Today in History: Casablanca

On this day (November 26) in 1942 Casablanca premiered. This is one of my favorite classic movies. It’s built on a love triangle under the threat of the Nazi domination of Europe. Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) is a broken man who has become little more than a shady nightclub owner when, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the woman who broke him by deserting him as the Nazi’s took Paris, comes to Casablanca with her husband, resistance leader, Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid). Ilsa and Lazlo need to escape Casablanca to continue their work against the Nazis and Rick is the only one who can help them—but will he? This movie moves from one powerful scene to another and has some of the most memorable moments and lines in cinematic history. “Play it again, Sam.” “I am shocked—shocked—to learn that gambling is going on in this establishment!” “Round up the usual suspects.” “Louis, this may be the start of a beautiful friendship.” The list just goes on and on. There isn’t a weak actor or actress in the entire cast. If you haven’t seen this one, watch it! And if you haven’t seen it in years, isn’t it time you treated yourself and watched it again?