Kathryn snagged mine!

That after this exchange earlier:
Yvonne: Where were you last night?
Rick Blaine: That's so long ago, I don't remember.
Yvonne: Will I see you tonight?
Rick Blaine: I never make plans that far ahead.

Besides the fact that it was masterfully written, that juxtaposition in attitudes is what, to me, makes Casablanca so powerful. It was a coming of age story. An adult coming of age story. Heck, a national coming of age story. It was a story about a transition between a cynical, self-absorbed existence to one realizing that there are larger principles at stake, and that “three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.”

Obama mentioned a similar transition this past weekend, when he discussed what pulled him out of his self-absorption in his youth. McCain did as well, when he talked about his “cross in the sand” moment. It's a powerful message. Ask not what your country can do for you, and all that. Citizen Kane… Rosebud.

This is probably true. . .although I am not sure why. Yes, good writing . . . but lots of movies have good writing. Perhaps, Jazz, you might consider that as a question to ask?

I know we live in a DVD age, but I would encourage anyone with an opportunity to see “Casablanca” on the big screen — maybe a college film society or rep cinema – to see it there.

It is fascinating to take one's eyes off the screen and look at the faces of people in the audience. People LOVE this film! Their expressions of rapt pleasure, and their private smiles as they speak the words of their favorite lines.

Amazing.

It's also probably the most misquoted movie in history as well, with “Play it again Sam” being only one example of how we mangle it.

Another interesting bit of NON-trivia… many people think that Ronald Reagan was originally cast to play Rick. His name actually appeared on one flyer when the film was first being talked up before production, but it's not true. Bogie was always the pick for that role.

http://www.jstor.org/pss/3685047

Eco makes a very good attempt to explain why “Casablanca” is the cult film to end all cult films.

He noted that “frequently the spectators quote the best lines before they are uttered.” I have seen that effect in theatres . . . watching people's lips move in time to the words on the soundtrack.

How many other films – save perhaps “Rocky Horror” – do audiences know so intimately?

Great post, Jazz!

“Who are you now and who were you before? What did you do and what did you think?”

This line invariably yields “deer in headlights” expressions and, I swear, dilating pupils

Thanks for the pleasant musings.