Today is the 72nd Anniversary of the release of one of my favorite movies ever, Casablanca. Originally scheduled to premier in June 1943, the studio moved up the launch to November 26, 1942, 18 days after the Allies landed in North Africa.
As you know, the film starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains and Dooley Wilson. (Trivia alert-It was produced by Hal B. Wallis, the same guy who produced True Grit (1969) starring John Wayne.)
Casablanca won three Academy Awards: Outstanding Motion Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing (screenplay). Humphrey Bogart was nominated for Best Actor. Other Oscar nominees included: Claude Rains-Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and Best Music.
It ranks near the top of most greatest-movies-of-all-times lists and is one of the most quoted and (misquoted) movies ever.
Casablanca Quotes
- “Here’s looking at you, kid,” was voted the fifth most memorable line in cinema in the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Movie Quotes. Also appearing on the list were:
- “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” (Listed #20.)
- Often misquoted as “Play it again, Sam,” Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa actually said, “Play it once, Sam, for old times’ sake.” When Dooley Wilson’s character said he couldn’t remember the song, she told him, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” “Play it Sam” came in as the 28th favorite quote.
- “Round up the usual suspects.” (#32)
- “We’ll always have Paris.” (#43)
- “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” (#67)
Even 72 years later Casablanca is still making news. This week (November 24), the upright piano played by Sam in the movie sold for $3,413,000 at auction. (Trivia alert: Dooley was a drummer and had to fake tickling the ivories.) The movie’s other piano, which was shown in flashback scenes in Paris, brought $602,500 when it was sold at auction in 2012. Buyers also purchased the production house-made letters of transit for $118,750 and the exterior doors of Rick’s Casablanca cafe for $115,000.
Thank you, Bogie. Here’s looking at you.
