A personal observation on American filmmaking exceptionalism

By Jack Lyons significant movie produced The heart of the story, Theatre and by Warner Brothers, helped revolved around Rick and his Film Critic explain America’s necessity struggle to decide whether to Member American for entering the war and did help his former lover Ilsa Lund Theatre Critics so with honesty, style, and a (Bergman) and her Czech Association (ATCA) wonderfully patriotic script. husband Victor Lazlo (Henreid), Member Academy of Television Deftly directed by Michael a wanted underground Arts and Sciences (ATAS) Curtiz, featuring a brilliant resistance leader on the run cast, the movie would go on from the Nazi government, to

When the movie to win the Best Picture Oscar escape from Casablanca to “Casablanca” merged the of 1943, also winning Best America and continue the fight powerful elements of love, war, Screenplay Oscar statuettes for against the Axis powers. It’s and destiny in 1942, the film twin brothers Julian and Philip obvious that both men are in and its producers never saw Epstein and Howard Koch. love with the same beautiful the phenomenal appeal or its The timeless romantic war woman. The burning question success coming until it won story made a huge international for audiences was which man the Academy Award for Best star of journeyman actor will win Isa’s heart in the end? Picture of 1943. Seventy- Humphrey Bogart, who was Rick, the exciting soldier of seven years later it still deserves used to playing hard-boiled fortune she met and fell in love a shout-out for American tough guys, convicts, and with in pre-war Paris or Victor, filmmaking exceptionalism. outsiders in B movies. However, the dedicated and committed

It seems the world can his luminous young Swedish leader for the cause of freedom. never get enough stories co-star, Ingrid Bergman, was Rick’s was frequented about romance, loves won already an established and by the wealthy and the notand lost, exciting adventures accomplished actor in Europe so-wealthy of those fleeing or the drama of the human and England. Her beauty the war in Europe seeking condition. Even with its flaws and his talent made them an passage to the safety of and its foibles laid bare, such acceptable romantic on-screen America. Casablanca was a has been a powerful negotiating movie in fan popularity polls stories keep tugging us into this couple, despite their age melting pot of characters who force since the world began. for more than seven decades. intriguing, exciting, complicated gap (he was 42 and she was conducted negotiations for Producer Wallis knew American Film Institute’s (AFI) short journey we call life but 27). Bergman would go on to coveted travel visas by black he had a solid film on his Top 100 Films List of All Time it doesn’t explain where we win three Academy Awards; market profiteers, all under hands when he saw the early ranks it as number three. came from, why we’re here Bogart would win only one. the watchful eye of ‘mildly- footage from Curtiz. Only “Casablanca” is a master or where we are going. Handsome leading man Paul corrupt’ French Prefect of Police generations later would class on how to write a

It’s not only profound, it’s Henried, the ‘other man’ in Captain Louis Renault, brilliantly everyone realize that the film successful screenplay. Most a little scary when one thinks this love-triangle, would later played by charming character was made, not only to help films back in the 1940s ran about it. No wonder the world go on to woo Bette Davis in actor Claude Rains. Renault defeat Nazism and Fascism, about 90 minutes. There is constantly in a state of flux, “Now Voyager”, another Warner never met an attractive female but that it also told a wartime wasn’t a lot of time spent chaos, and uncertainty. The Brothers romantic film directed, seeking an exit visa that didn’t love story that resonated on exposition or explaining best medium for me in bringing once again, by Michael Curtiz. require his special personal with practically everyone; as character development for some sense of understanding The genesis of attention – validating the a result “Casablanca” has and clarity to life’s unanswered “Casablanca” began as the practice of “quid pro quo” that been a consistent Top Ten Continues on Page 11 questions has been the cinema. love-child of playwrights Murray

“Casablanca” starred Bennet and Joan Alison who Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid wrote an unproduced stage Bergman, and Paul Henreid, play called “ Everybody Goes to as one of the best examples Rick’s” which they couldn’t sell of American filmmaking. The to Broadway. However, savvy story encompassed a unique movie producer Hal B. Wallis entertainment value amid the got a hold of the stage-script potent and poignant backdrop and thought with changes it of World War II. It allowed would make a wonderful and Americans, for the first time, much needed World War II to see others through the propaganda movie. He bought lenses of empathy and their the film rights from Bennet fight for a just and good cause, and Alison for $20,000, then pitting the Allies - America, a princely sum of money for England, France, and Russia an unproduced stage play. - against the Axis powers - Many extraordinary and Germany, Japan and Italy. wonderful films were produced

