This truly remarkable film was on TCM again last night, and I happened to tune in toward the beginning. It is almost impossible to turn this film off. It draws the viewer in, with an almost Svengalian power. I find the same thing happens when I watch a scene from The Godfather. I can't shut it off. I think it has to do with what critics call "pacing." I never looked up what that word means, but i think it refers to the quality that some films have of being consistently interesting without any letup. And, Casablanca is such a film. The plot is rather complex, but is described brilliantly, and clearly. THe characters are fascinating, and fully explored. The dialogue is first rate all the way. If you've never seen this film please take the time to see it.
Some truly memorable lines of dialogue, one of which is NOT "play it again, Sam." This is one of several immortal lines that never were uttered in film, "you dirty rat" by Cagney, and "Judy, Judy, Judy" by Cary Grant being two others that spring to mind. Anyway, the line that gave me the most pleausre last night came from Captain Renault, responding to Major Strasser's dismissing Rick Blaine as a "blundering American." Says Renault, "we must not underestimate American blundering. I was with them when they blundered into Berlin in 1918." Touche'.
By the way, forgive me for being so self-centered, but I would like to know if anyone is actually reading this blog anymore. Say hello to your old teacher and friend. I hope you're all enjoying your first or second week of colllege. I'll try to write a bunch of essays in this blog to provide you with plenty of material with which to procrastinate during the time you should be working on your essays etc.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I actually saw this film for the first time about a month ago and I couldn't believe how I had made it that long without seeing it. It was brilliant. I loved the dialogue and I also loved how I didn't know what was going to happen next.
ReplyDeleteSome misquoted or non-existent lines that come to mind for me:
"Hello Clarice" from Silence of the Lambs. Never actually spoken. I think it was incorporated in the 2001 sequel just to please audiences.
"Luke, I am your father" from Star Wars Episode Who Cares. Actual line, "No, I am your father".
"Louie, This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship" - you guessed it. Actual line "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"
By the way, I'm still reading your blog.
I'm still reading all of your posts Mr. Bennett, and Casablanca is definitely on my list of must-sees next time I rent some movies.
ReplyDeleteI really miss our film class, because there aren't any film clubs/classes at my school where we could just sit, relax, and discuss movies like we were able to do. It was one of a kind.
Yep, Mr. Bennett, of course I am still reading your blog all the time, although obviously less than during our film class, which was of course about once an hour. I wish I could see more movies or have more time to post, but college is alot of work, and reading your posts all the time is certainly a way to procrastinate and a great way to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteI must watch Casablanca because it sounds terrific, I will look for it in the movie stores nearby my campus and hopefully find it. But it is still great to hear from you and read your film and life thoughts. I wonder how your new job is treating you, I hope well and I hope that it is very well and a new enlightening experience for you.
Keep posting and I'll keep reading, I will always miss the film class, it was a great time and we should keep it going. (I'm copying from Benny there, but I echo his every word.) Thank you Mr. Bennett. And there are people still around that check this blog when I can.
I am sure the usual suspects still read your blogs. I never saw Casablanca so I cannot offer much commentary. It has been on my list of movies to watch but I just never got around to it.
ReplyDeleteAfter about ten minutes on campus I too discovered that I am much more intelligent and better looking than my classmates and faculty.
My American history is a little hazy but I do not think the Allied army made it into Germany let alone Berlin in 1918. Captain Renault is a bigger blunderer than the Americans
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. The terms of the Armistice called only for allied occupation of a small area of Germany near the Rhine river. Berlin was never entered until 1945.
ReplyDeleteKnowing this, I tried to rewrite the line while maintaining historical accuracy. "I was with them when they blundered across the Rhine..." or "when they blundered through the Hindenberg line." etc. does not have the same power as "Berlin."
Interestingly, the actor who played the Nazi was born in Berlin, so he certainly knew the American army was never there. The decision to leave the inaccurate line intact was a conscious one. The fact that the film was made in 1942, at a time when Berlin was the goal for America, may also have swayed the director to leave the error in place.
Regardless, kudos to you, Danny on proving that your understanding of American history is anyting but "hazy."