3
Casablanca
Release date 26th November 1942
Country: USA
Running
time: 102 minutes
Genre
: Romance/War
Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman
Screenplay by Philip, Julius Epstein and Howard Koch
Directed by Michael Curtiz
The greatest Hollywood studio
production showcasing Warner brothers and the industry at itrs peak.The film's overall shape, with its
incredible pace and the marvelous cross cutting injection of characters
and bits that gives the film its international flavor, emanates from
the direction of Michael Curtiz. The lead performances are stunning.
Paul Henreid is quiet and resolute as the underground leader, an
understanding man whose tolerance is nobility itself. Ingrid Bergman is
exquisite as Ilsa, bringing tremendous sensitivity to her portrayal of
this woman who loves two men in very different ways. And of course
Bogart in his
definitive heroic role : play it sam and again and again.
The
studio first announced that Ronald Reagan, Ann Sheridan, and Dennis
Morgan would play the leads; then Hedy Lamarr was considered for the
role of Ilsa, but Louis B. Mayer would not loan her out.
Though
Jack Warner suggested that George Raft might do for Rick,producer Hal
B. Wallis argued successfully that the part was being written for Bogart. The third lead was intended for
Paul Henreid, but studio executives felt he would not take a lesser
role than Bogart's, so several other actors were considered for Laszlo,
including Ian Hunter, Herbert Marshall, Dean Jagger, and Philip Dorn.
Carl Esmond and Jean-Pierre Aumont were tested for the part and found
wanting; even Joseph Cotten was a contender.
The magnificent
supporting cast was built player by player, with Claude Rains selected
first and Warner players Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre added next. Otto
Preminger was the first choice for Strasser, but Conrad Veidt was cast
instead and played the evil and conniving Nazi to perfection.
One of
the film's most memorable players was almost eliminated from the cast
in the early going. Dooley Wilson, who had appeared in the Broadway
production of Cabin in the Sky with Ethel Waters, was tested for Sam
and tentatively accepted by Wallis, but the producer later thought
veteran black actor Clarence Muse might be better in the role, and even
Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald were considered for the café
entertainer's spot. Eventually, Wilson got the part, but, since he was
a drummer, the piano was dubbed by studio musician Elliot Carpenter.
While
the Epstein brothers worked excitedly on the script, Howard Koch was
brought in to develop characterization. Everyone contributed: "Here's
looking at you, kid," was provided by the Epsteins, along with the
"round up the usual suspects" order from Renault; Wallis himself came
up with "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful
friendship. "
When Bergman
conferred with the scriptwriters on the three-way romance, the Epsteins
told her she should "play it in between," since they had no idea how
the film would end. In one version, Ilsa was to go with Laszlo; in an
alternate ending, she would stay behind. After the studio saw the first
ending on film, however, it was agreed to allow Rick to lose Ilsa and
win the respect of the world; the second ending was never shot.
Bergman, who had not acted with Bogart before (and never did again),
was initially fearful of the tough guy she had seen in many crime
films, but found him a complete professional who worked hard and then
made it look terribly easy for the camera.
Written content copyright Derek McLellan,2005.
Copyright © The Fedora Chronicles
