CASABLANCA (1942) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION

[@WilliamBourne-r8i]

Here is a blurb to help today’s younger viewers better understand this movie: “Casablanca is in French Morocco. When France surrendered in WW2, it was divided in half. The Northern half under the direct control of the Germans the other half "nominally" independent under the French in Vichy. French Morocco was also under the control of the Vichy government and thus was technically independent so that the Germans had to operate with French consent. It was all a formality, of course, as the French consent was usually rubber stamped.” As for the timing of this movie, Germany had quickly defeated France and on June 14, 1940, the German troops entered and occupied Paris. This movie Casablanca is set a year and a half later on December 1, 1941. This was a week before America is attacked at Pearl Harbor and entered the war against Japan and Germany. I first saw this during WW2 and believe the reason that it became such an instant classic was that the theme and story truly hit a nerve with the audience members back then. Everyone there identified with the story because, in 1942, the war in Europe and the Pacific was going full blast with the outcome of both was still in doubt. Suddenly husbands and wives, young men and their lovers were being forcibly separated by the war and the draft. If your immediate family was not affected, then many of your neighbors had people either at war, killed or wounded. An element of this film that made it so suspenseful was the love triangle between Rick, Ilsa and Victor. Normally in a Hollywood movie two of the people, the leading man and the girl are obviously meant to end up together. The third character is always shown with some flaw or attitude that makes them an unsuitable mate. In Casablanca, all three leading characters are shown to be equally heroic and desirable choices. Thus making it more difficult for the theater audience to decide who should end up flying off together and who should be the one left behind. Writing a suitable script ending that would satisfy both the Hays Office (the U.S. film studio Self-censorship Organization) and the theater audience must have been very difficult. Cortiz got an Oscar for directing this picture. The flowing movement of the Camera, with its closeups and tracking, and the constant motion of the Actors are like a carefully rehearsed Ballet. Notice how the Actors and the movie Extras are always moving around and how the scenes smoothly flow from one event to another with few cuts and fadeouts. Watch how the movie literally starts with a ‘Bang’ and the Camera keeps you glued to the screen leading up to the Flashback with Rick and Ilsa. The first 10 or 15 minutes seems like one long shot. It is rarely mentioned, but the Editing of the movie was excellent. It was a good thing this was filmed in black and white. It allowed dramatic lighting, contrasting darks and shadows to help portray the ‘Film Noir’ moody effect. Filming in color during the 1940s was harder due to the extra heat generated from the lighting required. Because of the bulker cameras, the added lighting, the triple amount of film, and the expense of producing dye transfer projection prints, Technicolor demanded higher film budgets. In 1942, this movie was well received by the Black Community. It was praised by being one of the first films that portrayed a black man not as a stereotype but as an important character in the story.

[@davidcarter5038]

This film was made in the middle of WW2 and lots of the actors are French refugees. When they sing the Marseillaise, the passion is real and those tears 15:16 are real. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen this film.

[@scalefree]

that song gets me standing & singing & I'm not even French. it's important to remember this was shot in the middle of the war timewise, the stakes for these characters & more than a few of the actors themselves were real & high.

[@chrisdoyle5450]

I get teary-eyed, every time.

[@VETdude382]

One of the best cinematic scenes ever in film. And a cool tidbit that most people don't pick up on, is that Rick is a mercenary. Or, a former mercenary, anyway. It's how he came into his money, and partly why he won't go home, and has set up a new life in Casablanca.

[@TheLeprechaunjm]

I've lost count too... more than 100 times if I had to guess.

[@deedubya286]

@@TheLeprechaunjm Probable only 40 or 50 times for me. I used to watch it every Valentine's Day while I was single. That would be about 30 times right there.

[@michaelaudreson7761]

Madeleine Lebeau who sings the Maseilles was married at the time to Marcel Dalio who played the croupier. They had escaped Paris to South America, having been sold forged transit papers. She returned to France after the war and was a film star. She died at 92, the last survivor of the cast.

[@dsmdgold]

And they escaped just days before the Nazis rolled into Paris and left Europe through Lisbon.

[@frankbolger3969]

I thought the young woman thinking of selling her body in order to make passage was the last cast member to die, two or three years ago.

[@alfredroberthogan5426]

@@frankbolger3969 Joy Page alas died in 2008.

[@frankbolger3969]

@@alfredroberthogan5426 My, time passes swiftly, doesn't it?

[@charmainerichter6954]

Thanks for that additional bit of information. Casablanca is also one of my favourite films. I always enjoy watching it.

[@BeruBeruIce]

This movie is proof that Classic movies are classic for a reason. They're ageless, and awesome to watch still.

[@DawnMarieX]

Yes!

[@fannybuster]

@@DawnMarieX Heres looking at you kid..!

[@Bfdidc]

@@DawnMarieX Yes, please go watch more!

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

Everything about Casablanca is perfect. Especially the casting. Every single character, even the minor ones.

[@johnkerber9578]

This one totally stands the test of time.

[@RM-we7px]

That God Bless You said by Ilsa, what she really means she loves him. Amazing movie.

