Casablanca (1942)
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The classic and much-loved romantic melodrama
With rich and smoky atmosphere, anti-Nazi propaganda（宣传）, Max Steiner's superb（华丽的）musical score, suspense（悬念）, unforgettable characters (supposedly 34 nationalities are included in its cast) and memorable lines of dialogue (e.g., "Here's lookin' at you, kid," and the inaccurately-quoted "Play it again, Sam"), it is one of the most popular, magical (and flawless) films of all time - focused on the themes of lost love, honor and duty, self-sacrifice and romance within a chaotic（混乱的，无秩序的）world.
Woody Allen'sPlay It Again, Sam (1972)paid reverential（可敬的）homage（敬意）to the film, as have the lesser filmsCabo Blanco (1981)andBarb Wire (1996), and the animated Bugs Bunny shortCarrotblanca (1995). The line "Play it again, Sam" appeared in the Marx Brothers'A Night in
Directed by the talented Hungarian-accented Michael Curtiz and shot almost entirely on studio sets, the film moves quickly through a surprisingly tightly constructed plot, even though the script was written from day to day as the filming progressed and no one knew how the film would end - who would use the two exit visas? [Would Ilsa, Rick's lover from a past romance in
The sentimental story, originally structured as a one-set play, was based on an unproduced play entitledEverybody Comes to Rick'sby Murray Burnett and Joan Alison - the film's original title. Its collaborative screenplay was mainly the result of the efforts of Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. In all, six writers took the play's script, and with the models ofAlgiers (1938)andOnly Angels Have Wings (1939)to follow, they transformed the romantic tale into this quintessential（精萃的,精髓的）classic that samples almost every film genre（类型,流派）.
Except for the initial airport sequence, the entire studio-oriented film was shot in a Warner Bros. Hollywood/Burbank studio. Many other 40s stars were considered for the lead roles: Hedy Lamarr, Ann Sheridan, French actress Michele Morgan, and George Raft.
[It's an 'urban legend' that Ronald Reagan was seriously considered for a role in the film. The Warner Bros. publicity office famously planted a pre-production press release inThe Hollywood Reporteron January 5, 1942 (it was also released to dozens of newspapers across the country two days later), stating that Reagan would co-star with Ann Sheridan for the third time inCasablanca (1942)- in order to actually encourage support for the soon-to-be-released filmKings Row (1942)with the two stars.]
And pianist Sam's role (portrayed by "Dooley" Wilson - who was actually a drummer) was originally to be taken by a female (either Hazel Scott, Lena Horne, or Ella Fitzgerald). The lead male part went to Humphrey Bogart in his first romantic lead as the tough and cynical on-the-outside, morally-principled, sentimental on-the-inside cafe owner in
The
It played first as a pre-release engagement on Thanksgiving Day, 1942 at the Hollywood Theater in
The big-budget film (of slightly less than $1 million), took in box-office of slightly more than $4 million. It was considered for eight Academy Awards for the year 1943. [Actually, it should have competed againstMrs. Miniver (1942)(the Best Picture winner in the previous year), since it premiered in
At the film's beginning, the credits are displayed over a political map of
With the coming of the Second World War, many eyes in imprisoned Europe turned hopefully or desperately toward the freedom of the
A three-toned relief map of the land mass of Axis-occupied
· Light Tone:Allied Powers:
· Middle Tone:Neutral Nations:
· Dark Tone:Axis Powers:
European refugee trails and torturous escape routes are developing - a bold line is drawn from the city of
And so a torturous, round-about refugee trail sprang up.
More important details regarding the setting and characters are telescoped very precisely and economically - information about the theft of transit letters, the political and social situation in pro-Vichy Casablanca, the arrival of the Nazi commandant and his friendship with the self-satisfied Vichy policeman, the crucial daily flights to Lisbon, and the central importance of Rick's Cafe.
[The film's opening montage was created by Don Siegel, later known forInvasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)andDirty Harry (1971).] In a medium closeup shot, a French-accented police officer reads a teletype report to all officers (over the radio) about the Tuesday, December 1, 1941 murder of two German couriers and the theft of official important documents they were carrying:
To all officers. Two German couriers carrying important official documents murdered on train from
The French police,notthe Germans, have the jurisdiction and authority to investigate the crime that occurred in Unoccupied France, a neutral country.
