Classic Movie This Week
Casablanca
1942
Director: Michael Curtiz
Actors: Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine
Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa LundPaul Henreid as Victor LaszloClaude Rains as Captain RenaultSydney Greenstreet as Signor FerrariPeter Lorre as Ugarte There are four very good Humphrey Bogart movies this particular evening, beginning at 8pm eastern time. If you have not seen any of them and can only see one, I think Casablanca is the best for you. Many will point to The Maltese Falcon because of the director and because it was Bogart's first shot at the big time. Many, including Bogart's son, will point to Treasure of the Sierra Madre because it is a very gritty performance by Bogart. Casablanca, however, provides intrigue and love, wrapped in WWII adventure.
At the beginning of the movie, WWII is really just an interruption and an annoyance to Bogart's character, Rick, who owns a nightclub in Casablanca (North Africa), a hub of secret activity during the war. At the time, Europeans seeking refuge in America had to go through Casablanca. And Ingrid? Well, her character quietly abandoned Rick some time ago in Paris, so Rick pretty much hates her guts. There are reasons for everything though, and it comes together at Rick's in Casablanca.