[@malimal9191]

‘Casablanca’ is renowned and is justly acknowledged as one of the most romantic films of all time but it is much more than the tale of a love triangle. Of course, it shows that the power of love can affect the human psyche, as demonstrated by Rick’s metamorphosis. This film has so many levels to it that it takes many viewings to appreciate them. The main theme is not romance but self-sacrifice as the film’s message to the world at war is to give up the personal agenda for the common cause. It reminds wartime audiences, many of whom have loved ones fighting abroad, that their situation is the same as that of Rick, Ilsa and Victor. The screenplay is so intelligently written. It is a masterpiece of complexity, containing subliminal political opinions and messages all carried along on a thrilling plot with brilliant one-liners and memorable quotes, comedic elements together with contemporary, social commentaries. Basically, the film is politically motivated because it is a plea to America to join the war. Please note that the action takes place in pre-Pearl Harbour, December, 1941. This is the the first non-musical movie to use music almost as an another protagonist, (which Tarantino does now). For example, ‘As Time Goes By’ is a valuable recurring theme and, in Paris and Rick and Ilsa dance to ‘Perfidia’ which means untrustworthiness. Michael Curtiz’s direction is multi-faceted: Documentary, Film Noir, German Expressionism, Flashback etc. He is the master of creating the plot via seamlessly connecting a series of rapid-fire vignettes. POINTS OF INTEREST AND NOTES FOR SUBSEQUENT VIEWINGS. Rick’s initial selfishness, (I stick my neck out for nobody’), is a metaphor for USA indifference. It must be remembered that the events and politics are hard to comprehend and put into perspective for modem audiences than in the actual time when the film was made. The script is a 'State of the Union' address, both for home and foreign policies. There are references to Civil Rights as embodied in Sam and, of course, the debate about America’s involvement in the conflict. Each character represents a country e.g. Two Japanese plotting . The Italian on the tail of the German. American indifference. French collaborators, the British robbed by foreign policy. Even the Balkans are mentioned via the Bulgarian couple. Rick’s actions symbolise the USA in its change in policy from isolationism to participation and ‘….the beginning of a beautiful friendship…’ is the USA and Europe joining forces to fight Nazism. There is subtle direction. For example, Ilsa wears black and white clothes and is cast in shadows and in a mirror which portrays the ambiguity of her role. The ‘La Marseillaise’ scene is the pivotal moment in which both Ilsa and Rick realise that saving Victor is more important than their own personal relationship. It also comes in just as Rick and Victor are about to argue over Ilsa but both drop the issue when they hear the music. This scene is rousing now but imagine how it must have felt for audiences right in the middle of the war when Germany seemed invincible and we need to put it in perspective in terms of world events full of Nazi domination. The facial close-ups used throughout the film speak a thousand words: but particularly note Ilsa during ‘La Marseillaise’ when her expressions show her admiration of Victor’s power and her realisation that this must be preserved at all costs. In any case... there is so much alcohol!!!! POINTS TO WATCH ‘It’s December, 1941 in Casablanca: what time is it in New York?... I bet they are asleep all over America’. PEARL HARBOUR ‘Even Nazis can’t kill that fast’ CONCENTRATION CAMPS ‘I don’t buy or sell human beings..’ CIVIL RIGHTS The Bulgarian couple keep appearing as symbols of hope and determination. In the bar room fight over Yvonne, Rick attacks the German only and not the Frenchman. Captain Renault dumps the bottle of Vichy water to represent his rejection of the Nazi- collaborating French Government which was located in Vichy. Just one example of the excellent and complex scriptwriting occurs immediately after the roulette scene. The girl thanks Rick for letting her husband win and Rick replies, ‘He’s just a lucky guy’, which, on the face of it, refers to the gambling, but, in Rick’s mind, means that the husband is ‘lucky’ because his partner truly loves him.

[@semipalatinsk1]

It's crazy how many of the most classic movie lines come from this movie: "Here's looking at you kid" "Sam, play it" "We'll always have Paris" "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" "Of all the joints in the world, she walks into mine"... Wonderful!

[@tgates0314]

"Casa-blanket" - hahaha If you didn't realize it, this movie was filmed WHILE the war was raging. This is one of my favorite classic movies. It has so much heart to it.

[@jeffdege4786]

The film started production in January, 1942, only weeks after Pearl Harbor. It was released in November, 1942, just weeks after American troops landed in Casablanca.

[@The_Dudester]

Great black & white movies: 1) Remember the Night (1940)-Pretty Woman (1991) was a remake 2) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1941)-Just great 3) The Maltese Falcon (1939)-greatest detective movie ever. Period. Same cast (almost) as in Casablanca. 4) Ball of Fire (1941)-unconventional, but great rom-com 5) Roman Holiday (1953) Another great rom-com

[@tarmaque]

You must watch _The Thin Man._ Another classic black and white film that will make you fall in love with the two main characters, Nick and Nora. (William Powell and Myrna Loy) Their dynamic together is electric, and in fact it was their chemistry together in an earlier movie that caused them to be cast together in this one. It was so popular in 1934 that a whole series of movies were made with the characters, although they kinda decrease in quality as they go along.

[@Ahasveros7674]

All the thin man movies👍

[@michaelgospof8580]

Yes all the Thin Mans-but also ANY William Powell or Myrna Loy movie.

[@billolsen4360]

Ya can't do better than "The Thin Man"

[@jollyrodgers7272]

The first three are a hoot, but yes, start to falter in quality - except possibly #5, THE THIN MAN GOES HOME.