During a round-up of suspects by police gendarmes in the city, the precarious situation of a collection of refugees (those in European clothing in
· The open-air city market, a scene of intrigue, is teeming with black marketeers, smugglers, thieves, spies, double agents and refugees who desperately seek to obtain tickets (exit visas) on the daily plane to neutral
· During a roundup by the French police, one fleeing civilian suspect (Paul Andor) with expired identification papers who refuses to halt is shot in the back and falls dead beneath a wall poster (Je Tiens Mes Promesses Mem Celles Des Autres- "I Keep My Promises, Just as I Keep the Promises of Others") of Marshal Philippe Petain, the dictatorial French head of state in Vichy France. The suspect dies clutching a resistance handbill bearing the Cross of Lorraine symbol - revealing his membership in the Free France Organization headed by Petain's arch rival, General Charles De Gaulle.
· The camera pans down from an etched-stone slogan above a doorway: "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" (
· At an open-air cafe, a dark, wiry pickpocket (Curt Bois) preys on an English couple, stranded in the Vichy-controlled area. As he informs them that the "scum of Europe has gravitated to
· An arriving plane flies over the rooftop sign ofRick's Cafe Americainas a crowd of refugees covetously watches it pass overhead. Among many faces that turn skyward and yearn for freedom in the
But the refugees are mistaken - it is not the single-engined, high-winged plane from
Renault:Unoccupied
Strasser: Thank you, Captain. It's very good to be here...(Renault introduces his aide Lt. Casselle, and is brusquely intruded upon by Italian Capt. Tonelli.) You may find the climate of
Strasser: Oh, we Germans must get used to all climates, from
\Mdx O4@D0Renault: What else, my DEAR Major?
Renault assures him that everything is being done to find the murderer of the two German couriers with their valuable letters of transit: "Realizing the importance of the case, my men are rounding up twice the usual number of suspects." The witty Prefet of Police informs him that the suspected killer's identity is known, and that his arrest is being staged, in Strasser's honor, later that night atRick's Cafe Americain- a gambling den. Renault states that the cafe is the center of everything that happens in
The scene quickly dissolves to the cafe that evening - at one edge of the airport runway. An airport's beacon light sweeps across the exterior of the cafe - resembling a prison's circular searchlight to emphasize the forced confinement of everyone in the city. Below a lit signRick's Cafe Americain, a Moroccan doorman lets the guests into the fashionable, upscale club. When the door opens, the smoky, Moorish atmosphere of theCafe Americainis revealed. For a crowd of varied nationalities, black pianist Sam (Arthur "Dooley"
The camera eavesdrops on various groups found at different tables to introduce the activities of those stranded in
· One man bemoans the endless waiting to leave
· A woman sells her smuggled diamonds in a glutted market to a Moor: "But can't you make it just a little more, please?" She accepts
· In hushed tones, others make secretive travel arrangements to get out: "The trucks are ready. The men are waiting."
· At another table, a man tells a second man about escaping on the fishing smack
· The camera quickly pans by two Chinese refugees speaking an Oriental language to each other.
In a private gambling room, Carl (S. Z. Sakall, mis-typed in the credits as S. K. Sakall), the genial German headwaiter tells one of the affluent female customers that Rick, the uncaring and sole proprietor/owner of the cafe, doesn't socialize or accept invitations to sit with the clients. Class distinctions are non-existent among those living in the chaotic world of the 1940s:
Carl: Madame, he never drinks with customers. Never. I have never seen it.
$? Q~Yd)@q0Female companion: What makes saloonkeeper so snobbish?
;W!\(lV;p-Ge0Gentleman: Perhaps if you told him I ran the second largest banking house in
Carl: The second largest? That wouldn't interest Rick - the leading banker in
Gentleman: We have something to look forward to.
)Ym y5`^*MW0Carl: -- and his father is the bellboy!
Moments later after a commotion develops at the entryway to the private gaming room, Rick argues with a pompous, bullying German banker (Gregory Gaye) who has been denied access. The cafe owner stands firm and pre-empts the bumptious, indignant customer from presenting his calling card - and he demonstrates his anti-German dislike by ripping it up. Refusing to be intimidated, Rick doesn't explain the reason for refusing to do business with him - just a cryptic conversation to deflate him and dispose of him:
Rick: Yourcashis good at the bar.紫金香 Ihi m$\ ph-P
German: What? Do you know who I am?紫金香 LJ8]Zx(yj
Rick: I do. You're lucky the bar's open to you.紫金香6}7^n I RKf:_0I;R
German: This is outrageous. I shall report it to the Angriff.
