Casablanca (1942)

Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, Conrad Veidt, Sidney Greenstreet, SZ Sakall, Dooley Wilson

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

In July, we are featuring Humphrey Bogart and four of his best films, each with a different, amazing leading lady. To begin with we have Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in one of our favorite films ever made -- Casablanca.

Among the wartime refugees in French-controlled North Africa are nightclub owner Humphrey Bogart, his former flame Ingrid Bergman, her Resistance leader husband Paul Henried – and a host of international characters, all trying to get to Lisbon, then to America.

Paul Henreid, Ingrid Bergman, and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca

Why we love it: This movie has it all -- war, romance, wit, humor, and an exotic locale. To watch Casablanca for the first or the tenth time is to fall under its spell again and again. Everything is perfect: the characters, the pacing of the story, the beauty of the photography. Ingrid Bergman is gorgeous, Paul Henreid is handsome, and Humphrey Bogart is perfect as the unwilling but convincing romantic lead. Absolute perfection!

Dooley Wilson and Humphrey Bogart

Fun facts:

• Almost every supporting actor, including the extras in the nightclub and street scenes were actual refugees from Nazi controlled Europe. Many had been stage and film stars in their home countries of Germany, Austria, France, now willing to take any work they could in Hollywood.

• Casablanca won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Film Editing, and Musical Score.

Humphrey Bogart, Dooley Wilson, and Sidney Greenstreet

• The music (apart from the famous "As Time Goes By") was written by Max Steiner, also known for his scores for King Kong and Gone with the Wind. Steiner wanted to write an original song to replace the song "As Time Goes By" but Ingrid Bergman had already cut her hair short for her next film, so the scenes using the song couldn't be redone.

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman

• Also of interest: 2009 documentary Cinema’s Exiles, available on YouTube; the section about Casablanca is 1 hour and 21 minutes in.

To read reviews from the time, go the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Ad from Screenland, 1942

Featured Cocktail:

French 75

This drink, named after a French World War I field gun, is “liquid proof that champagne makes everything better.” (Classic Cocktails)

1 oz (30 ml) gin

1 Tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice

2 tsps (10 ml) sugar syrup

Champagne

This drink can be concocted as a cocktail or a highball.

Cocktail: Shake all ingredients except champagne with ice and strain into cocktail glass or champagne flute, top with champagne. Garnish with lemon twist.

Highball: Shake all ingredients except champagne with ice and strain into ice filled highball glass, top with champagne. Lightly stir. Garnish with lemon twist.

Cheers to the Classics!