[@tarmaque]

@@jollyrodgers7272 Agreed.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

It doesn't get any more perfect than that.

[@ricochetjack7579]

Humphrey Bogart is one of the greatest, realistic, tough guy actors ever. Peter Lorre (the guy cashing his chips) is one of the greatest character actors ever. Another fantastic film is The Maltese Falcon, it has them both in it as well.

[@chrisdoyle5450]

Also, Sydney Greenstreet (having a "senior moment," but he plays the owner of the Blue Parrot)

[@martyemmons1859]

Don't forget "The Big Sleep".

[@jeffmauldin4299]

Notice two of the character names are Italian sports cars!! Ferrari, Bugatti

[@orangeandblackattack]

Here's a little known fact: They were done shooting for the day and Bogey went to the bar as always. Then the director realized he needed Bogey for a shot he forgot about. So he had a kid, errandrunner, go drag Bogey out of the bar when he was well lit, and took him back to the set. The director said "I just need you to stand on the balcony and nod your head". No big deal right? Wrong. Its only the turning point of Rick's character when he nodded and gave the ok to the band to play the French national anthem--he had made his commitment to the cause. These movies are so good. Suggest "Gaslight" with Ingrid. There is a rule I have: if lines from a movie are still known in pop culture 100 years after it was made, it must be a top 5 movie. Gaslighted is a term still used and of course all of those lines from Casablanca. They transcend time.

[@charlesblaicher7589]

This film gets better the more you watch it. Good on you for taking a chance on these older movies.

[@siskokidd]

The other classic films with Humphrey Bogart are The Big Sleep and Maltese Falcon, both very fun to watch for different reasons..and which might take several viewings each to fully follow the plots. At that point in film making history, the best movies were known for that quality - lots going on to keep you in suspense!

[@DawnMarieX]

I’ll add them both to the list thank you!

[@scalefree]

@@DawnMarieX Big Sleep's plot is absolutely nuts & incomprehensible. still very enjoyable if you don't try too hard to make sense of it.

[@BossNerd]

You stole my thunder - but yes,yes, yes - - these movies are the best.....

[@Ceractucus]

Those two are great but IMO African Queen, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Dark Passage, all to be great films are equally good. I love them all.

[@minnesotajones261]

@@Ceractucus Hell yeah, African Queen and Treasure, definitely!

[@jeremyp.6883]

One of the best black & white movies ever is "The Philadelphia Story". The dialogue & acting are among the greatest, you'll love it.

[@harryrabbit2870]

"I don't think it was him. He doesn't seem like a murderer." Funny though, the actor in question (Peter Lorre) had his big break in a German film called "M" where he played a child murderer.

[@kingbeauregard]

I'm so glad you watched this. It really is one of the best films ever; when they were making it, they had no idea it would take off like this. Your brain processes so much that's hard to put into words, but I think there are things we all pick up on. Rick was burned by love and burned by life, and retreated to Casablanca. But at the end, he found himself and his way again. That's why people love the ending. It was kind of funny that you didn't think Peter Lorre looked like a murderer, because he was like THE murderer in all the old films. There's a German film, "M", where he's a serial murderer of children. You know the Scottish musician Al Stewart? Ever heard "Year of the Cat"? Listen to the opening verse sometime: On a morning from a Bogart movie In a country where they've turned back time You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre Contemplating a crime

[@kathyastrom1315]

M is one of the best films ever made. Lorre is amazing, and Fritz Lang’s direction is second to none.

[@kingbeauregard]

@@kathyastrom1315 Now I want to watch "M" again, but believing the whole time that Peter Lorre is innocent. "He can't be guilty, he doesn't look like a killer!"

[@charmainerichter6954]

M is an excellent movie! I saw it in Vienna in German and so didn't know the English name. I would love to see it again!

[@GrouchyMarx]

5:47 The symbol in the ring is the Cross Of Lorraine used by the Free French Forces at the time, fighting Nazi occupation of France and the war in general. The Cross goes back to 16th century France. 13:13 LOL! They were practicing their English for Carl, but it needs a little work. 😁 Definitely watch it again. Though it's a romance movie it's also a war movie. My mom was 11 when Casablanca came out in early '43 when the US was in the war a little over a year. My grandmother took her to see it while my grandfather and several great uncles were overseas fighting in it. They both told me that the audience loudly applauded, cheered, many standing after Victor Laszlo led the French national anthem, and the crowd really let loose when Louis told his men to "Round up the usual suspects" at the end! The movie came out at the time of the Casablanca Conference, a meeting there between President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, General Charles de Gaulle (leading the Free French Forces for real, and who also signed the "letters of transit" in the movie), and others there where they discussed WWII plans, so that drew many people in to see the movie. About any Bogart movie you do would be a good one, but for a good guide on older movies find the "AFI Top 100 of All Time" American Film Institute's website where you'll see Casablanca there very high on the list and many more, excellent older movies to consider. In color and B&W! ✌😎

[@billolsen4360]

Audiences cheered for the French National Anthem AND when Rick tell the Nazis, "There are certain sections of New York that I wouldn't advise you to try to invade."

[@gitchegumee]

These are the movies I grew up seeing. Great stories, wonderful acting. Try "Roman Holiday" 1953 with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.