Italian-born Guillermo Ugarte (Peter Lorre), a slimy North African black market dealer in extra-legal items, weasels his way into the gambling room. He nervously observes Rick's anti-German insult, questions the evasive American's origins - and his cynicism, and then expresses sympathy for the "two German couriers" that were murdered:
Ugarte: You know, Rick, watching you just now with the'Deutschebank'[the German banker], one would think you'd been doing this all your life.
_v RB^a6|0Rick: Oh, what makes you think I haven't?紫金香1Y
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Ugarte: Oh, nothing. But when you first came to
Rick: You thought what?
8V8r.L k,V p(dk/Ck:a8`9e0Ugarte: What right do I have to think?..(hypocritically) Too bad about those two German couriers, wasn't it?
8Df*L[ Y"~&v2\0Rick: (disparagingly) They got a lucky break. Yesterday, they were just two German clerks. Today, they're the Honored Dead.
GxA-g;BH zj0Ugarte: You are a very cynical person, Rick, if you forgive me for saying so.紫金香-^ nh(M rQbF
Rick: I forgive you.
Rick is contemptuous of Ugarte's "cut-rate" business of selling exit visas for half of Renault's price - and Ugarte senses it, with a sad tone. Ugarte explains his plan to leave
Ugarte: You despise me, don't you?
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@ J'j ZZ0Rick: Well, if I gave you any thought, I probably would.紫金香8Y,B0[%Z/H,hK
Ugarte: But why? Oh, you object to the kind of business I do, huh? But think of all those poor refugees who must rot in this place if I didn't help them. Well that's not so bad, through ways of my own, I provide them with exit visas.紫金香 n ?'Lx-F
Rick: For a price, Ugarte, for a price.紫金香 e2\*}%T_1v
Ugarte: But think of all the poor devils who can't meet Renault's price. I get it for them for half. Is that so parasitic?
#e BC?G2]4B0Rick: I don't mind a parasite. I object to a cut-rate one.紫金香 Q A8`{)K,B
Ugarte: Well, Rick, after tonight, I'll be through with the whole business, and I'm leaving finally, this
Rick: (quipping) Who'd you bribe for your visa, Renault or yourself?
Ugarte shows Rick two non-rescindable French General-signed letters of transit out of
Ugarte temporarily entrusts the letters of transit with the trustworthy cafe proprietor. Ugarte hopes that Rick admires him: "Rick, I hope you are more impressed with me now, huh?" With a slight sneer on his face, Rick tells Ugarte that he has heard a rumor that the two murdered German couriers were carrying letters of transit - implying that Ugarte was involved in their demise. Ugarte commiserates sarcastically: "Oh, I've heard that rumor too. Poor devils." Rick compliments Ugarte: "Yes, you're right, Ugarte. I am a little moreimpressedwith you," referring to Ugarte's bold murders to get the exit visas, as well as a little disgust that he would have gone so far. Rick hides the two priceless letters of transit for him, secretly stashing them in the club's upright piano while Sam sings and plays: "Who's Got Trouble? - Knock on Wood" - the song title provides commentary that is pregnant with meaning.
The king of the Black Market and rivalBlue Parrotcafe proprietor, a large-figured Senor Ferrari (Sydney Greenstreet), enters the cafe. Immediately after the song ends, the white-suited, large man offers to buy the cafe - an offer that he has made (and had rejected) numerous times. Rick isn't interested in selling, so Ferrari offers instead to buy the contract of Rick's piano player Sam (Dooley Wilson in his film debut), and then criticizes Rick for his "isolationist" policy:
Rick: It's not for sale.
4X u4tbRyfn0Ferrari: You haven't heard my offer.紫金香`8Q;F%H ^T.i
Rick: It's not for sale at any price.紫金香j4SA+L)k
Ferrari: What do you want for Sam?
