that you are talking about Classic Cinema in the process. In addition, I recommend you watch Turner Classic Movies in order to continue to increase your knowledge of film since I really adore your boldness to react to Classics. By the way, here are some recommendations for your channel to react to:
1.) From Here to Eternity
2.) On the Waterfront
3.) The Bicycle Thief
4.) The Apartment (1960)
5.) Some Like it Hot
6.) Seven Samurai
7.) Rear Window
8.) Singin in the Rain
9.) Army of Shadows (1969)
Mia, feel free to watch and enjoy to where you will grow in your film knowledge. I will be patient as possible so take your time to watch the films. Also, I added some foreign selections in order to show versatility so that you can expand your film knowledge as well. Thank you, Mia for reacting and continue to grow in your passion for film.
Hi Eghosa! Thank you for subscribing to the channel! Also, I greatly appreciate your recommendations! Thank you so much, I will add them to the list :)
Love your reactions to the classics I’ve been watching for years thank you . Might I suggest The Life And Death Of Cornel Blimp
My favorite classic film is "Notorious" by Alfred Hitchcock, it's such a great movie! I definitely recommend you to watch it :)
Yes, I agree! Not necessarily my favorite, but a very good one. I just saw it recently, and I was struck by how believable Cary Grant was as a romantic lead in this one. I love Cary Grant, but I don't generally see him as having much romantic chemistry in his films... comedic chemistry, definitely, but in Notorious, I could really believe that he was in love with Ingrid Bergmann's character.
I just put Notorious on the schedule for Hitchcock month! I am excited to watch it!
@@MoviesWithMia Hitchcock month! How cool is that? I'm sure you'll be flooded with suggestions and, never being one to hold back an opinion, here are my faves: Spellbound, Rear Window, The Lady Vanishes and North by Northwest.
I have Rear Window and North by Northwest on this list! I was going to watch Spellbound in February, but when I noticed it was by Hitchcock I left it for his month!! And I will add the Lady Vanishes!! Thank you for recommending!!
@@MoviesWithMia oh, and I almost forgot.. Strangers on a Train (just saw it recently and think it may be one of his best!)
Finally found my soulmate content creator for my love in Classic Hollywood films. A new subscriber here from the Philippines. Please continue the Wonderful content. Love lots.
Welcome aboard! And thank you so much for watching 😁
I hope Singing In The Rain is in your Musical March program. It's great.
Oh yes! It definitely is!!!!
@@MoviesWithMia a much rarer gem is "Stormy Weather"(1943).
It features Dooley Wilson/Sam (also Lena Horne, Fats Waller and Cab Calloway), ironically one of the few who don't sing in that musical.
Casablanca is one of my favorite films of all time. Loved Ingrid's clothes and hats.. stylin! Not to mention she was probably the most beautiful actress of the 1940s.
If you're doing movie musicals (you might have them all picked out) but some older ones: Top Hat (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), Meet Me in St Louis (Judy Garland), Footlight Parade (pre Hays code with two lines delivered with perfection by Joan Blondell and over the top musical numbers supposedly being put on on a regular stage), West Side Story (which you may have already seen), Sound of Music (which is one of the few musicals that I believe is better as a movie than as a stage performance--I mean the opening scene alone is worth watching) Singin in the Rain, and for good measure--a Shirley Temple movie (I don't really have a favorite). As far as movies dealing with war, I highly recommend The Best Years of Our Lives which deals with returning soldiers and their families--one of the best movies I've ever seen dealing with WW 2 veterans.
Thank you for your recommendations, Babs B! I will definitely consider your musical recommendations! Thank you so much! And I think I need to dedicate a month to war movies from the 1940s because there is more insight on what life might have been like and I am fascinated with this genre of movies! I feel like I learn more about WW2 when watching these films than I ever did in grade school 😂. I will definitely consider giving a month to these movies! Thank you so much!
I ditto that recommendation of The Best Years of Our Lives! Magnificent film!