[@DawnMarieX]

Thank you. I’ll add it to the list!

[@PUNKinDRUBLIC72]

Audrey Hepburn ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@anarchoutis]

Roman Holiday is fantastic.

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

And the music by Georges Auric is fan-tastic!!!!

[@geoffallen-l4e]

@@DawnMarieX Try “Two for the Road” with Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn. Very romantic… from the late ‘60s… Stanley Donen directed…

[@scalefree]

Casablanca is a very dense movie with many subplots that zip by. it can take several viewings to catch them all.

[@nocatlover]

The ring was from the Free French Forces (Resistance) who fought against Vichy Government who collaborate with the Germans in WW2

[@ParkerAllen2]

Since you asked for recommendations: I'm a lot older than you and I'll tell you the black and white movie I absolutely love and have seen more than any other movie, color or black and white. It's called "The Best Years of Our Lives." It was made in 1946 and it's about three World War Two soldiers returning home and trying to adjust to civilian life again. It was a massive hit at the time it was released and won seven Academy Awards, including best picture. Since I'm so fond of the film I was happy to recently see an interview with Steven Spielberg who called it his favorite film. That's some pretty good company.

[@asterix7842]

One of the best movies ever made. I'm a big fan of Humphrey Bogart, and Ingrid Bergman is one of the most beautiful women ever. So many great quotes came from this movie. At the time, of course, no one expected this to be a classic. It was just one of many films made by that studio that year. There was no guarantee that it would even be finished. They went through several directors, each with his own vision. One director wanted to get rid of "As Time Goes By" and commission an original piece for the movie, but by the time he was hired, the song had been so woven into the movie, it would have meant reshooting several scenes and it would have been impractical to change it. The script was still being written and revised as they were filming. Nobody knew as they were filming whether Ilsa was going to go with Victor or stay with Rick. Other movies with Ingrid Bergman worth seeing are Gaslight, Anastasia, and Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound. Any Bogart movie is worth watching, but the best, in my opinion are The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Key Largo, and The African Queen. If you want to see Bogart do comedy, try We're No Angels or Sabrina.

[@rickc661]

Ingrid has a very famous career , many acting awards, Oscars , Specialized Swedish films etc the last in early 1980 's I think. minor tidbit, She was several inches taller than H.Bogart

[@asterix7842]

@@rickc661 Not surprising. Bogart was pretty short. I'd heard Lauren Bacall was taller.

[@mrwidget42]

One old movie you may like, especially this season (halloween) is, surprisingly, Arsenic And Old Lace. If you are a Cary Grant fangirl (and who isn't) you will love this (I was one of the leads in a high school stage version of this, way back in the day).

[@beannathrach2417]

No more locks for the Panama Canal!

[@mrwidget42]

@@beannathrach2417 One word only: "Taft".

[@scalefree]

I will stop whatever I'm doing & just watch anytime Arsenic & Old Lace comes on. One of my absolute favorites of all time. It'll be one of yours too.

[@anarchoutis]

One of Bogart's earlier films, The Petrified Forest, starring alongside Bette Davies and Leslie Howard is one of my favourite films ever. His performances in High Sierra, Key Largo, and Treasure of the Sierra Madre all are outstanding as well. There are so many films from that period which are still worth watching, it's a shame that so many people write them off simply for being 'old'.

[@bpora01]

"Here's looking at you, kid" is just basically Cheers or cheers to you

[@leftcoaster67]

Renault pointed out Rick ran guns to Ethiopia (To fight the Italian Fascists), and in Spain he fought in the civil war on the loyalist side. So he was either a mercenary, or gun runner to help the underdog.

[@matthew393]

Every time that Rick said "here's looking at you kid" what he meant was "I love you"

[@scalefree]

Morocco was a French colony at the time & France was under Nazi control. Casablanca was a transit point between war-torn Europe & not-so-war-torn Africa. if you had the means & some luck if you got here you could leave the war behind.

[@charmainerichter6954]

Glad that you enjoyed watching Casablanca. It is still a brilliant movie!

[@scalefree]

the ring is a Cross of Lorraine, a region in eastern France & the symbol of Free France under Charles de Gaulle who led the Free French forces & went on to be first President post war. it's a sign he can be trusted.

[@dennismason3740]

"Here's looking at you, kid" is simply a toast to the object of affection.

[@charlesspringer4709]

Golden Age actors in a golden age studio production. Notice how much is ensemble acting compared to now when it is all one at a time talking in front of the camera.

[@briangroboski4751]

There are so so many black and white movies for you to watch: Citizen Kane, The Philadelphia Story, Arsenic and Old Lace, Meet John Doe, Roman Holiday, 12 Angry Men, High Noon, It's a Wonderful Life, Captains Courageous, The Best Years of Our Lives (my personal favorite), Psycho, Key Largo, To Have and Have Not, Double Indemnity, and hundreds of others. They are called classics for a reason. Good acting, good writing, good stories are all that were relied upon. There's no CGI, no explosions, no gimmicks. ✌️Love your reactions! ❤

[@victorsixtythree]

It helps to understand a bit of the historical context from when 'Casablanca' was made. It is based on an unproduced play that was written in the late 1930's at a time when the United States had not yet entered World War II. By the time production on the film had started, the U.S. had just entered the war. So, Rick's stance on remaining neutral in all political matters was a commentary on the United States' policy at the time. The story, with Rick having lost but eventually re-gaining his faith in his ideals and re-joining the fight, can be seen as a strong political statement.

