History: The FULL Story

TIME SETTING: What the world looked like 

The history of Casablanca is a colorful one, first, of course because of its historical setting being WWII and second simply the history of the production and life of the film is interesting in of itself. To understand the latter, it’s important to set the stage with the first. Because there were so many ideas, opinions, and cultures that were expressed in Casablanca pertaining to WWII, it is critical to understand the environment the world was suffering under to better appreciate the thoughts reflected in the film. 

For more on WWII history see FASCISM



THE HISTORY OF THE FILM: From the beginning

The creation of Casablanca was a tale in itself. The story was birthed by writer Murray Burnett, who while traveling with his wife to visit some of her family in Europe in the late 30s, witnessed for himself the refugee movement that stranded thousands. During this trip, he accompanied a friend to a nightclub where a black man was playing at the piano. It was recorded that Burnett said, “Gee, what a setting for a play,” and then he wrote the play, Everybody comes to Rick’s. Jack Warner paid more for this play than had ever been paid for an unproduced play before in Hollywood’s history: $20,000. 

Rick: “Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now, now. Here's looking at you, kid."

The Epstein brothers were the original writers and began to adapt the play for the screen.

Much of the attributes of the colorful characters along with the humor is attributed to their talent. At the time of the flashback within the movie, Hal B. Wallace, Director Curtiz’s right hand man who ran the studio, brought in Howard Koch, another notable film writer to write the second half. Koch is credited with adding the dimension of mysticism that Casablanca is now celebrated for. Koch saw the potential power of the film and believed in its potentiality as the message America needed to hear. “There were values,” he said, “that were worth making sacrifices for, and the film said it in a very entertaining way”. Koch’s artistic and visionary flare is what made Casablanca’s allure legendary. His touch gave the romantic flavor through the trials of Ilsa and her love for one man while being devoted to the cause of another. For more on the writers and the development of the screenplay and script, click here.


This incredible work of art, however, was a bit of a diamond in the rough. In the early 40s, movies didn't receive the months of attention they receive today. Studios never knew if a movie would be a hit or not, only that Hollywood had to keep up its revenue. Casablanca, although it starred famous "A List" actors, was not speculated to be any above average success, and it certainly wasn't expected to be the box office hit it turned out to be.  Casablanca ended up earning eight Oscar nominations and won three of them for best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay. Learn more here.







Rick:   “Who are you really and what were you before? What did you do and what did you think?" 
Ilsa:   “We said no questions."

 

Casablanca was truly a perfect film, and most feel that the film’s intrigue can never be duplicated. Of course that hasn’t stopped people from trying. In 1946 the Marx brothers made a tribute called “A Night in Casablanca,” and in 1956 and 1981, Warner Brothers tried twice to start a series that captured the magic of Casablanca but failed both times. The only recreation of the film that received any worthy accolade was by Looney Tunes. The cartoon was called, “Carrotblanca,” with Bugs Bunny playing the cynical Rick, Tweety Bird playing Ugarte, and Daffy Duck playing Sam. As enjoyed as that tribute was, Casablanca still remains un-triumphed: “As time goes by, the cinema magic of Casablanca will cast its spell.” 









     


   Rick: "We'll always have Paris."