@@MoviesWithMia For a British look at the war, a recommendation is Mrs Miniver.
I will definitely add that to the list thank you for your recommendation :)
You are one hell of a knowledgeable lady. Truly enjoyed your commentary and learnt a few things too.
Wow, thank you so much for watching 😁
This is Humphrey Bogart’s 2nd best role after The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Also check out The Great Dictator, the other great Anti-Nazi movie of the 1940’s.
I will definitely check that out! Thank you for recommending!!
This isn’t even in the top five of Boogies best
I grew up watching this movie....by the time I saw it the first time, the movie had been out for about 25 years or so. I also I love how enthusiastic you are about old classics like this. I am definitely hitting the subscribe button.
Hi John! Welcome :) thank you for subscribing! I am so glad that you enjoyed!
There's a scene early in that would interest you, and your viewers who know the movie well. Recall the French guy the Vichy police shot in the back running away because his papers were expired. He fell under a poster of the pro-Vichy prime minister and Marshal of France, Philippe Pétain with his quote to Casablanca translated as "I keep my promises even those of others." The irony is the poor guy shot was carrying Free French material and died right under the image of Pétain who later was tried and convicted for treason after the war.
Oh wow! Yeah, how ironic! Thank you for sharing that :)
“When this film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Jack L. Warner was first on stage to accept the award, beating the film's actual producer, Hal B. Wallis, who was incensed at this slight and never forgave Warner. Wallis, at the time regarded as the "wunderkind" at the studio, left Warner Brothers shortly afterwards”.
Love, love, love that you're reacting to these classic films!
A little background: when the Nazis occupied France they changed governing capital from Paris to Vichy, where they had set up a puppet French government. So, to support Vichy, meant supporting the Nazi regime. Hope that clears that up for you.
I enjoyed your reaction, and hope to see more like it. Just a suggestion, but I think in this case, you knew too much about the movie before watching it. So instead of experiencing a lot of the beats that were so powerful, you were concentrated on the behind-the-scenes facts, etc.
It's great to have background on a film, and I'm impressed that you make the effort to do research. But sometimes it's better, at least for reaction sake, to go in a bit less informed. Loved the reaction nonetheless. Keep it up!
Very interesting insight! And I appreciate your feedback, when I was editing this, I noticed that I missed a lot of important and powerful moments! So, I will definitely keep that in mind in future reactions! Thank you so much :)
@@MoviesWithMia You're very welcome, and I'm so glad you're taking the time to visit these old classics. It's refreshing to see reactions to movies so many younger viewers will never even know about.
One more thing about your Casablanca reaction, though I enjoyed it, I can't believe you never mentioned the relationship b/w Rick and Capt. Renault. It's one of the greatest bro-mances in film history! I understand it's hard to pick and choose which parts to include in just 10 mins of useable film per video. Maybe in the future, when you're doing reactions to these iconic films, and you know that there are going to be so many 'classic' moments, a two-part reaction might be in order. What people like me that watch your videos really want to see is how you react to the most iconic parts. After all, is it really a Casablanca reaction w/o seeing you react to "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"?
Again, thanks for making these videos. You've gained a subscriber and I hope to see you react to many more film classics. I've got a ton of suggestions that I'm certain you'll love so let me know what the best way to get them to you is.
@@jasonpalacio2115 thank you 😁 for recommendations, you can put them in the comments, you can DM me through Instagram or Twitter @mamamiatiffany, or you can email me! I have had people do all, so whichever is most convenient for you :) thank you again for subscribing to the channel!
One of my very favorite films. It is famous for having 6 most quoted lines. More than the next 2 films combined. There is 1 thing that the screenwriters got wrong. Rick fought in Spain. The Ger. used 77mm guns in WWI, but in Spain and WWII it used 75mm guns. And, actually it had armed the field artillery with 105mm gun-howitzers, and only used 75 mm guns late in the war when it could not make enough 105s because of Allied bombing.