[@aresee8208]

Everyone goes on and on about how great this movie is, yet no one ever says anything about the the director, the great Michael Curtiz. He deserves much more recognition than he gets, not just for this movie, but many others as well.

[@leftcoaster67]

The ring is the symbol of the "Free French", that resistance. The dialogue in the beginning explains people leaving the south of France, to Casablanca. Then to Portugal to North America.

[@j24601valjean]

It is so wonderful to see such an enjoyable reaction to this exquisite film. You included my favouite line - when Ilsa says :God bless you"! It breaks my heart.

[@bigredtlc1828]

Movie was made in the time where movie studios had in-house actors and contract players. This was one of dozens of films made by the studio that year and was not given a bigger budget than the others. Just a regular studio film that just had everything come together in perfect harmony. The script has some great comedic one-liners (as you mentioned). Really top-notch filmmaking made on a strict budget. The airplane scene at the end was made with a smaller model airplane and the workers around the plane were little people to give the sense that it was a standard size airplane. Great film.

[@williamvesey3679]

"Here's [to] looking at you" is a toast to the wonderfulness of looking at your companion.

[@BarnDoorProductions]

The ring at 5:50 opens to reveal the Cross of Lorraine, the symbol of the French Resistance to German occupation. Victor Lazlo was a (fictional) leader of the resistance in a number of countries before he came to Casablanca. Casablanca was an unproduced stage-play by Murray Bennet who couldn't get anyone to touch it until Pearl Harbor happened.

[@0chuklz0]

This is one of the great movies that have been created over the years, completely rewatchable again and again. You will enjoy watching To Have and Have Not as well, it is kind of an American version of this one. It also stars Lauren Bacall, his third and last wife. They stayed married until his death many years later.

[@tenmark7055]

12 of the greatest actors + 1 director of that generation - the jury alone won approx 36 acting awards for various projects stage, screen, TV plus 57 nominations. And by himself, the director Sidney Lumet won 39 directing/writing awards and was nominated for 52 others.

[@TomCat777]

A great comedy is Arsenic and Old Lace starring Cary Grant. For Christmas the 1951 A Christmas Carol, arguably the best version, also the 1938 version is really good too

[@denvan3143]

A great black and white movie is _It Happened One Night_ with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Its a comic love story. I think you’d like it. I forgot: Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn star in the black-and-white movie _The African Queen._ it’s a classic adventure/love story and both of them are great in it.

[@flarrfan]

Queen's in color, but it adds to the ambience in that case.

[@SYLTales]

It's always such a joy to watch you. I've already said it a dozen times, but watching you makes me smile, even when I've had a bad day. Now that you've watched _Casablanca_ , perhaps I'll just shorten it to: Here's looking at you, kid. ❤️

[@aridflesh3248]

When Dawn uploads, it's a great day.

[@DawnMarieX]

Yay! 😁

[@chrisdoyle5450]

Here, here! (Oh, no! Gotta do it... Werewolf. There wolf!) Sorry, folks! 🥶

[@757optim]

The Christmas movie in B&W has got to be "It's A Wonderful Life". For getting the flavor of Jimmy Stewart in a B&W movie ahead of the season, try "Harvey".

[@frankbolger3969]

Two of my very favorite films.

[@retromaven2159]

Thanks, Dawn for bringing back these classic movies for a new generation. Here's looking at you 😃!

[@pepsiman990]

Other Black and White films to see: The Maltese Falcon Humphrey Bogart is in this and it is THE private detective architype movie. Seven Samurai if you want to see a Japanese movie start with this one. It IS October, how about the original Dracula or Frankenstein? The Philadelphia Story a Rom-Com staring Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart. An American in Paris a musical staring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Singin’ in the Rain also staring Gene Kelly and a young Debbie Reynolds (who was Carrie Fisher's (Princess Leia) real mom. Roman Holiday a Rom-Com staring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Psycho Murder mystery by Alfred Hitchcock, the "Master of Suspense"

[@chipsfalling8625]

The next 'black and white' movie should be 'Roman Holiday'... I am confident you'll love it. Thanks for sharing.

[@bubba3223]

The Big Sleep (1946) great movie

[@BillTheScribe]

Two other films with Bogart are Key Largo and The Maltese Falcon (the 1941 version). A comedy crime noir is The Thin Man. Citizen Kane is has been at the top of the greatest movies ever list for decades. There were a lot of great comedies that relied on wordplay because the Hayes Code made it almost impossible to release a movie that objectionable language or "adult behavior" in nearly any form. Kisses longer than three seconds were a violation. It's an interesting rabbit hole to fall down when you have a day to waste. Edit to add To Kill a Mockingbird.

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

In Karl's conversation with the elderly couple from Eastern Europe, the husband asked his wife what time it was by saying, "What watch?" and she answered, "Ten watch." I can only speak for Russian, which is Slavic and consequently Eastern European. The word for "clock" and "watch" is literally translated "hours." When you ask the time, you ask how many hours it is. Since they weren't totally familiar with English, they used English words to fit the meanings and patterns of their native language. They were so cute!!

