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114th out of 300 books
—
97 voters
Round Up the Usual Suspects: The Making of Casablanca--Bogart, Bergman, and World War II
It is 50 years since "Casablanca" opened up in America. Little did Humphrey Bogart know when he uttered the final line - "This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship" - that he had just closed what would be one of the most enduring and popular movies ever. Aljean Harmetz believes that "every movie is a creature built from accidents and blind choices - a mechanica...more
Paperback, 416 pages
Published
December 1st 1993
by Hyperion
(first published November 1992)
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This is a fascinating look, not only at the making of one of the greatest films ever made, but into the studio system of the 1930s and 40s and the way the U.S. government and the media worked throughout the Second World War. Part history, part biography, part film criticism, Harmetz comes at the story from all angles, and they all work. She did her homework and also includes plenty of firsthand interviews with just about everyone involved in the film who was still alive at the time of writing. I...more
Fascinating and enjoyable book about-- as the title says-- the making of "Casablanca."
In addition to telling about the performers in the film, it's a vivid insight into its creators and into the studio system of the 1940's AND into the effects of WWII on moviemaking.
I especially enjoyed learning about the backgrounds of the bit players, many of whom were European refugees. It warmed my heart to know that there were real tears on the set when Victor Laszlo leads the denizens of Rick's Cafe in the...more
In addition to telling about the performers in the film, it's a vivid insight into its creators and into the studio system of the 1940's AND into the effects of WWII on moviemaking.
I especially enjoyed learning about the backgrounds of the bit players, many of whom were European refugees. It warmed my heart to know that there were real tears on the set when Victor Laszlo leads the denizens of Rick's Cafe in the...more
The Bogart biography led me to read this book about the making of Casablanca. It was very interesting! And also pretty long. It would have been perfect it they trimmed 100 pages or more out of it.
I loved learning about the personalities of all the actors on set. It particularly fleshed out even secondary characters like Claude Rains (Renault) and Paul Hendried (Lazlo). Also, the entire cast who occupy Rick's Cafe were made up of refugees from Europe. They were an international bunch. And the...more
I loved learning about the personalities of all the actors on set. It particularly fleshed out even secondary characters like Claude Rains (Renault) and Paul Hendried (Lazlo). Also, the entire cast who occupy Rick's Cafe were made up of refugees from Europe. They were an international bunch. And the...more
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Jul 26, 2011
Claire
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Absolutely fascinating. Harmetz beautifully contextualizes the making of this all-time classic movie within the studio system and the wider political situation of the era, and neatly explodes some of the myths that have grown up around 'Casablanca'. Anyone who loves Bogart, Bergman, classic Hollywood or modern American history will find something of interest in this very readable and well-researched book.
Entertaining book about the making of Casablanca. Mostly focused on the workings of Warner Bros. studio and producer Hal Wallis. Not much info here about the actual movie shoot, I presume because it was a pretty routine undertaking. The photo reproduction in the edition I had was pretty dreadful, but Aljean Harmetz's writing makes up for it. Love those Epstein twins!
The Hollywood movie system of the 30's and 40's, particularly during the war effort is more interesting than you'd imagine. Also, if you've never seen Casablanca, you're missing out on one of the best pictures ever filmed. This exhaustively researched book delves far into the making of this classic film, and the cast of characters both on and off the set.
May 22, 2012
Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Snail in Danger (Sid) by:
http://www.sparknotes.com/film/casablanca/bibliography.html
This did a very good job of explaining the climate in which Casablanca was made: the studio system, the effects of the war on available labor, the Hayes Code, the HUAC hearings. There was also a lot of detailed research on how Casablanca was made. I think it will enhance my understanding of and appreciation for the movie. What I felt was missing, though, was an exploration of whether the movie was a faithful depiction of life in Casablanca during this time.
There was also a bunch of material that...more
There was also a bunch of material that...more
Darned fabulous! Harmetz interweaves the taut atmosphere of WWII happening in the background with the making of this film, and curiously, the two actually intertwine! Again, great interviews & photos of the Warner classic!
Great overview of the film studio system and the ways American films were made in the middle 20th century - a system in which producers were all powerful, directors less so, on the set. Although Casablanca is often viewed as an accidental masterpiece, this book shows how such a system could on occasion produce a great film - even though in this case through a series of extremely unlikely twists and turns.
Very enjoyable 1992 book about one of the greatest Hollywood classics, updated in 2002.
Great background on the film.
Great look at Hollywood in the 40s.
Back in 1942, in the days of the big studios, when movies were cranked out at the rate of one every few weeks, Warner Bros. sandwiched "Casablanca" in between "Now, Voyager" and "Watch on the Rhine". Reading this book inspired me to watch both those movies; All 3 were nominated for and won various Academy Awards. A great book for movie buffs.
Pontalba (from the Glens Falls GR group) told me about this book. Sounds like it will be a fascinating read.
Very insightful read into the making of Casablanca, if you love the film, read this book.
Inspired me to write my own book about Casablanca.
May 19, 2013
Pet456unia
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