Ok so I'm a sucker for old movies. Especially Abbott and Costello and film noir Bogart movies. This is inevitably due to the fact that growing up in Southern California we were regulated to black and white movies on the weekend as the primary source of entertainment. Sometimes with Tom Hatten (host of the Family Film Festival on KTLA in the 70s) introducing them. I ate them up, I loved them. I had a black and white television in my bedroom so it didn’t matter that the movies were black and white. I developed an affinity for them that drives my kids and wife nuts up to this day.
And there is always Casablanca. One of my all time favorites. It’s origination was a play called Everybody Comes to Rick that was purchased by Warner Brothers and reworked into the classic movie it is today. The Black and White film pops in many scenes with shadows used to great effect. I have seen it over 100 times in my life and will likely see it many more. I can recite the dialog scene for scene. Claude Rains had the role of his career as Louis Renault, the corrupt frenemy of Humphrey Bogart’s Rick. The character is so indicative of all politicians, even today. The famous scene where he is busting Rick’s casino for illegal gambling, and proclaims “I'm shocked! Shocked to find that gambling is going on here..” and then is handed his winnings by a casino exec, could be a scene in Washington today. Peter Lorre as Ugarte is another great addition. He is at his all time weasly best. The movie is loaded with great secondary characters. Sidney Greenstreet, Paul Henreid, Dooley Wilson and Conrad Veidt all contribute immensely.
This is a movie that entertains as well as moves. The sacrifice that Ilsa is willing to give up to the cause is amazing. To convince Rick to give her husband (the Great Resistance fighter) papers to pass that cannot be rescinded, she is willing to stay with Rick and give up her marriage. This only to have Rick give up even more to get her out of there as well. All of this is brought to the screen with great pathos and a wonderful sense of humor. Plus the dialogue is whip smart and overwhelmingly quotable.
And the music. I do have a fondness for big band music and the soundtracks of the 30s and 40s and this is one of the best. From “Knock on Wood '' to “As Time Goes By” to the emotional breakout of “La Marseillaise” in the company of the Nazis it hits emotional chords that puts the film over the top.
This is a story that puts great emphasis on sacrifice for love, war and county. It was conceived and produced at a time when actual World Wars were going on and people escaped to the movies to get away. Back then sacrifice was being asked of everyone, at all times.
Movies like this have been regulated to the history of our entertainment landscape. They don’t make them anymore. These movies started with a great story, created a great canvas, and proceeded to entertain everyone. It wasn't put together by polling numbers or by algorithms. It didn't consider who would be offended or not, It just wanted to entertain and I miss that style of movie making greatly.
In the future I would like to use this spot to expand on movies I love and would love to recommend. From present to past. I cant wait to see where it takes us!
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