[@frugalseverin2282]

I'm surprised you didn't watch it with closed captioning on. The entire speech by Rick to Ilsa at the airport is iconic. For another black & white with Bogart, Peter Lorre (Ugarte) and Sidney Greenstreet (the large man) watch the classic #1 film noir of all time "The Maltese Falcon". They were all under contract to Warner Bros. so they made several films together.

[@TTM9691]

Why would she watch it with closed-captioning on?

[@lawrenceallen8096]

Favorite conversation: NAZI: "What about when we invaded your beloved Paris?" Rick: "Its not necessarily my beloved Paris." NAZI: "And when we invade London?" RICK: "When you get there, ask me." NAZI: "And what about when we invade New York?" RICK"…there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn’t advise you to try to invade.“ Dawn: watch "Gangs of New York" and you'll understand why.

[@DawnMarieX]

Ooooh ok I’ll add it to the list!

[@Hexon66]

@@DawnMarieX No, you really don't. It's not a great film. The poster was just trying to give an example (however unneeded) of how tough New York is supposedly. He might as well suggested Escape from New York, or the Seven Ups.

[@TracyII77]

"Here's looking at you kid" is short for "Here (this toast as his glass is subtly raised) is to "looking at you",kid (slang for someone who is younger). He repeats this phrase later in the movie without the raised beverage.

[@billolsen4360]

🙂 Thanks for posting! Great script and dialog My dad was a US Army enlisted man who landed on the shores of Morocco at the beach just a few kilometers west of Casablanca with the allied invasion forces in 1942 so I've always like this movie. 5:48 The ring that Berger showed Victor & Elsa had the Cross of Lorraine on it, the symbol used by the Free French & the Resistance to identify each other. 13:14 In German "Uhr" means both watch and time, lol. Other black & white movies to see: "Humoresque" w/Joan Crawford, "Shadow of A Doubt" w/Theresa Wright, "Strangers on a Train" w/Farley Granger, "Psycho" w/Janet Leigh, "Double Indemnity" w/Barbara Stanwyck, "Witness for the Prosecution" w/Marlene Dieterich, "Too Late for Tears" w/Lizbeth Scott, "Stagecoach" w/Claire Trevor.

[@justcode2822]

Humphrey Bogart was my Dad's favourite actor and this was his favourite film. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen this over the years. Another of his favourite Humphrey Bogart films was The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

[@davidberry4256]

Thanks!

[@bluebird1239]

Dawn Marie, I second the suggestion to react to "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946), a black & white film starring Jimmy Stewart. It is an American Christmas, fantasy, drama.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

This one is so great, I own a copy. The original screenwriter was an American visiting relatives in late-1930s Italy and was shocked at what was going on unknown to America, so started this script. It was subsequently finished by a list of others, but is basically meant to awaken a naiive US population. Some years prior, Rick was running guns to the Spanish in their struggle against the Fascists. Then later he became bitter when she ditched him in Paris, but as things heat up here in Casablanca, it turns out Rick is one of the good guys. Louie (Claude Raines) was always an opportunist who had no loyalties, until he himself was forced to make a split second decision when he ordered, "Round up the usual suspects" - and I'll suggest that you watch THE USUAL SUSPECTS (Gramercy Pictures, 1995), a neo-crime melodrama.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

One of the best black and white films I know is "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944). I don't want to say much, and give away the plot or genre, but knowing your tastes, it's a solid bet that you'll love it. AND it's very timely.

[@markfeggeler3479]

Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, Psycho, Inherit the Wind, 12 Angry Men, Duck Soup.

[@8967Logan]

You are one of my favorite reactors, so it was lovely to have you watching one of my favorite films. I'm happy you liked it, and I'm sure you will enjoy it even more after you see it again. I pretty much have it memorized. Some others you may enjoy with Humphrey Bogart "To Have and Have Not" the movie where he met his future wife, and "The Big Sleep. Other movies "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn, "It Happened One Night" with Clark Gable, "Notorious" with Cary Grant, and "Angels With Dirty Faces" with James Cagney to name just a few on the tip of the iceberg.

[@shawn6669]

For classic B/W movies I recommend "Arsenic and Old Lace", "The Maltese Falcon", "The Big Sleep", "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", "Sunset Boulevard", "Touch of Evil", "It's a Wonderful Life", The Night of the Hunter". just off the top of my head.

[@DESooner333]

Thanks for watching this classic! If you think you like B&W movies, and you like Bogey (Humphrey Bogart), I would suggest you try To Have And Have Not (1944), the first of the famed 'Bogey & Bacall' movies (Lauren Bacall). They made 4 very good movies in the 40s, and this was their first - they got married while making it. It's very similar to Casablanca. Great reaction!

[@artbagley1406]

How about Bogey in "Treasure of the Sierra Madre"? Another wonderful B&W film; also stars Walter Huston and Tim Holt from 1948.

[@LymanPhillips]

Ahhh, Lauren Bacall. So lovely. I dated a girl just because she reminded me of Lauren Bacall.

[@TequilaToothpick]

The music was composed by Max Steiner, one of the greatest film composers of all time who also composed Gone with the Wind, King Kong and the iconic Theme from s Summer Place.

[@hbron112]

Lovely reaction! More Bogart? The Maltese Falcon set the stage for all detective stories. But he's fantastic in everything he was in. So is Ingrid Bergman.

[@badplay156]

Also Treasure of the Sierra Madre and Key Largo. Key Largo has one of my favourite exchanges of all time between Bogary and Edward G Robinson. "I'll tell you what you want" ... "Ok smart guy what do I want" .... "You want more"

[@richarddowns7162]

Black and white movies 1 Bringing up Baby 2 Philadelphia Story 3 The Bishop's Wife (original, not the remake) 4 Harvey

[@petequesada2936]

So happy you were able to enjoy this classic. You'll get those feelings every time you watch this.

[@billballhorn3129]

Thanks Dawn Marie, one of my favorites. So much so that I was in Casablanca Sept 11-12 and 20-21 while exploring Morocco. There's a Rick's Cafe in Casablanca but it's not the real one, the real one was a movie set. I just couldn't force myself to go there. So glad you enjoyed it and plan on watching again!

[@jonbruton3557]

Totally agree with another suggestion "Roman Holiday" 1953 with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. And to see Boggie again strongly suggest "To Have and Have Not" the movie where he met his future wife. And another not to miss, "It Happened One Night" with Clark Gable. These are all very well done and totally enjoyable to watch. [with some of the greatest actors of the day]

[@TTM9691]

All great movies I'm sure she'd love, especially Roman Holiday and It Happened One Night.

[@michaelgospof8580]

-better Audrey Hepburn’s Billy Wilder movies: Love in the Afternoon and Sabrina. And ANY/EVERY Billy Wilder movie

[@martyemmons3100]

"Casablanca" is still the most inspiring movies I've ever watched. When my senses are heightened, I notice minute details. One is the bandleader looking for permission from Rick to play "Le Marseilles" after Victor Laszlo demands for it to be played. The next poignant moment is when Ilsa threatens to shoot Rick for those 'Letters of Transit'. Rick tells her, "Go ahead and shoot. You'll be doing me a favor.". I can feel Rick's misery/pain.

[@APerson4889-g5f]

I love the writing in older films. So colourful and witty.

[@jnagarya519]

The BEGINNING of the film shows a map and explains that people are fleeing France to Casablanca, in hopes of finding their way to Lisbon, and from there to the US.

[@michaelbastraw1493]

"I knew it, but I didn't, but I was hoping." That's refreshing honesty from a Reactor - most stop with "I knew it." Best. Mike.

[@beowulfthedane]

That final scene at the airport was written the night before shooting. None of the cast knew how it would end either until just before they shot it.

[@Kenny-kk6ij]

Great reaction to a great movie !! Another great black and white movie you should try is "Dr. Strangelove". It's a dark comedy from 1964 about nuclear war. It was directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and is also considered one of the greatest movies of all time.

[@rickc661]

Nuke flicks - try ' on the beach ' 1959 I think, the movie before Psycho for A. Perkins. not a single bit of action other than a car race, but...... also the inspiration for the great song by Canadian B. Dobson ' Morning Dew'. made famous by Grateful Dead.

[@noodle_fc]

I scrolled down to suggest Dr. Strangelove, too. It's a pity more people my age haven't seen it, because it's an extremely quotable movie but nobody understands the references.

[@staffan-]

Agreed! I always try to recommend "Dr Strangelove" too.

[@perrymalcolm3802]

This movie ages like fine wine n deserves as many regular viewings as u can over the years!

[@zedwpd]

Black and White movies: It's a Wonderful Life is a classic. Sergeant York is a true story starring Gary Cooper and had a love story in it. No KZbinr has ever reacted to that one and it's great. And Psycho is another B&W classic. Colored movies that are great that no one reacts to: Patton is a long movie but another true story., Papillon is a true story with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, Bridge Over the River Kwai (Sir Alec Guinness, the guy the played Obi Wan) earned an Academy award in this one. And finally a modern movie called The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is very rarely reacted to but is a beautiful movie.

[@melenatorr]

As someone with a father who had a strong accent, I can tell you that the German couple are practicing their English: Liebchen ... Sweetness-heart. What watch? (What time is is?) Ten watch (10:00) Such watch! (So late!) To which Karl comments they'll get along fine in America. And if they remain as charming as they are here, they certainly will. This is one of my favorite little scenes.

[@DerrickMims]

Huh. I always have heard it as “Such much”, which is a phrase I have incorporated into my life ever since first seeing this movie 30+ years ago.

[@69coolchris]

Glad you liked this film. It is brilliant. My favourite black and white film is Goodbye Mr.Chips (1939), which earned the lead actor Robert Donat the best actor Oscar. I hope you watch more of the old classic films.