Production code aside, they could not afford to turn Laszlo into a martyr by executing him. Best. Leo.
Makes sense :) thank you for that insight :)
‘Casablanca’ is renowned and is justly acknowledged as one of the most romantic films of all time but it is much more than the tale of a love triangle. Of course, it shows that the power of love can affect the human psyche, as demonstrated by Rick’s metamorphosis.
This film has so many levels to it that it takes many viewings to appreciate them. The main theme is not romance but self-sacrifice as the film’s message to the world at war is to give up the personal agenda for the common cause. It reminds wartime audiences, many of whom have loved ones fighting abroad, that their situation is the same as that of Rick, Ilsa and Victor.
The screenplay is so intelligently written. It is a masterpiece of complexity, containing subliminal political opinions and messages all carried along on a thrilling plot with brilliant one-liners and memorable quotes, comedic elements together with contemporary, social commentaries. Basically, the film is politically motivated because it is a plea to America to join the war. Please note that the action takes place in pre-Pearl Harbour, December, 1941.
This is the the first non-musical movie to use music almost as an another protagonist, (which Tarantino does now). For example, ‘As Time Goes By’ is a valuable recurring theme and, in Paris, Rick and Ilsa dance to ‘Perfidia’ which means untrustworthiness.
Michael Curtiz’s direction is multi-faceted: Documentary, Film Noir, German Expressionism, Flashback etc. He is the master of creating the plot via seamlessly connecting a series of rapid-fire vignettes.
POINTS OF INTEREST AND NOTES FOR SUBSEQUENT VIEWINGS.
Rick’s initial selfishness, (I stick my neck out for nobody’), is a metaphor for USA indifference. It must be remembered that the events and politics are hard to comprehend and put into perspective for modem audiences than in the actual time when the film was made. The script is a 'State of the Union' address, both for home and foreign policies. There are references to Civil Rights as embodied in Sam and, of course, the debate about America’s involvement in the conflict.
Each character represents a country e.g. Two Japanese plotting . The Italian on the tail of the German. American indifference. French collaborators, the British robbed by foreign policy. Even the Balkans are mentioned via the Bulgarian couple. Rick’s actions symbolise the USA in its change in policy from isolationism to participation and ‘….the beginning of a beautiful friendship…’ is the USA and Europe joining forces to fight Nazism.
There is subtle direction. For example, Ilsa wears black and white clothes and is cast in shadows and in a mirror which portrays the ambiguity of her role.
The ‘La Marseillaise’ scene is the pivotal moment in which both Ilsa and Rick realise that saving Victor is more important than their own personal relationship. It also comes in just as Rick and Victor are about to argue over Ilsa but both drop the issue when they hear the music. This scene is rousing now but imagine how it must have felt for audiences right in the middle of the war when Germany seemed invincible and we need to put it in perspective in terms of world events full of Nazi domination.
The facial close-ups used throughout the film speak a thousand words: but particularly note Ilsa during ‘La Marseillaise’ when her expressions show her admiration of Victor’s power and her realisation that this must be preserved at all costs.
In any case... there is so much alcohol!!!!
POINTS TO WATCH
‘It’s December, 1941 in Casablanca: what time is it in New York?...
I bet they are asleep all over America’. PEARL HARBOUR
‘Even Nazis can’t kill that fast’
CONCENTRATION CAMPS
‘I don’t buy or sell human beings..’
CIVIL RIGHTS
The Bulgarian couple keep appearing as symbols of hope and determination.
In the bar room fight over Yvonne, Rick attacks the German only and not the Frenchman.
Captain Renault dumps the bottle of Vichy water to represent his rejection of the Nazi- collaborating French Government which was located in Vichy.
Just one example of the excellent and complex scriptwriting occurs immediately after the roulette scene. The girl thanks Rick for letting her husband win and Rick replies, ‘He’s just a lucky guy’, which, on the face of it, refers to the gambling, but, in Rick’s mind, means that the husband is ‘lucky’ because his partner truly loves him.