\l }%r+L6[5E%HK7D0Rick (looking down and with understatement): I don't buy or sell human beings.紫金香3r;]`h rl+o
Ferrari: Too bad. That's
Rick: Suppose you run your business and let me run mine.
w1^9i pl H*i[a5i0Ferrari: Suppose we ask Sam. Maybe he'd like to make a change?紫金香-o]] Y ta7P3MY
Rick: Suppose we do.
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IBp0_0Ferrari: My dear Rick, when will you realize that in this world, today, isolationism is no longer a practical policy?
Sam is asked about his loyalties, and steadfastly wishes to remain with Rick ("I like it fine here"). Rick is ultimately detached from politics.
Rick is also divorced from romantic associations and commitment. At the bar, a cute, infatuated French bargirl Yvonne (Madeleine LeBeau) confrontationally begs for his interest, but his alcoholic mistress no longer figures in his life:
Yvonne: Where were you last night?
#|B f&B @9l.KpP.e-t0Rick: That's so long ago, I don't remember.紫金香%oH3Oc2F{:{
Yvonne: Will I see you tonight?
7z/L+U-Fa$N9@?0Rick: I never make plans that far ahead.
Rick orders his crazy Russian bartender Sascha (Leonid Kinskey) not to serve Yvonne any more drinks, and then orders Sascha to call for a cab to get her to leave quietly and go home. Outside, the rejected, drunken mistress tells him: "What a fool I was to fall for a man like you." After putting her in the cab with Sascha, he turns and sees Renault relaxing on the front patio terrace at one of the outdoor tables. The opportunistic police Capitaine Renault, who enjoys a social friendship with Rick, has witnessed her send-off. He resents Rick's easy way with women and wryly observes that maybe his chances with the discarded Yvonne will now improve:
How extravagant you are - throwing away women like that. Some day they may be scarce. Oh, I think now I shall pay a call on Yvonne, maybe get her on the rebound, huh?
Rick politely calls Renault promiscuous: "When it comes to women, you're a true democrat."
As they chat, it is revealed that they are looking down the main runway of the
Renault: You would like to be on it?
3C fX,C
D a0Rick: Why? What's in
Renault: TheClipperto
As Ugarte did earlier, the French prefet pries, with jest and jocularity, by asking questions about Rick's mysterious and intriguing past. He speculates that Rick has been exiled because he is guilty of either a spiritual-religious robbery, adultery, or murder. But Rick again wryly dodges and evades his questions with understated wit, confirming that he transgressed in all three ways. He only admits to seeking refuge in
Renault: I've often speculated why you don't return to
%? \-~ Y*Xy'F?0Rick: It's a combination of all three.
#Rb;DV4S WD0Renault: And what in Heaven's name brought you to
Rick: My health. I came to
7S9x@lB0Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.紫金香+s
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Rick (laconically): I was misinformed.
Rick is summoned into the cafe by his croupier Emil (Marcel Dalio), who apologizes for losing 20,000 francs to one of the betting customers.
In the cafe, Renault warns Rick that there is soon going to be some excitement that evening - a murderer [Ugarte] is about to be seized and arrested at the gaming tables for the killing of the two German couriers. Knowing that Renault is referring to Ugarte, Rick vacillates for a moment about where his loyalties lie, as Renault reminds him: "If you are thinking of warning him, don't put yourself out. He cannot possibly escape." With a well-known line, Rick resolutely states his private withdrawal and isolationism from World War II intrigues (and his personal disengagement from each of the characters he has dealt with so far - the cafe's customers, the Deutschebank German, Ugarte, Ferrari, Yvonne, and Renault). After the delivery of Rick's line, Renault approves of his "wise foreign policy" to defensively keep to himself and to thwart any intrusions:
I stick my neck out for nobody.
In his upstairs apartment above the cafe, Rick is also told that Major Strasser of the Third Reich will be an "important guest" at the cafe during the time of the arrest, as Renault boasts competitively: "a little demonstration of the efficiency of my administration." Renault advises Rick to be careful and not be tempted to accept a "fortune" from someone rumored to have enough cash to purchase an exit visa:
Renault: Rick, there are many exit visas sold in this cafe, but we know that you've never sold one. That is the reason we permit you to remain open.
7~J KnKkK0Rick: I thought it was because I let you win at roulette.紫金香2x
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Renault: That is another reason. There is a man (who's) arrived in
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Renault: Victor Laszlo.
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