[@tranya327]

There are any number of outstanding black and white films… ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946) and Psycho (1960) are at the top. Others I would recommend are: - It happened one night (1934) - The Thin Man (1934) - The Wizard of Oz (1939) (partially in B&W, partially in color - by design!) - His Girl Friday (1940) - Citizen Kane (1941) - Shadow of a Doubt (1943) (Hitchcock) •••• …In Casablanca, you are correctly supposed to think that Ugarte really did kill those German soldiers (offscreen) in order to steal the Letters of Transit. Yes, Ugarte did kill them. The Nazi occupiers also really did kill Ugarte. The reason why Rick can’t return to America, is never revealed in the film. There are a great many interesting details to learn about this film; it’s almost as interesting as the film itself. One of the later DVD releases has a running commentary by Roger Ebert, the famous film reviewer from ‘Siskel and Ebert’. That commentary is informative and also entertaining to listen to. The movie takes some artistic license with its story, that we viewers just sort of ‘allow the film to get away with.’ For instance, if Lazlo were such a threat to the Nazis, and (because of that) the Nazis wanted to remove him as a threat that badly, then in reality, Lazlo would have been arrested on the spot, as opposed to being treated like a person with semi Diplomatic Immunity, by the Nazis. Also: If the Nazis wanted to detain and kill *anyone* that badly, then no piece of paper signed by anyone would have been enough to act as a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card - let alone a piece of paper signed by General (Charles) DeGaul - the head of the French army (the army that the Nazis were fighting!) The Letters of Transit are objects that all the major characters in the film are pursuing, as a vehicle to make the story work. None of these things stops ‘CASABLANCA’ from being one of the greatest, most entertaining films of all time.

[@beatleschick1000]

To Kill A Mockingbird. Roman Holiday.. Two films with a gorgeous and wonderful Gregory Peck. A legendary actor who I think has been underrated or forgotten. these two rolls cannot have been more different than the other, but he was great in both and the movie plot is wonderful both.And he is just so gorgeous. Roman Holiday was the first movie I ever saw with an ending like, well, what the ending is like. it’s romantic drama with lots of humorous parts. But that ending,whew! Sidenote:this is the great, beautiful Audrey Hepburn very first movie. Gregory Peck was already a big star and he insisted her name go above the title, just like his. He could tell she was gonna turn out to be a great actress & she deserved it. ❤️

[@mypl510]

Watch "The Best Years of Our Lives" that takes place at the end of WWII. Probably one of my all time faves

[@davidnolen3441]

Thank you. Your First Time Watching of Casablanca is wonderful. I have seen this movie at least 35 times since the early 1970s. I understand it was an “all cotton” movie meaning that because wool was set aside for the war effort cotton was used to create the wardrobe. Might not be true but certainly a good story. I have subscribed.

[@BossNerd]

Casablanca is my favorite movie of all time - perfect in every way... If you want to see more of Humphrey Bogart you might try The Maltese Falcon or The big Sleep. The Maltese Falcon is the more famous but the The Big Sleep is probably the better movie but the plot is considered too complex - doesn't really matter though because like Casablanca you get caught up in the characters. These are among the best movies from this era you will find - if you liked Casablanca you will like these two. You might also try Citizen Cane - the only other movie that can give Casablanca a run for its money as the best movie ever.

[@rbrtck]

"Here's looking at you, kid" is kind of an odd toast that Rick makes to Ilsa, probably in reference to her beauty that he's looking at. I'm not sure, but it has become an iconic line, nonetheless. It sounds warm and familiar.

[@michaelt6218]

Dawn Marie, you said you wanted to watch it again, and you should! Casablanca is one of those rare movies that keeps getting better and better the more times you see it.

[@deckofcards87]

Orson Welles' *Citizen Kane* is another huge classic from the 1940s. My personal favourites from the decade are the rom com *The Philadelphia Story* with Cary Grant and Kathrine Hepburn, and the western *The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre* also starring Humphrey Bogart.

[@rabbitandcrow]

All three of those movies are dynamite.

[@johnevans415]

Everyone in this movie is so sophisticated even the peter Laurie character.

[@t0dd000]

Rick may be my spirit animal, but Laszlo is the perfect human being. A hero in the truest sense. I have watched this film many times. Still so good.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

The symbol in the ring was the Cross of Lorraine, which was the symbol of the French resistance. The same symbol was on the papers carried by the man who was shot at the beginning of the movie.

[@tanisdevelopment]

I recommend "The Apartment" (1960) with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Or "His Girl Friday" (1940) with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.

[@DFWTexan42]

Frank Capra produced some of the best films of the 1930s and 1940s, his best two at "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

[@turbulentlobster]

Back before DVD players or VCRs, my parents took 12 yo me to see a screening of Casablanca at a local college. I was less than thrilled at being dragged to some old B&W movie, but it mesmerized me. 40 years later it's still one of my favorites. Glad you enjoyed it. Here's my recommendations for great B&W movies, from a variety of genres: It's a Wonderful Life (which is probably the Christmas movie you mentioned, but just in case) The Philadelphia Story Dr Stangelove On The Waterfront Some Like It Hot Seven Samurai The General (so old it's a silent film, but it's wonderful) The Wizard of Oz (parts in B&W, parts in color)

[@turbulentlobster]

Oh, oh, oh, I forgot the 1950 production of Cyrano de Bergerac. I can't say it's a great movie, because it's clearly a low-budget adaptation of a play, but Jose Ferrer's portrayal of Cyrano is one of the greatest performances of all time.

[@tommiller4895]

Witness for the Prosecution (B&W) A first class Courtroom Drama with a stunning ending. Incredible Cast!

[@scalefree]

famous lines that are never said in the movie they're famous for: "play it again, Sam"

[@havok6280]

To be fair, Play it Again, Sam is a Woody Allen movie where he plays a character inspired by Bogart. So that may have confused people...