Americans have always during the height of Hollywood’s prided themselves as being a Golden Age when the studio nation of rugged individualists. system was in its full glory. We believe that with our love of Producer Wallis enjoyed freedom, our love of country, the freedom of the Warner and our love of democracy, anything is possible. All we need to do is put our minds, muscles, and money in motion and we become invincible. We are a nation of optimists, but also a nation of nationalists. Brothers backlot that was overflowing with actors, writers, producers, directors, and movie technicians. It afforded him the luxury to cast his movie directly from the studio’s list of long-term contract players, RELIABLE ROOFING Best Quality! Best Price! Guaranteed! NO BULL!... Just 1st Class Roofing! Commercial • Residential • Mobile Homes ALL TYPES • NEW ROOFS The pressure to keep America neutral and out of “Europe’s War” was extremely intense. Yet we still admire the qualities and characteristics of our Wild many who fled Europe earlier to England and America as immigrants when Hitler became Germany’s Chancellor in 1933. The now-rewritten movie VOTED #1 IN QUALITY by Todd Gregory Young • Shingles • Torch Down • Flat Roofs • Sno Coats RE-ROOFS • REPAIRS • Urethane Foam • Leaks/RepairsWest history and those nonconforming individuals who script by the Epstein brothers and Koch depicted Rick Blaine • Tile Roofs • Waterproofing loved doing things their way. “Casablanca” came as a cynical American, expat soldier of fortune with a LOW DESERT HI DESERT along in American cinema at just the right time. Before John Wayne ‘won’ WW II mysterious past who settled in Casablanca, French Morocco running his own cabaret 568-1673 365-0072 on the silver screens of the and gambling casino called SINCE 1987 Bonded • Insured • Lic# 764608 reliableroofingbytgy.com country, this relevant and Rick’s Café Americain. 6 DesertSTAR December 30, 2020 www.desertstarweekly.com

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audiences. Writers learned quickly that they had to grab the audience both emotionally and viscerally to guide them as to whom to root for or whom to dislike in the story. In Westerns, for example, if the character kicked a slinking dog crossing the dusty main street at night, that would be your “heavy” regardless if he was wearing a black hat or not. Character not costumes informed the screenplay. In more modern settings it is the action or reaction that defines the “good guy”.

In “Casablanca”, Rick jealously guarded his past life, opting outwardly to not pick sides in the wars raging in Europe and Asia. He claimed he was just a saloon keeper trying to make a living. “I stick my neck out for nobody” was his standard working class-type reply when the police made an occasional arrest in his nightclub. But Rick; was never personally involved in illegal activities. He was ‘clean’ as far as the authorities were concerned.

Bogart was the perfect choice to portray Rick. He brought his cynical, rougharound-the edges-vocal quality and the street smarts of a take-charge guy when needed. He’s the sort of man that men liked and he had a vulnerability that women found attractive. It may be hard to believe now, but studio head Jack Warner, seriously thought at one time that actor Ronald Reagan would be a perfect Rick. After all, Warner was alleged to have said “we’ve got him under a long term contract.” Producer Wallis said just one word - “Bogart”. And the rest thankfully is history.

And what was not to like about Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund? Her on-screen luminosity was breathtaking, her acting skills spoke for themselves, and the camera adored her – it was a slam dunk decision!

Rick always appeared aloof and indifferent about what went on inside his cabaret and private casino. But he was keenly aware of the intrigues and illegal dealings that took place, but his public stance was just a smokescreen to mask his idealistic side. He ran guns to Ethiopia and fought alongside the Spanish Republican/ Loyalists against Spain’s Fascist dictator Francisco Franco in the 1930s. He had a strict rule of never sitting with his patrons at their tables, but he made sure that Captain Renault always won at roulette, as well as having complete carte blanche in the dining room with a tab that he rarely paid.

At one point in the film, Captain Renault is forced to close Rick’s for a short period, following an incident involving the cafe’s French patrons and their spirited rendition of their national anthem to the displeasure of dining German officers. German Major Strasser demands that the café be immediately closed down. Rick quickly finds Renault among the departing patrons to ask why his café was being closed. Renault replies with mock anger, “I’m shocked, shocked, to find out that gambling is going on here”, all the while stuffing his pockets with his roulette winnings that are being personally delivered by Rick’s croupier. “Casablanca” is a very rich source for what we now call clichés. However, back in 1943, it was just called clever dialogue from a team of very sharp and talented screenwriters.

