Casablanca is a true classic, but it is an accidental classic. The Hollywood studio system produced quite a few gems, but no one expected the wild success of Casablanca. It was just one of many film being produced at the time, but somehow this one struck just the right chord. This lens is devoted to one of the great films in cinema history.
The DVD
Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition)
My preferred version of the film. Not the cheapest, but with great extra features. Most importantly, a commentary track by Roger Ebert. His commentary provides great insight into the process of shooting the film, and lots of great cinema trivia.
Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 07/13/2009) 
Essential Casablanca Links
There's so much to find about Casablanca,that it can be quite daunting at first. Here are a few good places to start.
- IMDb: Casablanca (1942)
- The obligatory IMDb page. Cast & production information, user reviews, stills, trivia, goofs, and quotes.
- Roger Ebert: Casablanca
- I admire Roger Ebert as a critic, and he is an authorative voice on Casablanca. In his review he states that: "seeing the film over and over again, year after year, I find it never grows over-familiar. It plays like a favorite musical album; the more I know it, the more I like it." I would agree.
- Casablanca - Script
- Download a .pdf file of the script for Casablanca.
- Casablanca as Great Art
- An excellent article on Casablanca that gives a good overview of the process of making the movie, and provides a critical analysis of the film.
Carrotblanca: The classic cartoon parody
Essential Reading
Round Up the Usual Suspects: The Making of Casablanca-Bogart, Bergman, and World War II
Not only does this book provide valuable insights into the fascinating production history of Casablanca, but it als sheds light on the inner workings of the Hollywood studio system. If you could only read one book on Casablanca... Well, this would have to be it.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
Memorable Casablanca Quotes
This film is brimming with great lines. These are a few of my favorites.
- Strasser: What is your nationality?
Rick: I'm a drunkard.
Louis: That makes Rick a citizen of the world. - Rick: I don't buy or sell human beings.
Ferrari: Too bad - that's Casablanca's leading commodity. - Rick: You know what I want to hear.
Sam: No, I don't.
Rick: You played it for her, you can play it for me.
Sam: Well, I don't think I can remember
Rick: If she can stand it, I can. Play it. (Ed: Please not that the line "Play it again, Sam" is never uttered in this movie) - Louis: Major Strasser has been shot. Round up the usual suspects.
- Rick: Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
- Rick: Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Your Feedback
heathrow wrote...
What a great lens! You made me want to rent the movie again.
Posted August 11, 2006
by JeroenR
Hi I'm Jeroen and I'm a big fan of classic cinema. Casablanca is a fixture in my "best movies ever"-top 10 list.
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