I watched it on T-C-M last Saturday.
What do I want to say about it?
Why do I like it so much?
------------------------------------------------------------
It's in black-and-white.
It was made in 1942. World War II is backdrop of the movie; and when they made it, in 1942, the people writing, directing, producing, and acting in the movie did not know for sure that the Allies would win the war. Audiences going to see it in theaters when it was new, didn't know if the war would be won by our side, or whether we might all be speaking German before the dust settled!
Humphrey Bogart.
Ingrid Bergman. So beautiful, and such a wonderful actress.
The song: "As Time Goes By."
"You must remember this,
A kiss is just a kiss,
A sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply,
As time goes by."
Sung by the character "Sam" played by actor Dooley Wilson -- he's great; plays the piano in accompaniment, too.
The layers, twists, and turns of the story.
It begins, and as it goes, characters reveal themselves and the choices, desires, goals, and fears which make up both Plot and Backstory at a pace that's somehow perfect.
Courage, desire, disappointment, and desperation.
Make a plot that doesn't let go.
Unforgettable characters.
And humor, at moments (in spite of Nazis). -- "I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"
"Your winnings, Captain Renauld."
"Oh, yes, thank you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woody Allen made a movie called "Play It Again Sam" where he plays the main character, Allan Felix, a guy who's hung up on Bogart as a role model -- a guy who's brave and tough, and confident with women, unlike Allan, who's shy and self-conscious and nerdy.
In the opening scene of "Play it..." you see a movie screen and on it, the final scene of "Casablanca" playing.
Then the camera switches to the audience and you see a close-up of Woody Allen's character, watching the movie in mute fascination and adoration -- his facial expression changing as he follows the plot which he already knows by heart; you see him with his mouth just hanging open in astonished emotion; you see him smiling shrewdly and nodding...
It's hilarious. I think I am like Woody Allen in "Play it" -- I just sit there staring with my mouth open, totally overcome.
And by the way, Humphrey Bogart never said, "Play it again, Sam" in "Casablanca." He said "Play it!" and Ingrid Bergman's character says, "Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By.'" but no one says "Play it again Sam."
I don't know how many comedians used to do a Bogart imitation that included the phrase "Play it again, Sam." There was an impression that he had said that phrase and the phrase became representative of "Casablanca" and of Humphrey Bogart just through repetition.
People "knew" it, even though it wasn't true!
-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment