Movie of the Week

I've always wanted to discuss film. I''ve never taken any formal training in film, but I've always has an interest in the arts. Now, I am lucky enough to have a forum to discuss film, theater, music and the arts in general. I welcome you to give your input on my humble opinions.

So, without further adieu, I give you the jumping off point for our journey into the arts...

Film: Casablanca

This is arguably the greatest film in the history of ever. Yeah, it's no Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, but then again what is? I caught it again on TCM last night and I was reminded of the greatness of Bogart, the beauty of Ingrid Bergman and the hypnotic effect this film has. Claude Rains gives the performance of his brilliant career. Filling in the background of this film is a cast of phenominal porportions featuring notorious Nazi-hater Conrad Veidt and great Warner contract players S.Z. Sakall, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. Dooley Wilson also gives an unforgettable performance.

Lightning in a bottle...


“Casablanca” is, by most accounts, the zenith of the Hollywood studio system era of filmmaking. In the early decades, films were made at a rapid clip; it was common for one studio to put out a staggering 50 films in any given year. The Hal Wallis production of “Casablanca” was supposed to be just another in the W.B. lot, but it became much more; it became a beckon of cooperation between cast and crew in painstakingly staging a faux foreign locale on a vast back lot while working from a now famous script that was so rugged the leading lady never really knew which of the two male leads she was supposed to be in love with. Wallis had a hardened visualist in director Michael Curtiz, a contract player on the verge of becoming an icon in Humphrey Bogart, a gorgeous and talented actress in Ingrid Bergman, the top composer of the era in Max Steiner, and quite possibly the best supporting cast in film history.



And no, Bogart never says "Play it again, Sam!"