“Casablanca” 80th anniversary

[Tiki Tom]

I expect that the 80th anniversary of Casablanca (Nov 1942) will generate a lot of enthusiasm and nostalgia this year. It is already starting.

Cinema Classics at App Theatre Travels to “Casablanca” Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Film’s Release

February 21, 2022 At 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, the Appalachian Theatre will host an in-person screening of “Casablanca,” one of the most enduring romances in movie history. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film is set during World War II in Vichy- controlled Casablanca...

www.hcpress.com

 

[Edward]

Madeline Lebeau, who leads off the singing of the French anthem in that clip, just died a few years ago; as of about 2008 (I think she died in 2017?) she was the last surviving member of the credited Casablanca cast.

Powerful scene; there was a cute homage to it in Pennyworth. The only screen-take on 'We'll meet again' that comes close to its use in Dr Strangelove.

 

[MisterCairo]

I have the 75th anniversary set, DVD and blu-ray, commemorative book, etc. Will be getting that out sooner rather than later!

 

[Hercule]

The Harmetz Making of Casablanca and the Critical Insights series volume for Casablanca, by Plath, are insightful and good reads if one is so inclined.

 

[Edward]

Somewhere in storage I have a book I bought years ago which is, from memory, a script of the film with photos of almost every shot in it, wonderful thing. I believe it dates to that period in the 70s / early eighties before home video became a real norm and 'book of the film' was how most people relived favourite films at times of their own choosing. Novelisations and such of films (as distinct from books made into films) seem to have gone by the wayside in the era of home video and then disk.

The DVD format brought with it a lot of extras, commentaries and such (carried on with BD also) which I really hope we don't lose to the streaming take-over.

 

[Harp]

Somewhere in storage I have a book I bought years ago which is, from memory, a script of the film with photos of almost every shot in it, wonderful thing. I believe it dates to that period in the 70s / early eighties before home video became a real norm and 'book of the film' was how most people relived favourite films at times of their own choosing. Novelisations and such of films (as distinct from books made into films) seem to have gone by the wayside in the era of home video and then disk.

The DVD format brought with it a lot of extras, commentaries and such (carried on with BD also) which I really hope we don't lose to the streaming take-over.

Harmetz I loved, will look into Plath. Edward, please dig out that treasure and post all particulars.

Aside from my heart having been struck by Cupid's golden arrow and since puberty being hopelessly
in love with Ingrid Bergman, Casablanca is more, much much more than a mere 'classic' film.
No other motion picture captured the harsh reality of love and its terrible truth so measured against
destined heartbreak, innate self respect, and probable tragedy.