Mia, I love that you're watching Casablanca. Years ago, at a Fathom Events TCM screening, Casablanca was *sold out*, I was shocked (I still got in tho!). Still such a beloved movie. Sometime you really need to see Neil Simon's The Cheap Detective, a truly loving parody of Casablanca and also the Noir crime genre. It's take on so many classic Casablanca moments will stick with you...I had them in my head watching your reaction!
Thank you for your recommendation, Justin! And I could only imagine what that screening must have been like! It is amazing how much love this film still gets!
This movie is a love story, comedy and drama. It’s absolutely wonderful.
It’s so sad how companies hang on to the copyrights to these old films,like an
old chair that might have an penny lodged in the lining.
I know! It makes it hard to really show these classics in their entirety!
What I liked about this film is that all the characters were willing to sacrifice for the others. Rick sacrificed his desire for Ilsa and did the right thing putting both Ilsa and Victor on the plane. What is less clear is that Ilsa may have been willing to stay with Rick only in order to ensure that Rick would put Victor on the plane. In fact Rick suggests to Victor that Ilsa was only with him the night before to ensure that Victor would get the letters of transit. Was Ilsa really in love with Rick to the extent to leave Victor or was she making the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that Victor got out of Casablanca to continue his important resistance work? Remember Rick was bitter and self-proclaimed to be selfish and not sticking his neck out for anyone, so Ilsa may have thought the only way to get Victor out was to sacrifice herself (not that she was totally unwilling) to Rick. And Victor of course was willing to let Rick escape with Ilsa if that was the only way Ilsa could escape. Rick ultimately saves the day by rejecting his selfish ways, sacrificing his love and returning to the war cause. But its rare in film these days to see all the characters by self-less when so many modern film characters are selfish and flawed.
"How convenient that there were two German couriers murdered for their exit visas." The writer was indeed fortunate that this occurred. It would have made his job much more difficult if it hadn't. We would certainly would have had a different movie. Ilsa could have stayed behind with Rick. Happy ending. Best. Leo.
I feel satisfied with the way it ended because I don’t feel like it would be realistic if Ilsa stayed with him, especially after he would have to leave Casablanca to escape the Nazis. I liked the way it ended :)
@@MoviesWithMia Sorry to be misleading. I was just joking. If it had been funny, it would have been perfect. Best. Leo.
@@michaelbastraw1493 oh no worries :) I was just thinking about if they had allowed Ilsa to stay with Rick... I am glad the writers decided to keep her with Lazlo :) sorry if I sounded aloof 😅
@@MoviesWithMia Not at all. Couldn't hear it from here. While I have you on the line, I meant to mention I discovered your channel this morning and watched some of the videos.(I'm guessing Casablanca was the word my algorithm found.) I was getting ready to recommend some Rodgers and Hammerstein, when, lo and behold, you present one of the Big Three. When I was aged 11, our whole family traveled 50 miles to the big city to see the opening of The Sound of Music. We were all entranced, bought the album, and proceeded to where the grooves off. Best. Leo.
Love this movie, Casablanca ... after all this time. Still made me cry at the end. Fabulous ending, fabulous lines. 💞
"This is the end of the chase."
"Twenty thousand francs says it isn't"
"Make it ten, I'm only a poor corrupt official."
So many quotable moments in this film :)
@@MoviesWithMia If you have never seen the movie WERE NO ANGELS (1955) with Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray - it gets my recommendation as a great Bogart film.
I will definitely add that to the list! Thank you for recommending :)
How extravagent you are, throwing women away. Some day they may be scarce!
@@MoviesWithMia High Sierra
You are outstanding. So knowledgable and insightful. Just wonderful!!
Wow, thank you so much :) This means a lot!
I think Casablanca is as close to perfect as a movie can get.
Yes! It is definitely in my top favs!
@@MoviesWithMia what are your favorites?
