First+Chunk

I choose you, Casablanca!!!! "Heres looking at you, kid."

This quote could very well be the sole reason I call all my friends, and even some of my family, "kid." Casablanca is a lovey dovey cutsey love story executed in beautiful black and white in the year 1943.

Casablanca was directed by talented Michael Curtiz, a man who measured up at about 5' 9" (1.75 m) and went under the alias/nickname "Miska." (Dont question my eerily detailed... well... details). Since Miska held the task of visualizing the script, and controlling the dramatic and artistic points in the film, I think he did a fantastic job. It seemed that the way each different character was shot in a certain light throughout the film. For instance, Paul Henreid, who played the character, Victor Lazlo, was shot in many scenes with shadows of bars across his face or body. This was symbolic of his situation in Casablanca, as he and his lover Ilsa Lund, (Ingrid Bergman) could not leave Casablanca without two letters of transit. GOOD CALL MISKA. (you could say we go way back).

A star studded cast backed Curtiz, OH! sorry, "Miska," consisting of Humphrey Bogart, *faint,* Ingrid Bergman, Peter Lorre, and Paul Henreid. Humphrey Bogart is a helluvan actor who stars in various brilliant films, such as The African Queen, The Maltese Falcon, and even made an appearance in The Road To Bali!!! Oh Bob Hope you big moosh. NOT TO MENTION HES THE FOUNDER OF THE RAT PACK. Regardless, I believe we have established Humphrey is a sick actor, but his roll in Casablanca is one of his most famous. As Rick Blaine, Humphrey is a heartbroken, street smart, wheelin and dealin owner of a popular night club in Casablanca, "Rick's Cafe'". He's cynical, he's icey, and he honestly makes chain smoking look so good. It would seem the only thing warm in Rick would be whatever drink he had last downed from the bar. Humphrey does this all with a swagger and crooked smile that you simply cannot resist. Even so, Humphrey is not the only stunner in the cast. Ingrid Bergman melts your heart away as Ilsa Lund in Casablanca. She's a strikingly beautiful female, with shoulders and full lips that can kill. Bergman acts effortlessly, and perfectly reflects her innocent girl, doing whats best for her man, and saying all the right things roll. You nearly want to tear your own heart out when Ilsa boards the plane, essentially leaving Rick forever, even after you saw them finally reconcile. Bergman is a knockout with brains. I WANT LIPS LIKE THOSE!!! I think the writers in this film were amazing. By this I mean whoever decided to tell Bogie to say, "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine," was a super genius. I think there are about a thousand famous movie quotes used in silly situations between teenaged lovers, and dorky film enthusiasts everywhere! **"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."** Rick is sharp with his comebacks,    smooth with his emotional deliveries, **"We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night."** and just damn smooth with WHATEVER IT IS he seems to be saying in between puffs from his cigarette. "**I remember every detail. The Germans wore gray, you wore blue."** Call me corny, Holden Caulfield, but i love all this. I believe the original play was written by Murray Burnett in 1938. THANK YOU. I think now its only fair to give a holla! to cinematographer Arthur Edeson, who had previously had shot Frankenstein and The Maltese Falcon. Edeson put TONS of time into doing meticulous detailing to make this product. Apparently, Bergman had a preferred side, her left, and Edeson payed attention to shoot her mostly from that side. He also utilized catch lights, to make Bergman's eyes sparkle as much as they did, and a softening filter as well. Edeson was not foolin around, thankfully!!
 * Captain Louis Renault - "What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?" Rick - "My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters." Captain Louis Renault - "The waters? What waters? We're in the desert!" Rick Blaine - "I was misinformed."**

I loved this film, I have watched it several times before and after its viewing in the classroom. Yes, this film is most ABSOLUTELY a love story, and a great one at that, which is one reason for its immense fame that it harbors to this day. Even so, it is said that the films motifs create an undertone, one of American propaganda. In a few ways, the film helps to support Hollywoods emotions against the Nazi regime within Europe, while supporting antifascism and the Free French movement. It is in these ways that Casablanca holds some social signifigance.