I have yet to see and hear character dialogue in any movie that so quickly and succinctly captures the male essence, confidence, and power of the Ricks of the world, especially when dealing with women. The ‘discovery shot’ that introduces Rick to the audience occurs about four minutes into the film. Yvonne, a neglected former lover of Rick, enters. She walks slowly past him, seated alone at his private table, and asks him tentatively “Where were you last night?” “That’s so long ago I can’t remember.” “Will I see you tonight?” “I never make plans that far ahead.” Rick’s brushoff dialogue is delivered in a bored monotone without ever looking up at Yvonne. The curt exchange only lasts about 10 seconds but it speaks volumes about Rick’s character. He’s direct, crafty but trustworthy and very resourceful. Talk about a power trip of male ego and confidence!

“Casablanca” takes place during the early stages of WW II and is put in motion by Peter Lorre as Ugarte, a petty criminal who often frequents Rick’s. When the news that two German couriers carrying important documents have been found murdered on their way to Casablanca, the event sends the police and the black market into a frenzy of searches for those missing documents. The fact they are “irrevocable” exit visas’ authorized and signed by French General Charles De Gaulle, suddenly makes them priceless to many interested parties. Ugarte, asks Rick to hide his stolen documents for safe keeping with Rick replying in a steely voice that said he didn’t want them in the club overnight for obvious reasons. His club would be the first place to be searched by the German occupiers. When Ugarte presses Rick, he reluctantly agrees, but just for one night.

As the story unfolds, we also learn via a flashback montage that Rick and Ilsa were lovers in pre-war Paris. Again, a love triangle plot set against the backdrop of World War II just upped the ante of the plot points of intrigue and riveting suspense that viewers relished then and still do today.

Sidney Greenstreet, Dooley Wilson, Conrad Veidt, S.Z. Sakall, Leonid Kinskey, Marcel Dalio, John Qualen, Joy Paige and Helmut Dantine play indelible, memorable supporting characters. All are fine actors who brought a wealth of experience, authenticity and charm to their nicely nuanced performances. When appropriately leavened with light comedic moments, charm is always a welcomed ingredient in good screen stories.

Some movie viewers of today might find the film a little old fashioned with values we rarely honor in our dystopianbased movies nowadays. Many of these films, however, are ‘computer generated imagery’ (CGI) produced creations: car chases, shootouts, and action sequences are now, technically, the “stars” of today’s films. Additionally, many of these films rely on a ton of “F-bomb-laden dialogue as a way of telling the story. Back in the day, moviemaking relied more on actor talent and subtlety of performance and less on high-octane action scenes and movie director excesses.

Hungarian born film director Michael Curtiz was a master of large cast movies and an expert at telling stories and films set in Europe. His “Casablanca” brims with many brilliant directorial touches too numerous to mention here. The screenplay is an excellent example of the collaborative effort between the writers and the director that is so necessary for good films to become great films.

My major concern now is whether future top-tier character-driven movies will become an endangered species. The industry is struggling for relevancy right now; it’s on life support thanks to cultural and societal changes along with streaming platforms vying for product exposure and income. Then, COVID-19 pandemic arrived placing everyone and everything in a holding pattern until 2021.

“Casablanca” reruns, however, are still keeping its audiences fully engaged just as it has been doing for the last seven decades. I’m glad to learn it’s been embraced by younger modern audiences too. One would think an older, senior audience would be its largest demographic, but not necessarily so. This wonderfully enduring movie still remains one of Hollywood’s all-time favorites across all age groups.

Do yourself a favor if the opportunity presents itself: Enjoy one more time the magic of Hollywood’s Golden Age of filmmaking with its memorable moments, dramatic scenes, and nostalgia-fueled dialogue from ”Casablanca” that Bogie and other actors forever immortalized. Who could forget Captain Renault’s memorable “Round up the usual suspects”, or Rick’s drunken lamentation, “Of all the gin joints of all the towns in all the world, she has to walk into mine.” Just sublime stuff.

Then there’s the exquisitely poignant and iconic exchange between Rick and IIsa on that foggy tarmac late at night when a plane awaits to take her and Victor to America. In one impassioned speech, Rick lays out the ultimate rationale for supporting the Allied cause and steps up to the moral plate to remind Ilsa of her destiny. His achingly tender reminder that “We’ll always have Paris…” and his parting comment “Here’s looking at you kid” have been seared into the memories of moviegoers across the world for decades. This kind of romanticallyinspired writing is what sets “Casablanca” apart from other hallmark films in Hollywood’s pantheon of cinematic classics accompanied by the perfect, iconic, leitmotif song, “As Time Goes By”.

It’s the one film that stays firmly lodged in my heart and the hearts of passionate cinephiles and ardent aficionados of romantic films like “Casablanca” forever.