Just subscribed! I only watch Casablanca once a year...Christmas Day... Bogart's Birthday...I get drunk.. LOL
Haha! Yes! Welcome to the channel!! That’s awesome!!!!
a subtle but great line is when Bergman asks Bogart where he was 10 years ago, and he says "looking for a job".... the whole sad history of the Great Depression is in those words and the look on Bogart's face when he speaks them
Absolutely love this analysis of Casablanca! This is my first time watching one of your videos and I really appreciate the work you’ve done to make this. You are so informed with the background of the movie and the production, I really appreciate it. I’m a musician studying musicology and this movie has the incredibly magnificent “play La Marseillaise” scene, which means a lot to me. Thank you for the awesome reaction to this movie and I’m psyched to see all of your others! Glad to subscribe and enjoy your work!
I do get so excited by these old classics and my friends think I am insane
“Leonid Kinskey was cast because he was Humphrey Bogart's drinking buddy. He was not the first choice for the role--he replaced Leo Mostovoy, who was deemed not funny enough”.
EVERY single role in this movie is perfectly cast. Even the minor roles.
Laszlo was supposed to meet Ugarte at Rick's to get the Letters of Transit; so yes, it was deliberate that there were 2 LoT and two people who needed them. It was prearranged that Ugarte was meeting them to give the LoT to them. It's easy to miss but if you watch it 100x, you catch that detail because it is casually mentioned a few times.
Mia, you got me with this reaction. I love your enthusiasm. As I get older I find it just too bad that generation after generation is just more lost, not only to how entertaining these movies are but also to the significance of the time that they were made. You strike me as a true history buff like myself. I look forward to more reactions from you. Keep it up.
Best movie review compared to the other 10 reviews on RUclips.
“Rick never says "Play it again, Sam." He says: "You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!" The incorrect line has become the basis for spoofs in movies such as A Night in Casablanca (1946) and Play It Again, Sam (1972)”.
You did a great job! Kudos for noticing the camera work! A lot of people and things came together very well for this movie. Curtiz fled Paris through Portugal to escape. He was Jewish. The croupier and 'Yvonne' were real-life husband and wife. He also was Jewish. They also had to flee Paris (first car, then bicycle!) through Portugal! The bartender SZ Szakal (sp) had a sister die in a German concentration camp. Those people, like 'Yvonne' cried real tears during the duelling anthems scene!
Ingrid always said in interviews that she never knew who Ilsa would end up with because they were writing the script scenes the night before. So she had to act like she could end up with either Victor or Rick. And we never knew how how it would turn out at the airport until it happened.
Dang! That is amazing! She was such a talented actress!!
“Rick and Ilsa standing over Sam's piano in Paris was the first scene to be shot. Filming a tender love scene with two actors who had just met was not planned, but the filming of Now, Voyager (1942) had gone over schedule, so Paul Henreid and Claude Rains were not available.”
“Because the film was made during WWII the production was not allowed to film at an airport after dark for security reasons. Instead, it used a sound stage with a small cardboard cutout airplane and forced perspective. To give the illusion that the plane was full-sized, they used little people to portray the crew preparing the plane for take-off. Years later the same technique was used in Alien (1979), in the scene where the crew discovers the dead "space jockey", with director Ridley Scott's son and some of his friends in scaled-down spacesuits.”
After the fall of France, a French "Vichy" gov't was established, which collaborated with the Nazis. That detail would have been understood by filmgoers who followed the news.
This film wasn't "about" WW II but is steeped in that immediately present context. That's one reason it so resonated with audiences.
the "coincidences" you speak about: "Brief Encounter," . . . "Inglorious Bastards," . . . are all very real, as is the "Christ-light" entrance of Ilse into the cafe. Film students (particularly college film students), learn these "coincidences" as part of many film classes. A great trivia item also: the Ford Tri-motor plane with its Swastika was actually flown over L.A. to land at the airport twice, and caused public panic in the city.