One of the most talked-about movies of all time, Casablanca, opened in Calgary 82 years ago today Feb. The following article, first published a few years ago, looks at stories and secrets behind the movie. Studio in May Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Noon News Roundup will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the theatre: Somehow all the pieces managed to fall into place. Casablanca was popular at the box office, received positive press from critics and even snagged three Academy Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture known since as Best Picture.
Casablanca marks its 82nd anniversary this year. Eight decades later, a film whose stars and studio saw little chance of major success continues to captivate audiences like few others. Never a mother. Indeed, it was a wonder, especially given how the production had started. With the script still being written, Bergman fretted about how to portray Ilsa.
Did she love Rick or Laszlo? Bogart was equally uncertain because he had never played a romantic lead. How do we get the greatest love story Hollywood ever told while all this is happening? When you realize this is going on, everything about the movie becomes gripping.
Casablanca went through several sets of writers. Then twin brothers Julius and Philip Epstein worked on the droll dialogue and new story arcs before handing the script over to Howard Koch. Uncredited was Casey Robinson, who was brought in to punch up the love scenes.
